How to save money with a new device

Current analysis

New refrigerator: When you should throw your old one out

Refrigerators are among the biggest electricity eaters in the household. It therefore makes sense to renew them after a certain time. A current analysis shows that the investment in an energy -efficient device is worthwhile.

When buying a new refrigerator, not only counts the purchase price. The ongoing electricity costs also play a crucial role. A current examination of the comparison portal verivox and testberichts.de shows that energy -efficient devices pay off in the long term.

If you choose an energy-efficient cooling and freezer combination with a capacity of 300 liters, you pay an average of 988 euros, according to the test reports.de database. Such devices with the energy label A or B consume around 101 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. This corresponds to electricity costs of around 36 euros.

In contrast, models with efficiency class C or D with 792 euros are cheaper to buy. However, they consume 168 kWh annually and thus cause electricity costs of around 60 euros. The higher price of the more efficient devices therefore pays off within eight years.

Refrigerators with the lowest efficiency classes E or F cost an average of 741 euros and are therefore only slightly cheaper than models of the middle efficiency classes. However, their annual electricity consumption is around 273 kWh, which causes annual electricity costs of around 98 euros.

Compared to a model with energy label C or D, this means additional costs of 38 euros per year. In this area, the inevstition in a device with better energy efficiency is already profitable after two years. “Anyone who instead buys an energy -efficient refrigerator with an energy label A or B has brought the additional costs back after four years compared to a less efficient device with energy label E or F,” explains Verivox.

Whether you should replace a still functioning refrigerator with a new device depends on its current electricity consumption. With increasing age, this increases significantly in refrigerators. Studies show that devices consume up to 27 percent more electricity after 16 years than at the beginning.

A current measuring device can help to control this. If the measuring device shows that the power consumption is too high, an exchange of the old device can be worthwhile.

Since refrigerators are among the pollutant electrical appliances, they must not be disposed of by normal household waste. Instead, they have to be handed over at special recycling points, such as on the recycling center or in bulky waste.

Many municipalities offer a pick -up service for old refrigerators, which is often free of charge. In some cases, however, a fee of up to 15 euros can also be due. You can inquire about the exact regulations and appointments from the responsible waste disposal company or the municipal administration.

Alternatively, when buying a refrigerator, you can ask the dealer whether it takes your old device with you and disposed of properly.