this post was submitted on 11 Jan 2025
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Zero-wasting the cold: Does anyone ever freeze blocks of ice outside in the winter and let them defrost in the fridge/freezer? (dubvee.org)
submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Curious if this would have any noticeable energy savings. Basically thinking of taking old semi-disposable plastic containers (the ones that like deli meat, butter, etc come in), freezing them outdoors, and letting them defrost (absorb heat) in the fridge/freezer. Basically back to the "ice box" model.

Anybody doing that and/or have any results to share? Mostly curious if it would be worth the effort.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Ah yeah, $30/yr doesn't seem like a lot from a strictly money-saving perspective. I guess if electricity here was more expensive (it's getting there lol) or if I was on a tighter power budget (e.g. offgrid PV + battery), it might be worth it. Maybe I'll just save that trick for when the power's out.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Also isn't a fridge technically a heater for the space outside of the fridge? So in the winter it does 2 things at once?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Yep. And with the ice keeping it cool, the compressor would run less and thus less waste heat (which is useful in the winter). Not sure how much that adds to the overall heat in the house, but it definitely contributes.

[–] Sestren 3 points 1 week ago

Given that most of the temperature differential is due to heat transfer, it's really almost completely irrelevant. A refrigerator doesn't generate cold. It moves heat out and insulates. The only actual "gain" would be from the residual heat generated by the inefficiency of the electrical components. You'd probably negate any benefits just by opening the door to the house to get the ice.