Does a lot of food in the fridge mean high power consumption? TECHBOOK asked an expert.
A well-stocked refrigerator not only looks good, but also creates a positive feeling in many people. And, conversely, who doesn’t know the feeling of being disappointed to find out on Sunday that there isn’t enough to cook something delicious? But given the prices, does that at least save electricity because more mass consumes more energy? Jürgen Ripperger from Association of Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (VDE) knows the answer.
Filling consumes a lot of energy
In fact, as is so often the case, the answer is yes. It depends on how long the food has been in the fridge. The reason: air cools faster than water. “Food consists largely of water and therefore requires more energy for the cooling phase immediately after being placed in the refrigerator,” Jürgen Ripperger told TECHBOOK. If you put new food in the refrigerator, it initially uses significantly more electricity to cool it down.
Water, on the other hand, can store cold better than air. “Therefore, it stays cold longer in a filled fridge without using any energy. The same principle as when using cold packs,” says expert Ripperger.
Also interesting: tips for saving electricity in the household
User behavior determines the power consumption of the refrigerator
So the biggest factor in the electricity consumption of a refrigerator is not whether it is full or empty, but our own behavior. Every time the refrigerator is opened, the air heats up. “The result: the energy requirement for cooling to the set control value increases,” says Ripperger.
This is different with a full refrigerator because the cold is stored in the water-containing food. As a result, the refrigerator cools down less when opened and therefore requires less energy. In general, the power consumption of refrigerators depends on usage behavior, especially on the frequency with which the door is opened and the length of time it is open. On the other hand, one can of course argue that we open a full fridge more often than an empty one. So it really depends on the individual case.
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The power-saving tips from the experts
In addition to the opening duration and the number of door openings, consumers should also observe the manufacturer’s recommendations. The expert knows that this can save users a lot of energy. Even devices with a relatively low electrical connection load can consume a lot of extra electricity if the manufacturer’s recommendations are not followed. The location of the refrigerator is particularly important. “A refrigerator requires more energy the more difficult it is to dissipate the heat to the surrounding air. Good ventilation of the rear of the refrigerator, where the heat exchanger is located, significantly improves efficiency,” says Jürgen Ripperger.
It is therefore crucial to set it up in the coolest area of the kitchen, especially not in the direct vicinity of a heat source such as a stove. Consumers should also think carefully about what size they really need, because smaller models naturally also consume less energy. Older refrigerators should also be replaced if possible. A new device, including the purchase price, can still be cheaper than the annual electricity bill for an old device.
Ripperger also explains: “It is important for consumers to know that icy heat exchangers inside a refrigerator significantly reduce efficiency and significantly increase electricity consumption. With simple appliances without ‘no-frost technology’, the only thing that helps is regular defrosting by the user.”