Build a better Fridge

Chest freezers and refrigerators (modified freezers) are much more efficient than the vertical kind because when you open the door, the cold air stays put, instead of falling out of the vertical kind.

To help alleviate this, you can add a cold curtain to the unit. Basically get a clear plastic shower liner and cut strips most of the way up (like the cold curtains you see at butchers shops and cold warehouses). Attach the curtain to the top shelf either with magnets or static cling (the material sticks easily) so that the curtain covers the rest of the shelves.

Done in this way, you can still quickly get a glass of juice without having to touch the curtain, but when you want some pickles, just move a couple strips over and get them.

The curtain will keep most of the air in the fridge when you open the door and it should have to run much less. This works with freezer sections too.