[Greenbuilding] Small Energy Star Refrigerators

[Ken Beiser]

I lived on a 30 ft sailboat in the tropics where almost all refrigerators open on the top.  They are the most energy efficient but you need to keep them organized to reduce frustration.  I can see living with a marine system in my future home.  They are frequently 12 volt compressors that can be module and I could make the box any design I like and super-insulate it. 

Here in Montana, I find it so frustrating that my refridge sits in my house which I am heating (with my woodstove) and then the heat pump in the refridge has to use heated air to "cool" my box.  For about 4 months of the year, our refridge shouldn't cost anything here and the other 8 months could easily use half the energy we presently use.  It will take a major shift in design but it could be done.   Has anyone ever try it?

Ken
Whitefish, Montana