ffutures: (Mad scientist)
ffutures ([personal profile] ffutures) wrote2006-08-22 09:29 am

Stupid fridge question

Wearing my mad scientist hat again...

Just had the fridge-freezer delivered and they told me it has to sit for three hours before plugging in "because they don't use CFCs any more."

I knew that CFCs were banned, but I hadn't thought about what replaced them and why it would need so much longer to stand. I know that early fridges used ammonia, have they gone back to using that or is it something else?

Update Got home - fridge appears to be pretty cold, ditto freezer, so presumably working OK. I'll bung some frozen food in a little later, once I've checked the temperature. Now where did I put the freezer thermometer.

later Minus 18 - should be OK.

[identity profile] gonzo21.livejournal.com 2006-08-22 10:00 am (UTC)(link)
Ouch, tough luck. Just goes to show that the weather gods do indeed have a sense of humour though.

I can't remember where I read this, but apparently you can make a makeshift air conditioner by nearly filling a 2 litre coke bottle with water, freezing it (carefully taking care that it doesn't split in your freezer), then setting it in a bowl in front of a fan. And it will produce a marked cooling effect.

I haven't tested it myself, but it sounds an intriguing idea.

[identity profile] w00hoo.livejournal.com 2006-08-22 11:22 am (UTC)(link)
One of the CSI (IIRC Miami) episodes had a similar thing which I think they referred to as 'swamp air conditioning' or some such. Basically a big chunk of ice and an electric fan. Spoiler I guess ()

[identity profile] vicarage.livejournal.com 2006-08-22 11:26 am (UTC)(link)
Swamp coolers are evaporative coolers that blow air past damp pads. They work well in the dry air of the West, but would be useless in Florida.