Defrost and clean refrigerator/freezer coils

Problem: Both ice and dust insulate heat dissipation and make the compressor work harder.

Solution: Defrost freezers when ice reaches >2 cm thick and vacuum the condenser coils outside when dust collects.

Benefits: You will save electricity and have more space. Mississippi State University offers more advice.

Costs: It takes two half-hour shifts to defrost a freezer, and five minutes to vacuum the coils. Don’t be afraid to stick the vacuum nozzle right up to the coils.