Your fridge is one of the few appliances in the house that runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year. That makes it a significant part of most household power bills, and it means small inefficiencies add up. The good news is that most of the savings come from simple habits and basic maintenance, not from buying a new fridge.
How to Reduce Fridge Power Consumption: The Short Answer
To cut your fridge’s power use: set the fridge to around 3 to 5 degrees Celsius and the freezer to around minus 18, keep door seals clean and sealing, vacuum the condenser coils, give the fridge ventilation space away from heat sources, avoid overpacking or running it nearly empty, let hot food cool before refrigerating, and switch off a second fridge you do not really need. A fridge that runs almost constantly or feels very hot may have a fault that is wasting power and should be checked.
12 Ways to Cut Your Fridge’s Energy Use
1. Get the temperature right
Setting the fridge colder than needed does not keep food noticeably fresher, but it does make the compressor work harder. Around 3 to 5 degrees Celsius for the fridge and around minus 18 for the freezer is a good general target. Use a fridge thermometer to check, as dial numbers vary between models. Our guide on how to reset a fridge thermostat explains how to adjust the settings.
2. Check and clean the door seals
A leaking seal lets cold air out and warm air in all day long. Close the door on a sheet of paper. If it slides out easily, the seal is not sealing. Clean seals with warm soapy water, and have split or hardened seals replaced.
3. Clean the condenser coils
The condenser coils release heat from inside the fridge. When they are coated in dust, the fridge runs longer to do the same job. With the fridge switched off at the wall, vacuum the coils at the back or underneath every six to twelve months, or more often if you have pets.
4. Give it room to breathe
Fridges need space to release heat. Leave the clearance recommended in the manual at the back, sides and top. Built-in fridges must have their ventilation paths kept clear.
5. Keep it away from heat
An oven, dishwasher, heater or sunny window next to the fridge makes it work harder. In a hot garage, the fridge may run almost constantly in summer. See our guide on how room temperature affects a fridge.
6. Open the door less, and more briefly
Every opening lets warm air in. Decide what you need before opening the door, and close it promptly.
7. Do not overpack, and do not run it empty
An overpacked fridge blocks airflow. A nearly empty fridge loses its cold air quickly each time the door opens. A moderately full fridge with clear vents is the most efficient.
8. Let hot food cool, then refrigerate promptly
Putting large pots of hot food straight into the fridge adds a big heat load. Divide food into shallow containers so it cools quickly, and refrigerate it promptly as the NSW Food Authority advises.
9. Cover food and liquids
Uncovered liquids add moisture to the air inside the fridge. That moisture becomes frost and condensation, which the fridge then has to deal with.
10. Defrost manual-defrost freezers regularly
Thick ice in a manual-defrost freezer acts as insulation and makes the freezer work harder. Defrost it before the ice gets thick.
11. Rethink the second fridge
An old second fridge in the garage can use a surprising amount of power, especially in summer. If it is mostly empty, consider switching it off or consolidating.
12. Check the energy rating when replacing
If your fridge is old and inefficient, the Energy Rating Label shows its estimated yearly energy use in kWh. Compare that figure between models of a similar size. Read our guide on fridge energy star ratings explained.
Fridge running constantly or power bill suddenly higher? Call Ace Fridge Repairs on 0452 462 556 for a check-up.
Signs Your Fridge Is Wasting Power Because of a Fault
- it runs almost non-stop. See why a fridge runs all the time
- the sides or back are much hotter than usual
- frost builds up on the freezer back wall
- the seals are split or the door does not close by itself
- the condenser fan is not running
- temperatures are unstable or the fridge is not cooling properly
A failed condenser fan, defrost fault, worn seal or refrigerant problem can make a fridge run much longer than it should. Fixing the fault usually brings power use back down.
Should You Repair or Replace an Inefficient Fridge?
A fridge in good condition with a simple fault is usually worth repairing. An old fridge with a failing compressor or sealed system problem may be worth replacing with a more efficient model. Our repair vs replace guide explains how to decide.
Fridge Efficiency Checks Across Sydney
Ace Fridge Repairs services household and commercial refrigeration across Greater Sydney from 93B Pagoda Crescent, Quakers Hill NSW 2763. We can check seals, fans, defrost systems and compressors, and all repairs carry a 12-month warranty on parts and labour. See the suburbs we service.
For residential fridge repairs, call 0452 462 556, 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I reduce my fridge power consumption?
Set the right temperatures, clean the door seals and condenser coils, leave ventilation space, keep the fridge away from heat, avoid overpacking, let hot food cool first and open the door less often.
What temperature setting is most energy efficient?
Around 3 to 5 degrees Celsius for the fridge and around minus 18 for the freezer is a good general target. Colder settings use more power without much benefit.
Does an old fridge use more electricity?
Often, yes. Older fridges tend to be less efficient, and worn seals or dirty coils make it worse. Check the Energy Rating Label when comparing replacements.
Do dirty coils increase power use?
Yes. Dusty condenser coils stop the fridge releasing heat, so it runs longer and uses more electricity.
Is a second fridge worth running?
An old second fridge can use a lot of power, especially in a hot garage. If it is mostly empty, switching it off can save energy.
Why is my fridge suddenly using more power?
A worn seal, failed condenser fan, defrost fault or refrigerant problem can make a fridge run much longer. Have it checked if power use rises without explanation.