A fridge is one of the most important electrical appliances in the home. The choice of fridge can have a significant impact on your everyday convenience, energy consumption and environmental impact. In this article, we will provide tips on what to look for when selecting a fridge and how to use it efficiently in your everyday life to ensure that it’s an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly household appliance.

Energy efficiency – smart and sustainable choice

When purchasing any electrical appliance, it is important to read the energy efficiency label – it provides important information about the power, electricity consumption, noise level, and other characteristics of the appliance. One of the most important factors when choosing a fridge is its energy efficiency class. The higher the class, the less power the device consumes, and the higher the quality of its operation.

Capacity matters. The larger the fridge, the more electricity it consumes. Choose the capacity of your fridge based on the size of your family, the quantity of food you need, and the frequency of cooking. If your previous fridge was half-empty all the time, maybe you should buy a smaller one next time.

Location of the fridge. Remember that only fridges designed to be embedded in kitchen furniture may be built-in. When a stand-alone fridge is embedded, you will see a huge increase in power consumption. Furthermore, keep in mind that built-in fridges consume about 20% more power than stand-alone ones.

Technology in synergy with sustainability. Modern fridges are equipped with various technologies that not only improve user-friendliness and make everyday life easier but also help to reduce energy consumption.

• Wi-Fi connectivity/AI, which enables remote control of your fridge. Thanks to this functionality, you can change the settings of your fridge remotely – via the manufacturer’s app or even by voice control. It also analyses the usage habits of the fridge and manages electricity consumption. If the set target values are exceeded, the user is advised to activate the power saving mode, i.e., the compressor speed and operation are optimised, and the freezer temperature settings are adjusted. And that’s not all – some models also offer the possibility to remotely monitor the contents of your fridge thanks to the cameras installed in it. Thus, even when you are out shopping, you can see what’s in your fridge and buy what’s missing. You can also get meal recipes based on the products available in your fridge.
• Holiday mode. In this mode, the freezer can be left on at the optimum temperature for the storage of frozen products, while the fridge compartment can be emptied, leaving only products that need to be stored for a long time. Thus, when leaving your home for a long period of time, you do not have to use up frozen products within a short time or discard them upon your return. This promotes sustainable action.
• Flexible storage options. Some fridge models offer storage options that enable adjustment of the volume of the fridge. There are fridges that enable the division of the product shelf into two temperature areas – for instance, a lower temperature can be set for meat and fish on one side, while on the other side – a higher temperature can be set for fresh fruit and vegetables. This means that you don’t have to change the temperature of the entire fridge compartment, with only individual sections needing to be adjusted, which results in saving electricity and keeping your food fresher and better quality for longer. There are also fridge models that offer you the option of changing the humidity level on individual shelves.
• A signal that indicates inefficient action. A distinct signal indicating that the fridge door has been open for a long time is a useful feature in terms of energy efficiency. It is common knowledge that opening the fridge door lets warm air into the fridge, which requires cooling afterwards and, consequently, higher electricity consumption.

Advice on how to reduce the electricity consumption of a fridge on a daily basis:

• It is important to keep an eye on the temperature of the fridge – the optimum temperature is +5 °C for the fridge and -18 °C for the freezer (or in accordance with the user manual).
• To avoid unnecessary electricity consumption, it is recommended to fill the fridge to at least 60%, but not more than 90% – position the products so that the air can circulate.
• Install the fridge as far as possible from sources of heat, such as heaters, cookers and other appliances that emit heat, and away from direct sunlight. We also do not recommend putting your fridge too close to a wall or inside a niche, as this will prevent the circulation of air and increase power consumption. There should be 5–10 cm of free space around the refrigerator for air circulation (or in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer).
• To ensure maximum energy efficiency, it is important to regularly clean and check the functionality of the refrigerator. It is recommended to unplug the fridge at least once a year, clean and air it, as well as defrost the freezer (if the fridge doesn’t have a 'No frost' function), as every extra centimetre of ice increases the electricity consumption of the freezer.
• Check how tightly the refrigerator’s door closes. If it is difficult to pull out a sheet of paper pressed in the refrigerator door, everything is fine. If the sheet slips out of the door, we recommend cleaning the sealing rubber, and if it’s damaged, replacing it so that warm air doesn’t enter the refrigerator.

Selecting an energy-efficient appliance not only means that you receive a modern and convenient appliance but also an environmentally friendly solution. This fridge will help in reducing the electricity consumption and costs of your household while ensuring that your food is stored in the best conditions for the long-term benefit of both your family and the environment. For advice on the choice of other electrical appliances, use and care thereof, click here.