METHOD FOR OPERATING A REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE ICE MAKER

Abstract

A refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The refrigerator appliance includes an ice maker for producing ice. The ice maker is deactivated for a predetermined period of time after the ice maker has been filled with liquid water. After the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the ice maker can harvest ice if a demand side management (DSM) status is off-peak, or the ice maker can remain deactivated if the DSM status is on-peak. By operating in such a manner, operating costs of the refrigerator appliance can be reduced.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to refrigerator appliances and ice makers for the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain utility companies are experiencing a shortage of electrical generating capacity due to increasing customer demand for electricity. In particular, such utility companies can be unable to meet their customers' demand for electricity during peak demand hours. Increasing electrical generating capacity to meet the shortfall can be difficult due to increasing fuel prices. As a result, utility companies can be forced to buy electricity to meet their customers' demands. If peak demand hours can be reduced, then utility companies and their customers can realize a potential cost savings, and the peak load that the utility companies have to accommodate can also be lessened.

In order to reduce or discourage power usage during the peak demand hours, certain utility companies charge higher rates during peak demand hours. In particular, certain utility companies have instituted time of use metering and variable rates which include higher rates for energy usage during on-peak hours and lower rates for energy usage during off-peak hours. As a result, customers are provided with an incentive to use electricity at off-peak hours rather than on-peak hours.

Appliances can account for a relatively large portion of a residence's total energy consumption. Further, certain appliances can be required to operate during on-peak time periods despite the high operating costs associated with on-peak time periods. In particular, refrigerator appliances generally must operate and keep food items stored therein cool despite the high operating costs associated with on-peak time periods. Accordingly, a refrigerator appliance with features for reducing operating costs of the refrigerator appliance would be useful.

Certain refrigerator appliances include an ice maker that consumes energy to produce ice. In particular, such ice makers can include features such as a heater that heats ice cubes within a mold body of the ice maker and a harvester that can remove the ice cubes from the mold body. Operating such features during on-peak time periods can be expensive and unnecessary. Refrigerator appliances with ice makers generally include a container for storing a volume of ice. The ice maker can operate to fill the container with ice so that a supply of ice is readily available. Thus, operating the ice maker during on-peak time periods can be unnecessary due to the supply of ice available within the associated container.

Accordingly, a refrigerator appliance with features for operating an ice maker of the refrigerator appliance with reduced operating costs would be useful. In particular, a refrigerator appliance with features for limiting operation of an ice maker during on-peak time periods would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same. The refrigerator appliance includes an ice maker for producing ice. The ice maker is deactivated for a predetermined period of time after the ice maker has been filled with liquid water. After the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the ice maker can harvest ice if a demand side management (DSM) status is off-peak, or the ice maker can remain deactivated if the DSM status is on-peak. By operating in such a manner, operating costs of the refrigerator appliance can be reduced. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a method for operating an ice maker of a refrigerator appliance is provided. The method includes filling the ice maker with liquid water, deactivating the ice maker for a predetermined period of time after the step of filling, and determining whether a demand side management (DSM) status is on-peak or off-peak after the predetermined period of time has elapsed.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a method for operating an ice maker of a refrigerator appliance is provided. The method includes initiating a flow of liquid water into the ice maker, maintaining the flow of liquid water into the ice maker until the ice maker has filled with liquid water, terminating the flow of water into the ice maker, deactivating the ice maker for a predetermined period of time after the step terminating, and harvesting ice from the ice maker if a demand side management (DSM) status is off-peak after the step of deactivating or keeping the ice maker deactivated if the DSM status is on-peak after the step of deactivating.

