Retiring a second refrigerator or freezer can result in savings of up to $150 a year on energy bills and many people continue to use their older refrigerators and freezers as secondary units even after they buy a new one. While today's units are much more energy efficient, refrigerators and freezers manufactured before 1990 can use as much as 1,500 kilowatt hours (kWh) a year, or 12.5 percent of the 12,000 kWh used annually by the average Efficiency Vermont customer.
Old refrigerators and freezers are not bio-degradable. This is why states like Vermont, California, and Illinois have laws that prohibit dumping these appliances into landfills. Most Vermont residents can dispose of old appliances at their local solid waste district for a nominal fee. Occasionally, solid waste districts hold events when fees are waived. Contact your local solid waste district for more information.
Efficiency Vermont offered a seasonal second refrigerator recycling program in 2011. The program helped offset the cost of pick-up and recycling. This program is not being offered in 2012. For more information, contact Efficiency Vermont at 888-921-5990.