For several years, I have been layering double bubble wrap (that had been wrapped around our cabinets), across the tops of the frozen goods in our chest freezers. When I open these, I do not get a 'blanket' of cold air. So, I believe I am minimizing cold loss.

I keep a chart of my freezers' contents and only lift up the end that has the item/s I need. I find that I can go a year between defrosting.

I wish I had an in-line device to measure the KW used with and without the bubble-wrap.

Is there a similar way to lessen the 'cold loss' in an upright freezer?

Any other ideas to increase freezer efficiency?
cella jane

Handy little thing that can really be an eye opener when you see what some of your plug in electrical items cost you.

24kwh's used in the past 292 hours.
So thats about $3.50 on the power bill over the past 12.2 days / or about 29¢'s per day or $8.70 per month .

If I learn to turn it off when I'm not watching it I'd probably save $5 or so monthly.

Was thinking that I will call the power co Monday, to see if they have loaners. Otherwise, I think the investment in the "Kill" monitor might be worth it. More research.

When I asked some years ago, they said the devices were around a $100 each. Maybe I was mis-informed-or the price has dropped like hand held calculators.
cella jane

When I hooked it to my fridge I used a short extension cord so I could read it without moving the fridge out of its hole in the wall.

Think I paid 25 bucks for one off of ebay maybe 3 yrs ago. Simple to use, works! I just plug whatever into it and leave it for a couple days/weeks/months. Or quickly hook it up to things to see what wattage they pull when running.

Load of wash costs me a nickle on the power bill.