In a third exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food items for storage and an ice maker positioned within the chilled chamber of the cabinet. The ice maker has a mold body for receipt of liquid water for freezing. A water supply is configured for supplying liquid water to the mold body of the ice maker. A controller being in operative communication with the water supply and the ice maker. The controller is configured for operating the water supply in order to initiate a flow of liquid water into the mold body of the ice maker, terminating the flow of water into the mold body of the ice maker when the mold body of the ice maker has filled with liquid water, deactivating the ice maker for a preselected period of time after the step terminating, and determining whether a demand side management (DSM) status is on-peak or off-peak after the preselected period of time has elapsed.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 provides a front, elevation view of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a front, elevation view of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1 with doors of the refrigerator appliance shown in an open position to reveal a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber of the refrigerator appliance.

FIG. 3 provides partial section view of an ice-making assembly of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 provides a schematic view of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method for operating an ice maker of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method for operating an ice maker of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a front, elevation view of a refrigeration appliance 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 2 provides a front, elevation view of refrigerator appliance 10 with a freezer door 38 and a fresh food door 40 of refrigerator appliance 10 shown in an open position to reveal a fresh food compartment 12 and a freezer compartment 14 of refrigerator appliance 10. It should be appreciated that refrigerator appliance 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided for illustrative purposes only and that the present subject matter is not limited to any particular type, style, or configuration of refrigeration appliance, and that, in alternative exemplary embodiments, the present subject matter may utilize or be utilized in any manner of refrigerator appliance, freezer appliance, refrigerator/freezer appliance combination, and so forth.

Refrigerator appliance 10 includes chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, referring to FIG. 2, refrigeration appliance 10 includes a fresh food storage chamber or compartment 12 and a freezer storage chamber or compartment 14. Fresh food and freezer storage compartments 12 and 14 are arranged side-by-side and contained within an outer case 16 and inner liners 18 and 20. In certain exemplary embodiments, inner liners 18 and 20 are molded from a suitable plastic material. In such exemplary embodiments, outer case 16 is formed by folding a sheet of a suitable material, such as pre-painted steel, into an inverted U-shape to form top and side walls of outer case 16.

A breaker strip 22 extends between a case front flange and outer front edges of inner liners 18 and 20. Breaker strip 22 is formed from a suitable resilient material, such as an extruded acrylo-butadiene-styrene based material (commonly referred to as ABS). Insulation is disposed within a space between inner liners 18 and 20 and is covered by another strip of suitable resilient material, which also commonly is referred to as a mullion 24 and may be formed of an extruded ABS material. Breaker strip 22 and mullion 24 form a front face, and extend completely around inner peripheral edges of outer case 16 and vertically between inner liners 18 and 20.

Freezer door 38 and fresh food door 40 permit selective access to freezer storage compartment 14 and fresh food storage compartment 12, respectively. Each door 38, 40 is mounted by a top hinge 42 and a bottom hinge (not shown) to rotate about its outer vertical edge between an open position, as shown in FIG. 2, and a closed position, shown in FIG. 1. Freezer door 38 may include a plurality of storage shelves 44 and a sealing gasket 46, and fresh food door 40 also includes a plurality of storage shelves 48 and a sealing gasket 50. Further, slide-out drawers 26, a storage bin 28 and shelves 30 are normally provided in fresh food storage compartment 12 to support food items being stored therein. In addition, at least one shelf 30 and at least one wire basket 32 are also provided in freezer storage compartment 14.

Certain features or components of refrigerator appliance 10 are controlled or operated by a controller 34, e.g., according to user preferences selected via manipulation of a control interface 36 mounted in an upper region of fresh food storage compartment 12. Control interface 36 is in communication with or coupled to controller 34. In one exemplary embodiment, control interface 36 may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In another exemplary embodiment, control interface 36 may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. Control interface 36 may be in communication with controller 34 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.

