I’m looking for a new low energy using fridge as my first step towards a sustainable house and I’m puzzled by the information in the second edition and the subsequent outcome of my search for such a fridge.

On p238, you suggest buying a fridge that has energy consumption of less than 500 Wh per day.

On p58, Peter Reefman is quoted as buying a ‘mid-sized 5-star Electrolux which [is] rated at 355kWh per year’ or 977 Wh per day. My research with retailers and on the E3 Equipment Energy Efficiency website (http://reg.energyrating.gov.au) confirms that such mid-sized Electrolux fridges of around 430-450l capacity will use around 870-1110 Wh per day depending on whether they have top-mounted or bottom-mounted motors respectively – single door fridges are even more energy efficient but don’t achieve 500 Wh per day energy consumption. I note that Peter was able to reduce the energy use of his fridge to 650 Wh per day by enclosing it in a ventilated cupboard.

So I would very much like to know of the brand and model of any fridge that can operate on 500 Wh per day. Or is your recommendation for a fridge, small or mid-sized, but enclosed in a ventilated cupboard?

Thanks in advance

Michael