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When it comes to household energy use, your refrigerator might not be the first appliance that comes to mind—but it should be. As one of the few devices that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the refrigerator is often one of the top energy consumers in a home. Fortunately, keeping your fridge running efficiently doesn’t require expensive upgrades or major changes. With a few simple adjustments, you can boost performance, lower your energy bills, and extend the life of your food.

The Sweet Spot: Set the Right Temperature

Let’s start with the basics: your fridge should be set between 35°F and 38°F (1.5°C–3°C) and your freezer at 0°F (-18°C). This is the ideal range to keep your food safe from bacteria while ensuring your fridge isn’t using more power than necessary.

• If your fridge is colder than 35°F, it’s overworking—and potentially freezing items it shouldn’t.
• Warmer than 38°F? You risk spoilage and food safety issues.

Use a fridge thermometer to verify the internal temperature if your appliance doesn’t have a digital display. It’s a small investment that can save you in spoiled groceries and wasted energy.

Don’t Overload—or Underload

A moderately stocked fridge is actually more efficient than an empty one because food and drinks help absorb the warm air that enters when you open the door. That said, packing your fridge to the brim can block air circulation, forcing the appliance to work harder to maintain an even temperature.

Tips:

• Keep space between items to allow cold air to flow freely.
• Don’t block vents.
• If your fridge is often near-empty, store a few water jugs inside to help stabilize internal temperature.

Check the Door Seal (It’s More Important Than You Think)

The rubber gasket around your fridge door—called a door seal—is critical in maintaining efficiency. If the seal is loose or cracked, cold air escapes, making your fridge work overtime to stay cool.

How to test:
Close the door on a dollar bill. If it pulls out easily without resistance, the seal needs replacing. Clean the gasket regularly to prevent debris from affecting its grip, and replace it if it shows signs of wear.

Be Mindful of Door Habits

We’re all guilty of standing in front of the fridge deciding what to eat, but this common habit causes cold air to escape and forces the compressor to work harder. The longer the door is open, the more energy is wasted.

Smart habit shifts:

• Know what you want before opening the door.
• Organize food so commonly used items are easy to grab.
• Encourage kids (and adults) to limit open-door browsing.

Cool It Before You Store It

Placing hot food directly into the fridge raises the internal temperature, which not only uses more energy but also risks spoiling nearby items. Let food cool on the counter (for no more than 1–1.5 hours, to stay food-safe), then refrigerate.

Regular Maintenance = Better Efficiency

A little care goes a long way. Here are quick maintenance tips that help your fridge run better and last longer:

• Vacuum the condenser coils (usually behind or beneath the fridge) twice a year.
• Defrost manually if your model doesn’t have auto-defrost and frost builds up.
• Clean interior vents and fan areas to allow full airflow.

Upgrade When Ready

If your fridge is over 10 years old, even with great habits, it may still be draining energy. Consider upgrading to an ENERGY STAR® certified refrigerator, which uses up to 40% less energy than older models. Over time, the savings in energy costs can offset the upfront investment.

The Big Picture: Why Fridge Efficiency Matters

Optimizing your refrigerator might seem like a small action, but in reality, it has ripple effects:

• Lower energy bills for your household.
• Reduced strain on your local power grid—especially in warmer months.
• Less food waste, since a properly functioning fridge keeps food fresher longer.
• Lower greenhouse gas emissions, because every bit of energy saved reduces your carbon footprint.

Whether you’re living solo, with roommates, or managing a busy family household, making your fridge more efficient is an easy, effective way to contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.

As part of our 12 Days of Energy Savings, optimizing your fridge is your Day 9 step toward a more energy-efficient home. Stay tuned for more daily tips to reduce waste, save money, and care for our planet—one habit at a time.

Small steps lead to big savings—keep your fridge cool, and your impact cooler.