Controller 34 includes memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of refrigerator appliance 10. The memory can represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. The processor executes programming instructions stored in the memory. The memory can be a separate component from the processor or can be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 34 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

Refrigerator appliance 10 also includes an ice maker or ice-making assembly 52, e.g., disposed within freezer storage compartment 14, and a dispenser 54, e.g., positioned on freezer door 38 such that ice and/or chilled water can be dispensed without opening freezer door 38. Handles 56 can assist a user with adjusting freezer and fresh food doors 38 and 40 between the closed and open positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. A housing 58 holds a water filter 60 used to filter water for ice-making assembly 52 and/or dispenser 54.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of ice-making assembly 52 that is positioned within freezer storage compartment 14. Ice-making assembly 52 includes a mold body 70 made of a suitable material, such as a metal, composite, or plastic material. Mold 70 includes a bottom wall 72, a front wall 74 and a back wall 76. A plurality of partition walls 78 extend transversely across mold 70 to define cavities for containing liquid water therein for freezing into ice. Liquid water is supplied into mold 70 through a water supply 80 that includes a valve 82 operatively coupled to controller 34 (FIG. 2). Valve 82 is configured for facilitating a flow of liquid water into each cavity defined within mold 70. In particular, valve 82 can selectively adjust between a closed configuration, in which valve 82 obstructs a flow of liquid water into mold 70, and a closed configuration, in which valve 82 permits the flow of liquid water into mold 70. Valve 82 is operatively coupled to controller 34 to precisely control a flow of liquid water supplied mold 70, e.g., to each cavity of mold 70.

Ice-making assembly 52 includes various power consuming features or components. In particular, a heater 84 is positioned with respect to mold 70 and configured for facilitating harvesting of ice formed within mold 70. More particularly, heater 84 is attached to bottom wall 72 and heats mold 70 when a harvest cycle is executed to slightly melt ice pieces 92 and release each ice piece 92 from a respective mold cavity. Further, a harvester 86, such as a rotating rake, sweeps through mold 70 as ice is harvested and ejects ice piece 92 from mold 70 into an ice bucket 88. In one exemplary embodiment, a sensor 90, such as a spring-loaded feeler arm, is at least partially positioned within ice bucket 88 to detect an amount of ice within ice bucket 88 at a selected or desired level. The operation of power consuming features of ice-making assembly 52, such as heater 84, sensor 90, and rake 86, can be controlled or regulated by controller 34. Thus, ice-making assembly 52, e.g., heater 84, sensor 90, and rake 86 of ice-making assembly 52, is operatively coupled to controller 34.

FIG. 4 provides a schematic view of refrigerator appliance 10. As may be seen in FIG. 4, refrigerator appliance 10 includes a relay 94. Relay 94 is configured for selectively powering ice-making assembly 52. In particular, relay 94 can selectively activate and deactivate ice-making assembly 52 by selectively establishing and terminating electrical power to ice-making assembly 52. Relay 94 can be any suitable device or mechanism for selectively powering ice-making assembly 52. For example, relay 94 can be any suitable type of electrical switch.

Refrigerator appliance 10 also includes a sealed refrigeration system 100 for executing a vapor compression cycle for cooling air within refrigerator appliance 10, e.g., within fresh food compartment 12 and freezer compartment 14. Refrigeration system 100 is operatively coupled or in communication with controller 34. Refrigeration system 100 includes a compressor 102, a condenser 104, an expansion device 106, and an evaporator 108 connected in series and charged with a refrigerant. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, refrigeration system 100 may include additional components, e.g., at least one additional evaporator, compressor, expansion device, and/or condenser. As an example, refrigeration system 100 may include two evaporators.

Within refrigeration system 100, gaseous refrigerant flows into compressor 102, which operates to increase the pressure of the refrigerant. This compression of the refrigerant raises its temperature, which is lowered by passing the gaseous refrigerant through condenser 102. Within condenser 102, heat exchange with ambient air takes place so as to cool the refrigerant and cause the refrigerant to condense to a liquid state.

