So we have a GE Refrigerator that's around 35-40 years old. Purchases between 1983-1985.
The fridge has not died yet. Yes i know, GE makes amazing stuff. And i was really thinking about replacing it with something much more energy efficient.
My problem is I can't find ANY model or serial numbers, or any kind of documentation of any kind. I own a kill-a-watt meter, but the plug is in a position that I can't reach, and I'm unwilling to shift around the entire area to get an accurate reading of how many watts this fridge is taking on a daily basis.
My question is, does anyone have a ball park estimate on what refrigerators from this time period took in wattage. Is it really worth replacing the unit even though it's still working?
I can take a picture of the fridge if it's needed.
ps. This is a secondary fridge, and I'm planning on replacing it with a $500 GE fridge current being sold at a local hardware store.
Best Answer
'ben rudgers' is right. There's no analytic solution to your question. A 35 year old fridge is unlikely to operate anywhere near its original design's parameters. You'll have to address this experimentally.
Using a Kill-A-Watt would be ideal. An alternative might be to observe the power consumption of the entire house, with the fridge turned off (turn thermostat off or to the highest temp). Then open the fridge door until you hear the compressor start and observe the power consumption again.
On older whole house power meters, a small metal wheel spun faster when the power consumption went up. If you counted the revolutions per minute with the fridge off, then again with the fridge on, that difference would reflect only the fridge's power consumption. Then you could turn off the fridge and turn on an appliance whose power consumption you know (like a 100 watt lamp or 500 watt hair dryer) to see how fast that makes the meter spin. You could calculate the fridge's wattage based on the ratio of the two spin rates per minute.
I assume that modern house power meters have something similar to that spinning wheel. Or maybe you could log into your power provider's website to check your house's current power consumption and monitor such experimental changes via their virtual meter on the site?