In most households, the refrigerator is one of the few appliances that runs continuously — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. From storing leftover sabzi to keeping curd and milk fresh, it’s an essential part of daily life. But while it’s quietly doing its job, it may also be silently increasing your electricity bill.
Refrigerators account for a significant portion of household electricity consumption, especially in a country where summers are long and hot. Fortunately, you don’t need to buy a new fridge to reduce your power usage. With just a few mindful changes and some basic maintenance, you can make your refrigerator much more energy-efficient.
Here are 10 practical ways to make your refrigerator use less energy — and help you save both electricity and money.
1. ✅ Set the Right Temperature
Many people mistakenly set their refrigerator to the coldest possible temperature, thinking it will keep food fresher longer. In reality, overcooling is wasteful and unnecessary.
- Fridge compartment: Keep it between 3°C and 5°C
- Freezer compartment: Set it at -18°C
Most refrigerators come with a manual thermostat (knob inside the fridge). Adjust it seasonally — for instance, you might need a slightly colder setting in summer but not during winter.
2. 🧼 Clean the Condenser Coils
Refrigerator coils (usually found at the back or bottom of the unit) are responsible for releasing the heat extracted from inside. Over time, these coils get covered with dust — especially in kitchens where oil particles and dust combine to form a sticky layer.
Dirty coils can increase energy usage by up to 30%. Cleaning them every 6 months with a brush or vacuum cleaner can significantly improve performance.
3. 🚪 Check the Door Seal (Gasket)
If your fridge door isn’t sealing properly, cold air leaks out and warm air gets in, forcing the compressor to work harder. This is a common issue, especially in older refrigerators.
Here’s a simple test:
- Place a ₹10 note or a piece of paper in the door and close it.
- If it slips out easily, the gasket is loose or damaged.
Cleaning the gasket regularly and replacing it when worn out helps maintain an airtight seal and improves energy efficiency.
4. 📦 Don’t Overload the Fridge
Our families often store large quantities of food, especially during festivals or special occasions. But overstuffing the fridge restricts airflow, making it harder to maintain an even temperature.
Try to keep the fridge around 70–85% full. This allows proper air circulation while still maintaining a thermal balance. Use organizers or baskets to store items neatly and avoid clutter.
5. ❌ Don’t Put Hot Food Directly in the Fridge
It’s common in homes to put hot curries, dal, or rice into the fridge right after cooking. But this raises the internal temperature, forcing the compressor to run longer to cool everything back down.
Let food cool to room temperature before refrigerating. This simple habit can reduce the load on your fridge and save energy over time.
6. 🚫 Open the Door Less Frequently
Every time you open the refrigerator, cold air escapes and warm air enters. The more often and longer the door is open, the more energy your fridge uses to stabilize the temperature.
Tips to reduce unnecessary door openings:
- Plan what you need before opening.
- Teach kids (and adults!) not to stand in front of the open door thinking about snacks.
- Organize food so you can access items quickly.
7. ☀️ Keep the Fridge Away from Heat Sources
In kitchens, it’s common to place the refrigerator near gas stoves, ovens, or even in direct sunlight. However, external heat forces the fridge to work harder to keep its contents cool.
To reduce energy consumption:
- Keep at least 6 inches of space between the fridge and any heat-generating appliance.
- Avoid placing the fridge near a west-facing window, especially during summer.
8. 🕰️ Defrost Regularly (for Single Door Refrigerators)
Many households still use direct-cool single door refrigerators, which build up frost in the freezer compartment. Excessive ice buildup reduces the fridge’s ability to maintain cold temperatures, leading to higher electricity use.
Manually defrost your fridge once a week or when the ice layer is more than 5mm thick. If your fridge has an auto-defrost feature, make sure it’s functioning properly.
9. 🌬️ Keep It Full — But Smartly
A moderately full fridge retains coolness better than an empty one, especially during power cuts (which still occur frequently in some regions). If your fridge is half-empty, fill the space with bottles of water — they help stabilize internal temperature and reduce the energy needed to cool the fridge back down.
However, avoid overfilling. Air circulation is key to maintaining efficiency.
10. 🧠 Consider Upgrading to a 5-Star Model
If your fridge is more than 10–12 years old, it may be consuming double the electricity of a modern model. New refrigerators with BEE 5-Star ratings and inverter compressors use significantly less power.
Though the upfront cost is higher, an energy-efficient fridge can save ₹1000–₹1500 per year in electricity bills — and even more in cities with high tariffs like Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore.
When buying, look for:
- Inverter technology (runs at variable speed, saving power)
- BEE Star Rating label (preferably 4-star or 5-star)
- Right size (don’t overbuy capacity — it wastes space and energy)
Final Thoughts: Small Steps, Big Savings
Energy efficiency starts with awareness. By adopting these simple tips, households can reduce electricity bills, extend the lifespan of their refrigerator, and contribute to a greener planet. With power costs and climate concerns both on the rise, now is the perfect time to give your fridge a little attention.
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Remember: Even saving 1–2 units of electricity per day adds up to 30–60 units a month, which could mean savings of ₹300–₹500 or more — all by just using your refrigerator smarter.
