Explorer Products? [RE-wrenches]

[Backwoods Solar Electric Systems]

On the question of efficiency in refrigerators and freezers, there are two
criterion to influence whether I recommend a super solar Sunfrost or a good
energy star.  One, if absolute energy savings is the goal, then go to a
small refrigerator and freezer, which is usually available super-insulated
too, like the Conserv/ Vestfrost chest freezer at 7.5 cu ft.  This is the
only way you can keep the daily usage to 250 - 800 watt hours. This can be
essential when either budget, or local climate conditions mandate keeping
electrical consumption low.

However if the goal is to have  larger freezer (or refrigerator) primarily,
whatever the cost, and there is power to support it, the special solar
models lose their advantage.  If for example, a customer buys TWO Conserv
7.5 cu ft chest freezers, for total 15 cu ft, the surface area of two
separate boxes is so large that a 15 cu ft freezer from sears (Kenmore model
18551) is just about equal in energy use to two 7.5 cu ft super insulated
freezers.  It's a crime the big one isn't super insulated, or it could
clearly beat the two small Conserv boxes,  but even as it is the geometry
lets this type unit run on about 437 kWH/year or 1.2 per day.  And the thing
costs around $480, as opposed to $700 x 2 = $1400 for the Conserv units.

Steve Willey   www.backwoodssolar.com
Backwoods Solar Electric Systems



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