I really doubt a fridge costs that much to run given you said it's in great condition and stuff. There are online calculators that tell you how much it's costs to run, but even if it's a non energy efficient model I would think it's less than $5/mo.
I'd keep it since I agree with your H on this one. we have a full size fridge in the garage that isn't hooked up (need to fix some electrical in the garage first) and I can't wait. having a second fridge can be awesome, not just for beers and cokes, but for parties, or making freezer meals, etc.
Post by miniroller on Jul 23, 2014 10:10:03 GMT -5
We have a garage fridge that was gifted from my grandmother's estate. It was really a no-brainier, as we needed the extra freezer space. It also comes in very handy for entertaining. I would definitely reconsider your position
Post by ruthie7532 on Jul 23, 2014 10:19:45 GMT -5
We had a fridge in the garage for years and never noticed much difference in our bill. Logically, it will be higher than if you had 2 indoors because of temp fluctuations in the garage, but I doubt $15 a month. I'd let him have this one.
ETA: typically fridges cost like $25 a year to run, don't they? Maybe less if they're newer and super efficient.
ETA2: Just looked up a couple at Lowes. They all estimate $50-80 a year in energy costs.
We got our new fridge. DH is a very simple man and never requests anything re: our home. He loves all my choices. Well he's finally made one request. And I hate it LOL. He wants to keep the old fridge in the garage. It's a good looking, well working fridge but I was hoping to sell it. Apparently he has been dreaming his whole life about having some beers in the garage. He thinks it's the coolest thing ever. However I am concerned about energy conservation and the cost associated with it. We've had both fridges connected for a couple weeks almost and today I got our new energy bill. It's up $15. Are bills don't usually vary that much and it's only a partial month for the dual fridges. I fear the actual cost of keeping the extra could be $15-$25 a month. I want to get rid of it SO SO SO SO bad. But I feel bad that his two fridge dream just came true. Should I say something? He's already aware of the extra cost associated with it. Should I wait and hope his dream diminishes? It seems so silly... we don't need the extra fridge space at all. It's just the coolness factor of a garage fridge for him and lots of our neighbors have that too. Thoughts?
We moved our old fridge to the garage and we LOOOOOOVE having two. We don't drink beer, but just having back-up milk, eggs, cold sodas, etc. is amazing. Plus more freezer space! I haven't compared energy bills, but I would definitely give him this one. Don't nickel and dime your husband's lifelong dream of cold beer! ;-D
Team DH. And SJH. How did you survive without one this long? It's so nice to have all that extra junk out of my regular fridge. And I'm sure your bill is up from contract work and other things. Unless your fridge is 50 years old I highly doubt it's costing you $15.00 a month.
I'm also sure I drop more than $15.00 a month on stupid-er stuff than that.
Post by casarosada on Jul 23, 2014 10:37:23 GMT -5
We have a mini fridge with our wetbar and if we didn't, I'd love to have an extra fridge for beer/drinks. it's soo nice not to have stuff like that take up space in our regular fridge. Let your husband have it - you'll grow to love it too. :-)
If all he wants is to have some beer in a fridge, he doesn't need a full size fridge for that.
Before we knew what fridge we wanted, we needed something so we bought a dorm fridge to use, knowing that we could use it later in the studio or for guests (my mom drinks coke like I drink water). It is in the studio now, and still seems excessive to me. It is handy though...I mostly use it for cold drinks to offer to people, since we normally don't drink much ourselves that requires refrigeration, and it frees up space in my fridge for food stuff.
Post by demandypants on Jul 23, 2014 11:45:48 GMT -5
I love our second fridge so much. It holds beer, sure. But also anytime I entertain I have more than enough space for all the food. No balancing bowls on top of casserole dishes. Trying to find a space to stick a bottle of wine or the freaking 20# turkey. I was resistant. But now I couldn't live without the extra one.
Post by jillybean222 on Jul 23, 2014 11:50:26 GMT -5
Keep the fridge! Since we have been remodeling we have had our old fridge set up in the garage and we have been known to drink beers in there while sitting on milk crates (trash cans, paint cans, whatever is hanging around) and, I can assure you, there is something pretty cool about it!!!
