Nicaragua Forum

elcodo
Joined 2013
Posts: 6

10 years ago

Hot Climate Cut Refrigerator Bill In Half

10 years ago

Sorry this isn't an infomercial. You read it, you're on your own :)

This isn't some gyro gearloose assumption I have done this modification to four different kitchens with four different refrigerators.

First of all you need to cut holes through an outside wall behind the refrigerator. No outside wall? This won't work as well...

The holes need to be 4 X 6 inches. Expanded metal with a bug screen slapped on top should work fine. But use care you don't have a hole to the outside of the house that will let in water during las aguas.

Place one hold as low as practical, the one above, WAY above - near the ceiling if possible.

Now you have to build some form of barrier to ENCLOSE the refrigerator, seal it floor to ceiling. I used plywood strips for the final trim, allowing them to be removed to move the refrigerator to be moved and the floor cleaned. You do not need to box in the full depth of the refrigerator just the last (against the wall) two or three inches. Foam rubber can act as a gasket where needed.

Why does this work? Mother Nature! It's called convection. Cooler air comes in the bottom because air heated by the refrigerator condenser rises, and of course exits out the top vent. Naturally, no fan needed.

Chopped the eqvt of ten dollars off my power bill, and reduced kitchen temperatures most noticeably. I can't speak yet for the less-running-less-wearing-out part.

This works good in hot country. It won't do a darned thing in cool country. Hot is perhaps 82F and above.

Make the mesh screen choice a strong mesh. Animals, bugs, etc.

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