A wrong temperature setting will have a big impact on your electricity bill. Just one small gesture can change everything…
Summer is here and with the heat, your refrigerator has to work harder to keep your food fresh. Setting the temperature of your refrigerator correctly is crucial to optimize food preservation and reduce your energy bills. An incorrect setting can significantly increase your electricity consumption.
The rule of thumb is that the ideal temperature for a refrigerator is between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius throughout the year. However, in summer, it is recommended to reduce this setting slightly to compensate for the ambient heat. But be careful, this is only a small adjustment. Lowering the temperature excessively in summer can result in higher energy consumption, as the refrigerator is already working harder to maintain an adequate temperature.
The rule to remember is simple: lower the temperature of your refrigerator by a small degree compared to your usual setting the rest of the year. This drop is enough to ensure proper operation and good preservation of your food. For those who use refrigerators with graduated knobs, it is advisable to set the thermostat according to the available scale. For example, if your refrigerator goes from 1 to 5, set the knob to 3. For those going from 1 to 7, set it to 4, and for models from 1 to 10, position it at 6. These settings allow you to maintain an interior temperature close to 4 degrees Celsius, while taking into account variations in summer heat.
To more accurately check the actual temperature inside your refrigerator, you can use a thermometer. Place it in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator and leave it for about 20 minutes before reading the temperature. This method provides a more accurate measurement than taking it directly from the air in the refrigerator.
Also make sure to maintain good air circulation in your fridge. Avoid overloading it, as this can interfere with the even distribution of cold. Make sure the fridge is installed with enough space around it – about 5cm on the sides and 10cm above – to avoid overheating, especially in summer.
Finally, pay attention to the management of door openings. Opening the door too often or for too long lets in hot air, which forces the appliance to work harder to maintain the temperature. Also avoid placing hot food directly in the refrigerator, as this increases the internal temperature and the effort of the motor. With all these small gestures, you are sure to take good care of your refrigerator and the precious food it contains.