Expansion device (e.g., a valve, capillary tube, or other restriction device) 106 receives liquid refrigerant from condenser 102. From expansion device 106, the liquid refrigerant enters evaporator 108. Upon exiting expansion device 106 and entering evaporator 108, the liquid refrigerant drops in pressure and vaporizes. Due to the pressure drop and phase change of the refrigerant, evaporator 108 is cool relative to fresh food and freezer compartments 14 and 16 of refrigerator appliance 10. As such, cooled air is produced and refrigerates fresh food and freezer compartments 14 and 16 of refrigerator appliance 10. Thus, evaporator 108 is a type of heat exchanger which transfers heat from air passing over evaporator 108 to refrigerant flowing through evaporator 108.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, operation of refrigerator appliance 10 consumes electrical energy. For example, operation of refrigeration system 100, e.g., compressor 102, can require electrical energy. Similarly, as another example, operation of ice-making assembly 52, e.g., heater 84, sensor 90, and rake 86 of ice-making assembly 52, can require electrical energy.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, a cost of electricity supplied to operate refrigerator appliance 10 can vary based upon time of use sliding rate scales. Thus, refrigerator appliance 10 can operate in a more cost effective manner by executing certain operations during periods of relatively low electricity costs. In particular, refrigerator appliance 10 can operate in a more cost effective manner by operating ice-making assembly 52 during periods of relatively low electricity costs.

Controller 34 is configured to receive and process a demand side management (DSM) status or signal from a signal source 110, such as an associated utility or a utility cooperative. Thus, controller 34 is in communication with the signal source 110. As an example, signal source 110 may transmit a signal via a network 111 to a power meter 112 located at a residence or business housing refrigerator appliance 10. Signal source 110 may transmit the signal via any suitable transmission mechanism such as wireless, wired, ZigBee, Bluetooth, or radio frequency (RF) transmission mechanism. In turn, controller 34 can receive the signal from meter 112, e.g., via any of the transmission mechanisms described above. In alternative exemplary embodiments, controller 34 may receive the signal directly from signal source 110, the signal may be downloaded, e.g., from the internet to a home computer and subsequently transmitted from the home computer to controller 34, or a user may manually input the signal into controller 34, e.g., via control interface 36.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the signals from signal source 110 can include on-peak time information or values and off-peak time information or values. As used herein, the term “on-peak” is meant to encompass times or time periods that signal source 110 has designated as referring to times or time periods of high energy demand or cost. Conversely, the term “off-peak” meant to encompass times or time periods of low energy demand or cost. In various exemplary embodiments, signal source 110 may designate multiple demand or cost levels and thus on-peak is meant to refer to those times and time periods where the energy demand or cost is greater than some other times and time periods, with the other times and time periods being referred to as off-peak. Thus, in any given situation, on-peak may not be the absolute highest demand or cost level and off-peak may not be the absolute lowest demand or cost level. Controller 34 utilizes the signals from signal source 110 to regulate or control refrigerator appliance 10, e.g., such that operations of ice-making assembly 52 can be performed during off-peak time periods as discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for operating an ice maker of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Controller 34 of refrigerator appliance 10 (FIG. 3) may be configured or programmed to implement method 500. As discussed in greater detail below, utilizing method 500 can assist refrigerator appliance 10 with operating in a more cost effective manner, e.g., such that operations of ice-making assembly 52 are performed during off-peak time periods.

At step 510, ice-making assembly 52 is filled with liquid water. As an example, controller 34 can actuate valve 82 to the open position in order to initiate a flow of liquid water into mold 70 of ice-making assembly 52. When mold 70 is filled with liquid water, controller 82 can actuate valve 82 to the closed position in order to terminate the flow of liquid water into mold 70.

At step 520, ice-making assembly 52 is deactivated for a predetermined period of time after step 510. As an example, controller 34 can deactivate ice-making assembly 52 by triggering relay 94 in order to terminate a supply of electricity to ice-making assembly 52. With ice-making assembly 52 deactivated at step 520, components of ice-making assembly 52, such as heater 84, sensor 90, and rake 86, are deactivated such that the components do not consume electricity. The predetermined period of time can be any suitable time interval. For example, the predetermined period of time can be greater than about thirty minutes, greater than about sixty minutes and less than about one-hundred and fifty minutes, or greater than about ninety minutes and less than about one-hundred and twenty minutes. During step 520, liquid water within mold 70 can freeze and form ice pieces 92. Thus, the predetermined period of time can be selected in order to provide sufficient time for liquid water within mold 70 to freeze and form ice pieces 92.

