Potato storage question

This is the first year I've grown potatoes. I've read that they should be stored in a cool dark place around 45-50 degrees. My basement is always in the 60's.

I'm also looking to buy a new refrigerator, and was thinking I could set my old one at 45 degrees, and store the potatoes there. Would this be a waste of energy, or could I just store them in the basement?

 

Store them on brown paper on the floor
of the basement.Spread them around so they don't touch and you will loose a few but not many. This is how my mom kept hers in a storm cellar underground.I hope this helps.

 

Potatoes can also be stored in trays of sand, too.

 

Thanks for the responses. I don't have much floor space available, so I may see what I can come up with that would be vertical. Some kind of clothes drying shelves perhaps, I'm sure I'll rig up something. Didn't get a new fridge, so that idea's definitely out.