memes

You are correct. Eta: that was in fact constant draw, unlike the compressor which is only on when needed. Like I said, no one cared about consumption when electricity was cheap.

This was an old refrigerator I was renovating for a friend. It was it very good condition, it had been regularly cleaned but no longer worked. It needed a new contactor.

I plugged it in with everything disconnected (I thought) so I could check for wiring faults. After some head scratching I took the door apart and found the butter warmer.

The original plan was get it working and replace the ancient door gaskets. In the end it was that, and disconnecting the butter warmer, and putting modern insulation in it. Once all that was done the energy consumption was just slightly more than a modern fridge the same size. I was quite surprised because I thought it would be terrible. Her rationale was that she has way more solar than she uses and she loved the fridge. I'm not sure I agree with that but the embodied energy costs are certainly much lower. Made in the 1950's still working today.

Oh, and because I did it as a favor, total cost was less than $100. Craigslist free (haul it away), labor free, parts about $80 something.

p.s. ask me about my Craigslist O'Keefe and Merritt range.