Ice blocks make fridges less 'stupid'

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PeteC
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Ice blocks make fridges less 'stupid'

Post by PeteC »

This would be a great idea for here, or for anywhere. Although Thailand doesn't have peak hour and non-peak hour electric rates to my knowledge, the general savings could be significant. Interesting that the world turns to old technology in some cases. Pete :cheers:

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Re: Ice blocks make fridges less 'stupid'

Post by Pleng »

I'm no expert here, but freezing up blocks of ice every night, and letting them thaw through the day time sounds incredibly energy inefficient. It seems to me that, though you'll be using less energy at peak times, you'll still be using more energy in total.
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Re: Ice blocks make fridges less 'stupid'

Post by pharvey »

Off "on a tangent", but just the title reminded me of whilst working in India, seeing huge blocks of ice being transported on the back of trucks..... These things were say 3ft x 3ft and 2ft deep - normally with the delivery/"carry-boy" sleeping on top!! :roll:

God only know's what they were used for - hopefully not for the ice in a G&T!! :laugh:

You never know, could have been for the "Indian Intelligent Fridge" :thumb:

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Re: Ice blocks make fridges less 'stupid'

Post by PeteC »

I'm not sure either if the offset would be negative or positive when freezing the reservoir of water. Our freezer is set at -18 as default. Put in ambient water at lets say 20 and we would have to see the time to freeze it and if and how long the compressor ran to bring the water down to temperature. I often put a half dozen 500ml plastic water bottles in the freezer to chill them fast, and the compressor never turns on. A lot of the savings would also depend upon how well insulated the reservoir is. Pete :cheers:
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Re: Ice blocks make fridges less 'stupid'

Post by Terry »

The best way to keep your electricity bills as low as possible w.r.t. fridges and freezers, is to always keep them as full as possible. Basic laws of thermodynamics and heat transfer say that keeping your fridges well insulated, with doors closed properly, and the volume filled with cold produce, will always save you money in bills.
If you have no stock, then fill the spaces with empty cardboard boxes or plastic food containers. This preserves the mass effect of the cold.
1) It is totally stupid to turn off a freezer at night - to save electric, you spend as much or more the next day to regain the cold.
2) The block of ice in the report mentioned is only valid when you have enlightened electricity suppliers who have cheaper tariffs at night - as Pete has said, it does not happen here.

It could be a bit of an improvement if you start talking solar power systems or other 'OFF-grid' power supplies, but if you are paying the MEA or PEA and are ON-Grid then forget it.
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Re: Ice blocks make fridges less 'stupid'

Post by Nereus »

The following has been in use for years in outback Australia, particularly on remote stations that only have their own power generators. The usual practice is to only run the generator at night time, or if it is required for some specific purpose during the day.

These things work really well, and wasting water is not part of it.

http://www.ozefridge.com.au/?page_id=22
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Re: Ice blocks make fridges less 'stupid'

Post by Pleng »

Terry wrote:The best way to keep your electricity bills as low as possible w.r.t. fridges and freezers, is to always keep them as full as possible.
Not as full as possible. You surely need at least some room room for the cold air which is being generated to circulate??
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Re: Ice blocks make fridges less 'stupid'

Post by aileensiddiqui »

It sounds like using less energy at peak times, you'll still be using more energy in total.
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