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Life Tips 01/06/2025 18:57

Adjusting this little knob on your refrigerator can save you a fortune on your electricity bill


As temperatures rise and air conditioners work overtime, smart refrigerator temperature management emerges as a crucial yet often overlooked strategy to significantly reduce your household electricity consumption.
Introduction: Summer Energy Consumption and Hidden Power Savers

Every summer, the demand for cooling devices like fans and air conditioners skyrockets, causing electricity bills to surge noticeably. While many focus on optimizing these appliances, few realize that making small, informed adjustments to other household electrical devices—particularly refrigerators—can yield substantial power savings.
Last summer, EVN statistics highlighted refrigerators as one of the top electricity consumers in Vietnamese households. Operating continuously to preserve fresh produce and keep food safe, refrigerators run non-stop 24/7. However, a minor tweak to the temperature control knobs on your fridge’s compartments can lead to meaningful electricity bill reductions without sacrificing freshness or safety.
Understanding Refrigerator Temperature Controls

Most refrigerators feature rotary knobs to adjust temperatures, usually found in both the fridge and freezer compartments. These knobs are typically numbered from 1 to 7, indicating increasing levels of cooling power, with “MIN” for the lowest and “MAX” for the highest cooling.
Experts with years of appliance experience recommend adjusting these controls based on the amount of food stored:

  • When the fridge is 2/3 full or more, set the temperature dial to 4 or above to ensure sufficient cooling. This level prompts the compressor to operate at full capacity, preserving freshness and safety effectively. Nonetheless, experts caution against routinely using the highest setting except when the fridge is fully loaded.

  • When the fridge is less than half full, dial down the cooling to medium or low (levels 2-3). This reduces compressor workload, cuts electricity consumption, and still maintains proper food preservation.

For households maintaining an average, stable amount of food, the ideal setting is generally around 4 for the fridge compartment. For freezers holding fresh items, a temperature between -18°C to -16°C is recommended. Vegetables and fruits stored in specialized crisper drawers perform best at approximately 2-4°C.
Temperature Controls: Rotary Knob and Slider Types

Besides the rotary knobs, many modern refrigerators feature sliding temperature controls, especially for freezer compartments. These sliders typically have three levels: low (MIN), medium (MID), and high (MAX), adjusting the airflow strength within the freezer.
Users can easily set these sliders to the desired cooling intensity, providing a more intuitive way to optimize freezer temperature and efficiency.
Additional Refrigerator Electricity-Saving Tips

Beyond temperature adjustments, here are expert-recommended practices to maximize refrigerator efficiency and lower power consumption:
1. Choose the Optimal Refrigerator Location
Proper placement enhances heat dissipation, allowing your fridge to operate efficiently. Avoid positioning refrigerators too close to walls or heat sources such as ovens, rice cookers, microwaves, or direct sunlight. Ensuring ample airflow behind and around the appliance reduces energy waste.
2. Minimize Door Opening Duration
Prolonged or frequent door opening lets cold air escape and warm air enter, forcing the compressor to work harder. Some new smart refrigerator models include alerts that notify users when doors remain open too long, helping to reduce unnecessary power usage.
3. Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
Dust accumulation on condenser coils and vents hampers heat exchange, causing compressors to overwork and consume excess electricity. Regularly clean the refrigerator’s coils and ensure condenser fans are dust-free.
Pay close attention to rubber door gaskets which may degrade over time. Damaged seals cause cold air leakage, increasing energy consumption and reducing cooling efficiency.
Experts advise cleaning refrigerators every 2-3 months and conducting thorough maintenance checks every 6-12 months.
Expanding Your Energy Savings: Smart Appliance Use and Household Habits

In addition to optimizing your refrigerator settings, adopting energy-conscious habits across other household appliances can significantly reduce overall electricity bills:

  • Use energy-efficient LED lighting inside the fridge, as older bulbs generate unnecessary heat.

  • Organize food to avoid overstocking or leaving items forgotten past expiry, which wastes energy in preserving spoiled food.

  • Defrost manual defrost refrigerators regularly to prevent ice buildup, which reduces cooling performance.

  • Use timers or smart plugs for other high-energy devices to minimize standby power usage.

Conclusion: Smart Refrigerator Management is Key to Reducing Your Summer Energy Bills

The summer heat can drive up household electricity costs, but smart management of refrigerator temperature settings and diligent maintenance can substantially mitigate these increases. Adjusting the cooling level to match your food storage volume, maintaining proper appliance placement, and practicing careful door usage are simple yet powerful ways to save energy.

By combining these strategies with good household habits, you can enjoy a cooler home, fresher food, and notably lower electricity bills — all while contributing to environmental sustainability.

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