While trying to take minor steps towards reducing the electricity consumption at our home, on an online forum (sorry can't recall the original source) I read that if the oven and the fridge are close to each other, the heat from the oven will make the fridge work harder and therefore use more energy — this make immediate sense to me!
At home we have a setup where these two devices are close to each other, and there is no good isolation from the oven towards the fridge. What is the best way that I can isolate the heat radiating from the oven?
I thought of using styrofoam between the two devices, other suggestions included a big metal (steel) plate? Any other alternatives? What's best?
Best Answer
A metal sheet, suspended between the surface of the stove and the fridge, would be safest, simplest and cheapest. Consider, though, how long the payback would be to the investment ROI): how often does the oven run, how much does it raise the temperature of the side of the 'fridge, and how much does electricity cost?
From the environmental standpoint, consider the energy used in fabricating a sheet of aluminum, and how much energy is saved.
For safety, do not apply insulation in a manner that would cause more heat to accumulate on a wall behind or next to the oven.