If all he wants is to have some beer in a fridge, he doesn't need a full size fridge for that.
Before we knew what fridge we wanted, we needed something so we bought a dorm fridge to use, knowing that we could use it later in the studio or for guests (my mom drinks coke like I drink water). It is in the studio now, and still seems excessive to me. It is handy though...I mostly use it for cold drinks to offer to people, since we normally don't drink much ourselves that requires refrigeration, and it frees up space in my fridge for food stuff.
We actually have a full size fridge and a full size freezer in our garage.
Our fridge is packed with beverages from top to bottom: flavored water, water, beer, Mike's Lemonade, Smirnoff Ice, tonic water, club soda.
If all he wants is to have some beer in a fridge, he doesn't need a full size fridge for that.
Before we knew what fridge we wanted, we needed something so we bought a dorm fridge to use, knowing that we could use it later in the studio or for guests (my mom drinks coke like I drink water). It is in the studio now, and still seems excessive to me. It is handy though...I mostly use it for cold drinks to offer to people, since we normally don't drink much ourselves that requires refrigeration, and it frees up space in my fridge for food stuff.
We actually have a full size fridge and a full size freezer in our garage.
Our fridge is packed with beverages from top to bottom: flavored water, water, beer, Mike's Lemonade, Smirnoff Ice, tonic water, club soda.
So yeah, I'd let OP's H keep the fridge.
She said that he just wanted it for some beer, and didn't mention quantity.
She seemed pretty clear that they don't need an extra fridge or freezer for the family or to have it filled with beverages for a crowd. A smaller fridge would still give hm plenty of storage for 'some beers'.
Post by thatgirl2478 on Jul 23, 2014 12:35:37 GMT -5
We have a full sized fridge in our basement family room and an upright freezer in the garage. Both are extremely useful. You don't have to fill it with beer - you can also use it to store extra water/soda/juice/wine, etc.
Yes, having a garage fridge is a huge energy drain and an environmental no-no. Like, if you go to your utility company website looking for tips to save power, getting rid of the garage or basement fridge is one of their top tips.
That said, if you (well, your husband) finds it functional and loves it... I guess we all have vices. Sometimes it would be nice to NOT have beer taking up most of the bottom shelf of my kitchen fridge, I must admit. Although then I'd have to go outside to get myself a beer... dilemma.
We have a fridge in the garage and it's amazing. We host a "family" cookout every weekend with all of the car club people and the burgers and hotdogs get stashed there since I buy in bulk, it's where the soda and beer go, etc. It's awesome to have everything out there and separate from my everyday stuff. We spend a lot of time in the garage / driveway so it's convenient. We also have a garage in the shop but that is a ways away from the house.
We have a full sized fridge in our basement family room and an upright freezer in the garage. Both are extremely useful. You don't have to fill it with beer - you can also use it to store extra water/soda/juice/wine, etc.
Exactly my point. And it's also handy when you are entertaining, hosting holidays, etc and need extra space to store quantities of food that you wouldn't normally have on hand.
They already own it. Used fridges might get you a few bucks but then you turn around to buy a smaller fridge and there goes some of those bucks.
Well, then we're totes going to hell for killing the environment will all of our fridges. We have a fridge/freezer in our kitchen. Small fridge and ice maker at our beverage center. Another small fridge and ice maker at our wet bar in the basement. And another small fridge on the guest floor. And in the garage a full size fridge and full size freezer.
And yes, we use them all.
For pete's sake, OP said her H asks for very little. And if they sell the fridge, how exactly is that helping the environment? It's going to be used somewhere else. The only way it would 'help' the environment is if they disposed of the damn thing.
Post by polarbearfans on Jul 23, 2014 21:16:57 GMT -5
The previous owners left a fridge in the garage... I sold it. With just the two of us, we don't really need it. We hit the grocery store daily, so usually there is plenty of room. We used to live right next to a grocery store; and just got in the habit of buying things fresh daily.
Eta: if he wants it, let him keep it. A fridge shouldn't raise your bill too much, but really, $15 isn't that much... Like less than 3 Starbucks lattes.