Can You use the Freezer (in emergency) to cool hot apartment?

[shengmei]

Re: Can You use the Freezer (in emergency) to cool hot apartment?

The thing is that fridges are actually very energy-inefficient. Not only does more heat comes out of the condensation coil, it also wastes the tremendous amount of energy due to the replacement of old-fashioned cooling agents with environmentally-friendly but less efficient ones.

I would say to just walk to the nearest store and stay there all day long. Hubby and I stay at a bookstore. We haven't had to buy any books or magazines this summer since we read them all in the bookstore.

[shengmei]

Re: Can You use the Freezer (in emergency) to cool hot apartment?

A much better option than using the refrigerator for cooling is to replace all the lightbulbs with energy-efficient ones.

I did that and my apartment went from 84 to 82.

[asmom]

Re: Can You use the Freezer (in emergency) to cool hot apartment?

No one has mentioned that elderly people are less able to recognize high temperatures, that is why they wear sweaters in June! Also, they do not sweat as much and they certainly don't drink as much as they should so they get dehydrated and that is what is behind a lot of the elderly deaths in summertime. I say this to say that it doesn't matter what means you have available to cool them, you have to get them to use it first!

[DayByDay]

Re: Can You use the Freezer (in emergency) to cool hot apartment?

No one has mentioned that elderly people are less able to recognize high temperatures, that is why they wear sweaters in June!

My in-laws came over for dinner two days ago (yesterday the temperature was 108). MIL (age 84) was wearing long black polyester pants with a long-sleeved black polyester shirt! She didn't want any ice water and asked for a cup of coffee instead. I was so worried about her and felt awful that our a/c is broken. I put a little fan on the table directed right at FIL & MIL.

[flash]

Re: Can You use the Freezer (in emergency) to cool hot apartment?

Even if the refrigerator didn't work on heat exchange, the motor is not designed to run continuously. Also the coils will also become so coated in ice that it will fail to run. Air conditioners rely on fans to push the air through, which a refrigerator doesn't have. Not enough cooling capacity.