Many people don’t realize that a refrigerator has a simple setting you can adjust during the colder months that helps cut energy use. With one small change, you can lower your electric bill while still keeping your food at the right temperature.
Refrigerators work around the clock, making them one of the biggest energy consumers in the home. A full-size fridge typically uses about 50–75 kWh each month—only slightly less than major appliances like stoves and water heaters. Since they never stop running, even minor adjustments can lead to meaningful savings.
Most fridges come with a temperature knob or digital control panel, usually numbered from 1–5 or 1–6.
Energy experts recommend switching the fridge to level 2–3, or even level 1 during colder months. On the lowest setting, most fridges still stay around 2–5°C, which is ideal for food safety but uses less electricity.
The freezer can be adjusted as well. Lower cooling levels work fine for everyday frozen items, but if you’re storing a lot of fresh meats—especially seafood—keep the freezer at -18°C to maintain quality and prevent spoilage.
Turning down your refrigerator’s cooling level during winter—along with using simple energy-smart habits—can help you:
A tiny tweak really can lead to noticeable savings in energy and money.
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