I don't see how that would really save energy in a realistic situation. If one is only using 1/2 the fridge all the time, then yes, fill up with water bottles. Better yet - get a smaller fridge. But our fridge is full on Sunday, empty by Friday. Taking out all cold water bottles on Sunday and recooling them on Friday (or during the week incrementally) I think will only waste energy vs. the energy wasted to cool air when the door is opened and closed during the week.
With water bottles one can regulate *when* the fridge works hard, and if one is powering it by solar it makes sense to cool the water off during the day when it is "free" to do so. For regular utility customers like me who pay a flat rate electricity regardless of time of day I don't see how water bottles loading would help at all and it seems to me it will hurt overall.
At night with the door closed the fridge didn't need to run and only went up about 1 degree, but I had it set for a colder temperature during the day and filled it full of water bottles in the freezer part too.
off topic, but it amazes me that everyone doesnt know this.. keep your freezer and fridge full of water bottles, and it will hold the temp better.. an empty fridge "pours" out all the cold air everything you open the door. but once you cool the water, it takes alot for it to warm up, and it keeps the fridge from working as hard. so if your fridge is not full all the time, keep it full with water bottles. You can always take them out if you buy a bunch of food.
you need to just do whatever makes sense for you... Think of the water as a kind of thermal flywheel.
If you're going to open the door all the time, it helps keep it cool. If you want it to run at max then stay off for awhile, it helps.
Since most refrigerators work at one rate, and then cut on and off to stay within a range, this flywheel effect can keep it off for longer.
At home if you get multiple rate electricity, and dont leave the door open you can actually set it to only power on when power is cheaper too.
I use this trick for my freezer, as it starts full, then gets lower over time, so most of the time its more than half empty, but I cant get a smaller freezer or I wouldnt be able to fit everything when I first get it. Its not opened often, so it has its power through a timer to cut on only at night, and it has an override that will bypass the timer to power it on full if the temp ever rises above 32F (0C).
it does take energy to initially freeze the water, but the water stays frozen unless its needed, plus I have a backup supply of cold fresh water if bad weather hits.
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