Top 5 tips: save energy with your fridge

Saving energy with your fridge is good for the environment, but also for your wallet. If you keep the placement, maintenance, and use of your fridge in mind, you can quickly save a lot on your energy bill. Even with less efficient fridges. This way, you can even stay below the price cap. Even with less energy-efficient fridges. You can see how energy-efficient your fridge is on the energy label.

• Tip 1. Give your fridge space
• Tip 2. Defrost the freezer compartment
• Tip 3. Turn the fridge off when you're not using it
• Tip 4. Don't place hot food in the fridge
• Tip 5. Close the door properly

A fridge has to be able to get rid of its heat. If the appliance can't get rid of the heat, it'll have to work harder to stay cool. You can save energy by leaving enough room between the back of the fridge and the wall you've placed it against. Leave a space of at least 10cm to ensure good air circulation. Take care to regularly dust off the back, or the vents in case of a built-in fridge, with a vacuum cleaner or a soft brush.

You should defrost the freezer compartment of a fridge without anti-ice buildup 5 to 6 times a year. The ice buildup in the appliance doesn't only take up space, but every 2mm of buildup increases the energy consumption by about 10%. Don't feel like defrosting? A fridge with anti-ice buildup offers a solution. You only have to defrost a fridge with Low Frost once a year. You never have to defrost a fridge with No Frost.

Turn off your fridge or use the vacation mode if you're going on vacation for a longer period of time. This allows you to turn off the thermostat of the fridge compartment while the thermostat of the freezer compartment still works. You should empty and clean the appliance first, of course. That way, you won't run into any unpleasant surprises after your vacation. Once the fridge compartment is empty and clean, you should leave the door ajar to prevent bad smells and mold.

Let food cool down first before you put it in the fridge. If you place warm food in your fridge, it'll have to work harder to stay cool. This works the other way around as well. You can save energy by letting your frozen food defrost in the fridge. It'll take longer than defrosting the food outside of the fridge, but the low temperature of the frozen products will help keep the fridge cool.

Consider what you want to take out off the fridge before you open the door. This way, the door won't be open unnecessarily. Make sure to close the door properly, so cold air can't escape and warm air can't get in. If you occasionally clean the rubber door seals with hot water, they won't get dirty and they'll stay flexible. This will ensure the door keeps closing well.

You can easily save energy. On our website, you'll find all the tips for in the kitchen, laundry room, or your home office. That way, you help the environment and your energy bill stays below the price cap. For example, turn your heating down a notch or wash at 30°C.