![]() ![]() ![]() Also, it is recommended that you have a backup generator (thousands of dollars) for those gloomy months when the sun is not shining in order to charge your batteries. This doesn’t even include the battery! Batteries can cost $5,000 to $7,000. The panels alone cost $10,000 to $20,000 and up from there. EfficiencyĮfficiency is also a consideration when deciding between propane and solar. Your valuable time will be better spent tending to the other chores and necessities that come with living off-grid. The last thing you want to do while living off the grid is to spend your time and energy fixing and troubleshooting appliances. You may not find the parts you need and it may require taking the fridge to a service repair establishment. Some can last more than 10 years, BUT when they do stop working or malfunction, getting them fixed is very involved. Solar refrigerators last as long as the “normal” electric refrigerator you may have in your “on-grid” home. Plus, the parts are very easy to get your hands on because they are made in the USA. This proves especially useful when living off-grid, where tools and maintenance services are scarce. Generally, all you need is a wrench or a screwdriver to change out these parts. Occasionally, a thermocouple or a thermostat needs to be replaced but even if you have no technical skills, you will be able to change them out yourself! Plus, EZ Freeze fridges come with a maintenance video as well. ![]() Today’s EZ Freeze propane refrigerator is lasting upwards of 20 to 30 years. Next, propane fridges just last longer than solar fridges. Solar refrigerators require compressors, refrigerant solution, solar panels, batteries, controllers and other electrical wires and components to make the refrigerator run properly–not to mention the requirement for sunlight…and lots of it! The point here is that within an electrical refrigerator (which is essentially what a solar refrigerator is) there are many parts and pieces that could wear out, go bad or malfunction leaving your refrigerator totally useless…plus, you can’t control the sun and with solar you need a steady supply of sunshine! Longevity In contrast, solar refrigerators use a compressor system made up of many different components and electrical pieces. Plus, propane units do not require sunlight! Generally, the service on a propane refrigerator involves cleaning the burner box…which is easy! The setup is simple too just attach your gas line onto the 3/8” male flare screw fitting on the back of the fridge, light the pilot light and you’re good to go! Another thing to consider is the size, if you have a tiny house or small cabin you may not have a lot fo space to work with, in which case a small propane refrigerator would fit the bill. There are very few components to ever malfunction. In simple terms, this cooling unit and flame make up the whole system! The cooling unit continues to cycle the cooling vapors using the pilot light. A gas fridge has a cooling unit operated by a pilot light. They are decidedly straightforward in their operation. Hopefully, this article will prove itself useful to you as you ponder which direction to go. Additional benefits of propane refrigeration are that it is much more durable, as well as overall a propane unit is more efficient, and cost effective than solar. Our opinion is this: the propane refrigerator is much more straightforward to use, and it is easy to maintain. Our team has spent many years selling both types of refrigerators, and we’ve collected data from both sides of the isle. Hauling ice is a hassle, not to mention it is expensive! But what direction do you go? Should you buy a propane refrigerator or a solar one? This is a common question folks have. You definitely need a refrigerator for your cold food storage. So if you happen to live off-grid year round or even if you are only off-grid occasionally throughout the year with perhaps a summer cabin, fishing or hunting camp. There is a lot to unpack, so let’s get started. With these questions in the forefront of our minds, we aim to answer them in this article. And which is most cost effective overall?.To ultimately decide on either propane or solar, you may want to answer these questions first: T he biggest decision being should your power source be propaneor solar? When choosing an off grid refrigerator, there are many things to consider. ![]()
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