If you’re keen to cut back your electricity consumption, your refrigerator may be a good place to start. Reducing how much energy is consumed by refrigerators is easy with a few, simple habit changes.
In addition to cost savings, awareness of your refrigerator’s electricity usage also helps reduce your carbon footprint – a win for you and the environment.
In this guide, AEG will help you understand how much electricity a refrigerator uses per month, while providing easy-to-follow advice to optimise fridge energy efficiency.
What are the factors that affect the energy consumption of a refrigerator?
The model of your refrigerator
Generally, refrigerators with side-mounted or bottom-mounted freezers use more energy than fridges with a top-mounted freezer. Features such as ice makers and dispensers can also require additional energy to operate.
The refrigerator size
Large refrigerators, such as side-by-side models, consume more energy as they are cooling a larger volume of space.
Where you place your refrigerator
Ensure your refrigerator is installed in a cool, well-ventilated area, to prevent overheating, and increased energy usage.
Season
Did you know your refrigerator can consume more energy in the summer than winter? This is because higher ambient temperatures make the compressor work harder to maintain cool fridge contents.
Your usage
Frequent or prolonged door opening can place added pressure on the compressor because it lets more warm air in when you open the door. This means your fridge and freezer will need to use extra energy to replace the cold air that flows out every time the door is opened.
The condition of your refrigerator
Most older refrigerator models won’t be equipped with energy optimising technology. Some can also have worn out parts, such as loose rubber gaskets, that let cold air seep out. This can lead to temperature fluctuations and cause the compressor to use up more energy.
How much electricity does a refrigerator use per month
To calculate the electricity consumption of your refrigerator, there’s some simple maths involved. Please note that this is an estimate to give you an indication of your consumption.Step #1: Know your refrigerator wattage
Check the energy information sticker located on or inside your refrigerator and note its voltage and amperage. Multiply the two to get the wattage. See the example below:
Step #2: Know your refrigerator’s running wattage per month
A refrigerator cycles on and off throughout the day, so your running wattage is actually lower compared with your refrigerator wattage. To roughly calculate this, divide the wattage by three.
To know how much energy it consumes in a day, simply multiply the running wattage by 24 hours.
Multiply this value by 30 days to know how much electricity your refrigerator uses per month.
Step #3: Calculate your refrigerator’s electricity cost per month
Electricity providers charge electricity per kilowatt-hour. Convert watts to kilowatt-hour.
Multiply this by how much your provider charges per kilowatt-hour. This can be found in your electricity bill.
Using this example, the table below is the estimated electricity consumption of your refrigerator per time period.
|
Time period |
kWh of electricity consumed |
|
1 hour |
0.13 kWh |
|
1 day |
3.09 kWh |
|
1 week |
21.63 kWh |
|
1 month |
92.7 kWh |
|
1 year |
1,112.4 kWh |
5 energy saving tips for your refrigerator
1. Set to the right temperature
The ideal temperature for your fridge is 4-5°C. For your freezer, it’s -18°C. Too high and it can compromise food safety and too low risks excessive energy consumption.
2. Installation in the right location
Place your fridge in a cool area, away from direct sunlight and other heat sources such as your oven or hob, and in a spot with sufficient ventilation. If it’s built in, follow the recommended distance away from the wall.
3. Maintain regularly
Just 2mm of ice can mean that your freezer consumes 10% more energy, so defrost frequently. Don’t let your fridge contents exceed its capacity. Every three months, scan your fridge shelves and discard expired food. While your clearing contents, why not dust the radiator and inspect the door seals, too.
Here are more tips for you on how to store and organize food in the fridge correctly so that you can easily maintain and clean your fridge.
4. Cool food before refrigerating
Placing hot food directly in the fridge can alter the internal temperature. So wait for cooked food to cool in order to maintain a constant temperature inside the refrigerator, saving energy.
5. Be mindful of door opening frequency
Before opening your fridge, have a mental checklist of the items you need to minimise the time the door is open. Encourage family members to refrain from aimlessly checking refrigerator contents!
Read more tips on how to use your home appliances effectively from our experts here:The AEG 8000 Series Refrigerator helps you save electricity
1. Free up your freezer
To give your compressor a break, why not store some fresh meat and fish in your fridge instead of the freezer? In the AEG 8000 Series, it is now possible to store them in a special FreshZone compartment, which can keep them fresh and tender for up to seven days2.
2. Cool innovations
The AEG 8000 Series Refrigerator is equipped with advanced features to optimise energy efficiency while retaining food freshness and nutrients, such as the GreenZonePlus Blue Seal crisper.
3. A clean, hygienic fridge
Enjoy the peace of mind of bacteria-free food storage. The Ionising deodoriser eliminates up to 99.9% of bacteria3, reducing premature produce spoilage, and ensuring a fresh refrigerator interior.
4. Temperature retained; energy saved
Cooling 360 evenly distributes cold air, precisely stabilising the temperature, even with frequent door opening.
- Water Dispenser
- Electronic touch control
- Total No Frost
- Water Dispenser
- Electronic touch control
- Total No Frost
