If you haven't gone out to buy that new Energy Star refrigerator yet, GO! But in the meantime, here are a few tips to keep that older refrigerator efficient until you get that shiny new eco-friendly one:

1. Just as your mother always told you, Keep that refrigerator door shut!!! Every time that door is opened, the refrigerator can lose up to 30% of its cooled air, and that means it has to work that much harder and spend that much more energy to cool it down again (that goes for the heated air in the oven as well). So listen to the wise words of your mother and do the right thing.
2. Be sure to check the seal(s) on your refrigerator and freezer door(s). This can be easily done with a dollar bill. Just shut the door on a dollar bill and if you can easily pull out the bill then it is time to replace the gaskets. Replacement kits can be purchased from local appliance dealers or home centers. Weak seals on your refrigerator and freezer doors can lead to significant energy loss.
3. About twice a year vacuum those refrigerator coils to keep that compressor running efficiently. It's a dirty job, but it will save you money and energy costs.
4. Don't make your refrigerator too cold, try to keep it at around 36 - 38ºF. The same goes for the freezer, which should be kept at around 0 - 5ºF.
5. Try as hard as you can to resist the temptation of overloading the refrigerator. In order to keep foods at the proper temperature and maintain optimum efficiency, the cool air needs to be able to circulate freely.