Households urged to fill freezers to prepare for power cuts this winter | UK | News
UK households are being urged to stock their freezers to prepare for possible power cuts and save on bills this winter.
The colder months always put an additional strain on home finances due to turning on the heating, while more time spent indoors means increased use of other appliances. Things like TVs, games consoles and tumble dryers will likely be used more frequently this time of year, adding to your monthly bills. Ofgem’s energy price cap rose by 2% this month to £1,755 a year for a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales, but this cap is not the absolute maximum price you will pay for energy as it depends on usage; So the more you use, the more you pay.
But an easy way to save on energy bills and prepare your home for a possible power outage is to keep your freezer stocked, experts say.
A full freezer is much more energy efficient than an empty one and is better equipped to stay cold during a power outage. This is because frozen food essentially creates a solid thermal mass that retains cold temperature for much longer.
When there is less free space in your freezer, it becomes harder for warm air to circulate, so the temperature inside rises more slowly and food items insulate each other, helping to maintain cold temperatures longer.
During a power outage, a full freezer can keep food frozen for up to 48 hours, while a half-full freezer can only maintain its temperature for about 24 hours.
at Anthony Mellor Swinton Home Insurance is urging households to focus on their freezers this winter as a way to save money and prepare for power outages.
He said: “Ice buildup causes your freezer’s motor to work harder and longer to maintain its temperature, consuming more electricity. “In contrast, a defrosted freezer operates more efficiently and uses less energy.
“To keep your machine working well, defrost it when frost formation covers a large area and exceeds 0.6 cm in thickness.
“Keeping your freezer full is also more energy efficient than an empty one. A full freezer minimizes the amount of warm air that can get in when you open the freezer door, plus the frozen contents help cool the hot air that gets in. This means less energy is required to bring the temperature back down.
“If that wasn’t a big enough incentive, according to the Food Standards Agency, if you have a catastrophic power outage, a half-full freezer can keep food safely for 24 hours, but if it’s full, double that time.”