At step 530, a demand side management (DSM) status is determined after the predetermined period of time has elapsed. As an example, controller 34 can receive a signal from signal source 110. Based upon the signal, controller 34 can determine whether the DSM status is on-peak or off-peak.

Method 500 can also include harvesting ice from ice-making assembly 52 if the DSM status is off-peak at step 530. Thus, controller 34 can trigger relay 94 in order to supply electricity to ice-making assembly 52 if the DSM status is off-peak at step 530. With ice-making assembly 52 activated, components of ice-making assembly 52, such as heater 84, sensor 90, and rake 86, can operate to harvest ice from mold 70.

Conversely, method 500 can include keeping ice-making assembly 52 deactivated if the DSM status is on-peak at step 530. Thus, if the DSM status is on-peak at step 530 and harvesting ice from ice-making assembly 52 would be expensive, controller 34 can keep ice-making assembly 52 deactivated, e.g., until the DSM status changes to off-peak. When the DSM status changes to off-peak, controller 34 can trigger relay 94 in order to supply electricity to ice-making assembly 52 and harvest ice pieces 92 from mold 70. By operating ice-making assembly 52 in such a manner, controller 34 can avoid harvesting ice pieces 92 during on-peak time periods when energy cost are relatively high.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 for operating an ice maker of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Controller 34 of refrigerator appliance 10 (FIG. 3) may be configured or programmed to implement method 600. As discussed in greater detail below, utilizing method 600 can assist refrigerator appliance 10 with operating in a more cost effective manner, e.g., such that operations of ice-making assembly 52 are performed during off-peak time periods.

At step 610, a flow of liquid water is initiated into ice-making assembly 52. As an example, controller 34 can actuate valve 82 to the open position in order to initiate the flow of liquid water into mold 70 of ice-making assembly 52. At step 620, the flow of liquid water into ice-making assembly 52 is maintained until ice-making assembly 52 has filled with liquid water. As an example, controller 34 can maintain valve 82 to the open position until mold 70 of ice-making assembly 52 fills with liquid water. At step 630, the flow of water into ice-making assembly 52 is terminated. As an example, controller 82 can actuate valve 82 to the closed position in order to terminate the flow of liquid water into mold 70.

At step 640, ice-making assembly 52 is deactivating for a predetermined period of time after step 630. As an example, controller 34 can deactivate ice-making assembly 52 by triggering relay 94 in order to terminate a supply of electricity to ice-making assembly 52. With ice-making assembly 52 deactivated at step 640, components of ice-making assembly 52, such as heater 84, sensor 90, and rake 86, are deactivated such that the components do not consume electricity. The predetermined period of time can be any suitable time interval. For example, the predetermined period of time can be greater than about thirty minutes, greater than about sixty minutes and less than about one-hundred and fifty minutes, or greater than about ninety minutes and less than about one-hundred and twenty minutes. During step 640, liquid water within mold 70 can freeze and form ice pieces 92. Thus, the predetermined period of time can be selected in order to provide sufficient time for liquid water within mold 70 to freeze and form ice pieces 92.

At step 650, ice within ice-making assembly 52 is harvested if a demand side management (DSM) status is off-peak after step 640, or ice-making assembly 52 is kept deactivated if the DSM status is on-peak after step 640. As an example, controller 34 can receive a signal from signal source 110. Based upon the signal, controller 34 can determine whether the DSM status is on-peak or off-peak. Controller 34 can trigger relay 94 in order to supply electricity to ice-making assembly 52 if the DSM status is off-peak at step 530. With ice-making assembly 52 activated, components of ice-making assembly 52, such as heater 84, sensor 90, and rake 86, can operate to harvest ice from mold 70. Conversely, if the DSM status is on-peak and harvesting ice from ice-making assembly 52 would be expensive, controller 34 can keep ice-making assembly 52 deactivated, e.g., until the DSM status changes to off-peak. When the DSM status changes to off-peak, controller 34 can trigger relay 94 in order to supply electricity to ice-making assembly 52 and harvest ice pieces 92 from mold 70. By operating ice-making assembly 52 in such a manner, controller 34 can avoid harvesting ice pieces 92 during on-peak time periods when energy cost are relatively high.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for operating an ice maker of a refrigerator appliance, comprising:

