zerowaste

160 readers

2 users here now

Discussing ways to reduce waste and build community!

Celebrate thrift as a virtue, talk about creative ways to make do, or show off how you reused something!

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

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]

17 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] 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.