Published on
July 17, 2008 in
House.
Well we bought a chest freezer about a month ago to test out our idea of converting one into a fridge via a temperature controller. We bought a 10cf model that we will be using as an actual deep freeze when we move in for testing so that if we decide to go a different route we can still use the freezer. The actual freezer we will buy for our fridge will be more likely a 12-15cf model.
I put an energy meter on the freezer yesterday to see what kind of energy usage we were at and over a hot 24 hour period with a relatively empty fridge we came up with 0.25KW/H. That equals 91 KW/H per year! I think it could be lessened by the fact that the wire for the temp sensor is just run in under the lid causes a small air leak.
It definitely firms our resolve that a chest fridge is the way to go!
As you know, we first read about converting chest freezers into fridges right here on your site a few months ago, which inspired us to try it ourselves.
We recently purchased a relatively new but used chest freezer, as well as ordered a thermometer thingamajig from “Johnson Controls” (we wanted to make an even more energy efficient one using parts supplied by mtbest.net, but realized that we needed the fridge to work ASAP and opted for the ready made gadget).
Thus far our fridge is working well. I very much like the layout of the ‘fridge’, although it took a little getting used to. My only complaint is that on the inside, at the bottom, it tends to get quite moist–water sitting on the bottom. It’s not too bad though; every time we get groceries I give it a quick wipe to soak up any excess water. (Wow, that makes me sound very organized, and I am anything but. We haven’t swept the floors in MONTHS!)
Anyway, I am interested to read what type of temperature controller you will get, and even more interested in your energy efficiency stats on the subject!
We bought a Brewer’s Edge Digital Temperature Controller II:
http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/kegerator-conversion-kits-pid-E54.html
It was relatively simple, has the option in failure mode to default on or off, has settings for temperature setting, delay, temperature offset, etc…
So far after a week or so we are averaging 0.25 – 0.30 KWH per day in 25+ degrees celcius weather and with a small gap in the magnetic seal in the freezer.
I don’t know that the mtbest.net controller would be any more energy efficient, as long as the temperature controller maintains the temp in the freezer correctly the controller itself should have little bearing.