How to save energy with your refrigerator

Save and don't waste money with the refrigerator It's much simpler than you might imagine. Basic steps are enough: don't open it constantly, for example, or don't put hot food inside, and don't overfill it. On the electricity bill, it's one of the household appliances that weigh the mostThe energy cost of a refrigerator, on average, is around 150-160 euros, and this alone is a good reason to use it with caution. Avoiding unnecessary waste of energy, and simply try to follow these rules we've outlined. They're very simple, practical, and based on common sense. The premise is that an older refrigerator, for example, one rated C or lower, consumes up to three times more than a new one rated A+: why throw away an extra 50-100 euros in electricity every year? Better to invest it in a new refrigerator.

Index of topics

Which refrigerator to buy

Purchasing a new, energy-efficient model costs about €150 more: however, this additional cost is fully recovered within the first three to four years. And over the refrigerator's lifetime, the return on investment can be up to 10 percent higher. Government incentives for energy efficiency make the investment even more advantageous.
Sometimes even new ones contain CFG, a gas that's harmful to the atmosphere and the ozone layer. So be careful not to buy one containing this refrigerant, as when it comes to replacing it, you'll have to deal with its disposal.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are present in both the refrigeration system and the insulation panels of older refrigerators. Therefore, when replacing your refrigerator, ensure that the gas contained in the old one is disposed of and handed over to an appropriate organization. Anyone selling the new refrigerator must take back the old one.
Purchase a refrigerator that's appropriate for your needs. Average capacities are approximately 100 to 150 liters for one person, 220 to 280 for two to four people, and 300 liters or more for more than four people: consumption increases by approximately 10 kWh for every 100 liters of capacity.
A single-door refrigerator consumes much less energy than a double-door one if it holds around 200 liters. However, for a combined refrigerator with a capacity of more than 300 liters, a single-motor option is more energy efficient.

How to use the refrigerator correctly

Don't overfill the refrigerator: the fuller it is, the more energy is needed to maintain the desired temperature.
Don't open it unnecessarily. Opening it continuously also contributes to the dispersion of the cold, so try to do it as few times as possible.
Do not introduce hot foodsAlso, if you need to put cooked food in it, wait until your dish has naturally reached “room temperature,” without using the appliance's energy to cool it.
Adjust the thermostat between the minimum and medium level, and check the temperature: the refrigerator temperature should be between 3° and 5°C, the freezer temperature between -18° and -15°C. Anything higher is unnecessary, it's just a waste.
In winter, the cold outside temperatures provide us with a natural refrigeratorWhen we bring groceries home, before immediately putting them in the refrigerator, let them sit for a few hours on the terrace or windowsill to allow the temperature to naturally cool. Cases of water, for example, can easily be stored outside, where the temperature can be even lower than the refrigerator. This simple gesture prevents us from overworking the appliance and consuming electricity, and it's a service that nature provides us free of charge. Let's take advantage of it.
The freezer should be defrosted when the ice layer is thicker than 5 millimeters. Ice acts as an insulator, and the refrigerator must consume more power to maintain low temperatures.
Don't refrigerate foods unnecessarily; in fact, it's counterproductive to their flavor. Two examples: fruit, which needs to ripen, and mozzarella, which needs to be kept cool, in its own water.

Opening and closing a refrigerator

Besides constantly opening and closing the refrigerator, there are other ways we waste electricity, and therefore money, with this appliance. For example:

If it's too large for the size of your household. For two people in a household, a 140-liter refrigerator is sufficient; for four people, 200-250 liters; and only after five people does a refrigerator with a capacity greater than 250 liters become necessary.
If you don't defrost the freezer, at least every now and then. Ice is an insulator, so the refrigerator uses more energy to keep temperatures low. Defrost the freezer when the ice is thicker than five millimeters.
A refrigerator with more doors means a refrigerator with more electricity consumption.
The refrigerator should be positioned in the kitchen so it doesn't face south. This is where it will find the most heat.

How much does the refrigerator consume?

Refrigerators are a classic household appliance whose energy consumption varies greatly depending on their energy class. A 350-liter refrigerator in class A+++, for example, consumes €0,27 per day. But with class B, this cost rises to €0,92 cents and even €1 per day.

Which refrigerators consume the least energy?

The refrigerators that consume the least are certainly those highly energy efficient, with a high class. A refrigerator of class A++ or also A + + + can lead to a savings of up to 50 percent compared to class C and D refrigerators. Obviously, the costs of the new appliance and the time it takes to pay for them must be considered, but also the advantages still available from tax deductions that make the choice of a technological update for this appliance so commonly used in our homes advantageous.