filling the ice maker with liquid water;

deactivating the ice maker for a predetermined period of time after said step of filling; and

determining whether a demand side management (DSM) status is on-peak or off-peak after the predetermined period of time has elapsed.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising harvesting ice from the ice maker if the DSM status is off-peak or keeping the ice maker deactivated if the DSM status is on-peak.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of harvesting comprises harvesting ice from the ice maker if the DSM status is off-peak or keeping the ice maker deactivated if the DSM status is on-peak until the DSM status changes to off-peak and harvesting ice from the ice maker thereafter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined period of time is greater than about thirty minutes.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of deactivating comprises turning off power consuming components of the ice maker.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined period of time is sufficient for water within the ice maker to freeze.

7. A method for operating an ice maker of a refrigerator appliance, comprising:

initiating a flow of liquid water into the ice maker;

maintaining the flow of liquid water into the ice maker until the ice maker has filled with liquid water;

terminating the flow of water into the ice maker;

deactivating the ice maker for a predetermined period of time after said step terminating; and

harvesting ice from the ice maker if a demand side management (DSM) status is off-peak after said step of deactivating or keeping the ice maker deactivated if the DSM status is on-peak after said step of deactivating.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the predetermined period of time is greater than about thirty minutes.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of deactivating comprises turning off power consuming components of the ice maker.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the predetermined period of time is sufficient for water within the ice maker to freeze.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of harvesting comprises harvesting ice from the ice maker if a demand side management (DSM) status is off-peak after said step of deactivating or keeping the ice maker deactivated if the DSM status is on-peak after said step of deactivating until the DSM status changes to off-peak and harvesting ice from the ice maker thereafter.

12. A refrigerator appliance, comprising:

a cabinet defining a chilled chamber for receipt of food items for storage;

an ice maker positioned within the chilled chamber of said cabinet, said ice maker having a mold body for receipt of liquid water for freezing;

a water supply configured for supplying liquid water to the mold body of said ice maker; and

a controller being in operative communication with said water supply and said ice maker, said controller configured for: operating said water supply to initiate a flow of liquid water into the mold body of said ice maker; terminating the flow of water into the mold body of said ice maker after the mold body of said ice maker has filled with liquid water; deactivating said ice maker for a preselected period of time after said step terminating; and determining whether a demand side management (DSM) status is on-peak or off-peak after the preselected period of time has elapsed.

13. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, wherein said controller is further configured for reactivating said ice maker in order to harvest ice from the mold body of said ice maker if the DSM status is off-peak in said step of determining or keeping said ice maker deactivated if the DSM status is on-peak in said step of determining.

14. The refrigerator appliance of claim 12, wherein said step of reactivating comprises reactivating said ice maker in order to harvest ice from the mold body of said ice maker if the DSM status is off-peak in said step of determining or keeping said ice maker deactivated if the DSM status is on-peak in said step of determining until the DSM status changes to off-peak and harvesting ice from said ice maker thereafter.

15. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, wherein the preselected period of time is greater than about thirty minutes.

16. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, wherein said step of deactivating comprises turning off power consuming features of said ice maker.

17. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, wherein the preselected period is sufficient for water within the ice maker to freeze.

18. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, further comprising a relay operable with said controller to selectively supply power to said ice maker.

19. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, wherein said water supply comprises a valve operable with said controller to selectively supply liquid water to said ice maker.