On Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 12:06:32 PM UTC-5, croy wrote:
On Mon, 29 Jan 2018 12:39:16 -0800 (PST), wrote:

On Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 7:09:00 PM UTC+3:30, blueman wrote:
I have always wondered about this one...
Refrigerators are one of the top energy consumers in homes.
In Northern climates, the outside temperature is colder than indoor
temperature at least 6 months of the year.

Why aren't they designed with "heat" exchangers to benefit from cool if
not frigid external air?

Even in warm climates (or summers) why isn't the same principle used to
vent the warm air from the compressor & coils outside rather than
loading the AC?

Presumably this could all be done by putting the evaporator coils
outside which would in turn decrease (or eliminate if cold enough) the
draw on the compressor during winter months.

Of course, installation might be a little more expensive, but with all
the focus on green-this and green-that why isn't this being done?

I think solution would be design of system like central heating in buildings in order to decrease expense of fridge with outdoor condenser

I've wondered about this for decades, although not seriously enough to go anyplace with it. But
I think you're on a good track, and I think it will happen.


This is just beyond stupid. It would not decrease the cost of a
refrigerator, it would INCREASE the cost. What do you people think
it costs to run a modern refrigerator? They draw 90 watts, and that's
only when the compressor is running which is a fraction of the time!
They cost less than $100 a year to run. How much is the added cost
of a split system, running pipes, electric, all that BS going to add?
And in winter, the fridge energy is adding a small amount to help heat
the house too. Amazing how people can go fixing problems that don't
exist even after all the above has been covered in this thread many
times.





The worst thing about refridgerators in the USA is the Energy Star group pressuring folks to
ditch their old, inefficient units and buy new ones... every week or so, apparently.


What pressure? Are they putting a gun to your head? I do see utilities
occasionally offering some rebate incentives if you want to take advantage
of them.




And they
are quick to destroy the old units, effectively eliminating the used appliance market, and
forcing even the poorest folks to buy new.

--
croy

Plenty of used appliances of all kinds, including refrigerators at the
local used appliance stores here.