Can a 40-year-old refrigerator be causing high electricity bills, and how should I measure its consumption with a plug-in wattmeter?
Yes — a 40-year-old refrigerator can be a real power user, so you should measure its energy over a full day rather than judging by instantaneous watts [#15284523][#15467643] Refrigerators cycle on and off, and the thread gives examples around 1 kWh/day, about 2 kWh/24h, or even 0.4 kWh in 9 hours for an old 42-year-old unit; a worn door seal can also make an old fridge run much more often [#15467643][#15284523] A plug-in wattmeter is useful for checking appliances, but its accuracy is only approximate, so it is best used as a diagnostic tool rather than proof for a complaint [#15246577] Before blaming the fridge, switch off everything and watch the main meter; if it still moves, the thread suggests hidden loads or leakage in the wiring, and if you suspect the meter itself the utility can verify it [#15244604][#15244778][#15246577] The heater is also a strong suspect: one reply notes that a 5.5 kW instantaneous water heater can easily account for a large part of a bimonthly bill [#15244778]
✨ The discussion revolves around a user's concern about high electricity bills attributed to an old refrigerator, which is 40 years old. The user suspects various causes for the high consumption, including a faulty meter, outdated electrical installation, and the refrigerator itself. Several participants suggest using a wattmeter to measure the refrigerator's energy consumption, with discussions on its functionality and whether it can measure single tariff usage. The conversation also touches on the impact of other appliances, such as a 5.5 kW flow heater, and the importance of checking for issues like door seal damage in refrigerators. Users share personal experiences with energy consumption and suggest that replacing old appliances can lead to significant savings on electricity bills. Generated by the language model.
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