Your fridge and freezer are two essential appliances in any home. However, their constant use can generate high energy consumption, resulting in a higher electricity bill. In this article, we offer you some practical tips to reduce the energy consumption of your fridge and freezer, without compromising their performance.
How does a fridge work?
Before discussing how to save energy in your fridge, it is important to understand how this appliance works. The fridge uses a refrigeration cycle that is based on the principles of condensation and evaporation to transfer heat from the inside of the unit to the outside.
The main components of a fridge are:
- Compressor: compresses the refrigerant gas and sends it to the condenser.
- Condenser: where the refrigerant gas condenses, generating heat that is dissipated to the outside.
- Evaporator: where the refrigerant gas evaporates, absorbing heat from the inside of the fridge.
- Expansion device: reduces the pressure of the refrigerant gas and sends it back to the compressor.
- Thermostat: controls the temperature inside the fridge.
What can you do to make your fridge consume less energy?
Here are some tips to reduce the energy consumption of your fridge:
Look for a fridge with a good energy efficiency rating
When buying a fridge, look for one with a good energy efficiency rating. Fridges with an A+++ rating are the most efficient, as they consume up to 60% less energy than fridges with an A rating.
Maintain the right temperature
Maintaining the right temperature in your fridge is essential to reduce its energy consumption. The ideal temperature for your fridge is between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius. If the temperature is too low, your fridge will consume more energy than necessary.
Don’t overfill your fridge
It is not recommended to overfill your fridge, as this hinders air circulation and makes the compressor work harder to maintain the right temperature. Additionally, if your fridge is too full, some foods may spoil before their expiration date.
Don’t leave the door open
It is important not to leave the fridge door open for too long, as this causes cold air to escape and makes the compressor work harder to maintain the right temperature. Also, make sure to close the door tightly to avoid leaks of cold air.
Choose a suitable location in your kitchen
Place your fridge in a suitable location in your kitchen, away from heat sources such as the oven or stove. If your fridge is exposed to heat sources, the compressor will have to work harder to maintain the right temperature.
Maintain the cleanliness of your fridge
Maintaining a clean and organized fridge is essential to reduce its energy consumption. Regularly clean the trays and shelves of your fridge to avoid the accumulation of dirt and ice on the evaporator.
What consumes more electricity, a fridge or a freezer?
In general, the energy consumption of a fridge and a freezer depends on several factors, such as their size, energy efficiency, and frequency of use. However, in general terms, the freezer tends to consume more energy than the fridge, as it needs to maintain a lower temperature to preserve frozen foods.
How much electricity does a freezer consume?
The energy consumption of a freezer depends on several factors, such as its size, energy efficiency, and frequency of use. In general, a medium-sized freezer consumes between 200 and 300 kWh per year. However, if the freezer is old or does not have a good energy efficiency rating, its energy consumption can be much higher.
How can you reduce the energy consumption of your freezer?
Here are some tips to reduce the energy consumption of your freezer:
Look for a freezer with a good energy efficiency rating
As with your fridge, it is important to look for a freezer with a good energy efficiency rating. Freezers with an A+++ rating are the most efficient, as they consume up to 60% less energy than freezers with an A rating.
Maintain the right temperature
The ideal temperature for your freezer is between -18 and -20 degrees Celsius. If the temperature is too low, your freezer will consume more energy than necessary.
Don’t overfill your freezer
As with your fridge, it is not recommended to overfill your freezer, as this hinders air circulation and makes the freezer work harder to maintain the right temperature.
Regularly clean your freezer
It is important to regularly clean your freezer to avoid the accumulation of ice on the walls and evaporator. The accumulation of ice makes your freezer work harder to maintain the right temperature.
Check that the evaporator tray is working properly
The evaporator tray is responsible for defrosting the ice accumulated in your freezer. If the evaporator tray is not working properly, the ice will accumulate on the walls of your freezer and make it work harder to maintain the right temperature.
Our advice
To reduce the energy consumption of your fridge and freezer, it is important to look for appliances with a good energy efficiency rating, maintain the right temperature, avoid overfilling them, not leave the door open, choose a suitable location in your kitchen, and maintain their cleanliness. Additionally, it is important to perform regular maintenance on your refrigeration equipment to ensure that they are working properly and not consuming more energy than necessary. With these tips, you can save energy and money on your electricity bill, while also taking care of the environment.