Refrigerators have a little button that turns on and saves millions of dollars in electricity bills: Many people do not know.

Few people know that there is a small button inside the refrigerator that users should turn on in the winter to help save “basic” electricity.

Today, refrigerators are indispensable appliances in almost every family. The appliance operates continuously around the clock, both in summer and winter, helping to preserve and store the family’s food to keep it fresh longer. However, because of its continuous operation, the refrigerator is also listed as one of the most energy consuming appliances in the home. Few people know that there is a small button on the refrigerator that users should adjust in the winter to help save “basic” electricity.

To save electricity in the winter, how should the refrigerator temperature be adjusted?

Statistics from the Vietnam Electricity Corporation (EVN) in May showed that a large refrigerator consumes an average of 50-75 kWh of electricity per month, ranking third among household appliances after electric stoves and water heaters. In fact, the above figure is only an average. There are habits of use that can help save some of the electricity consumed by the refrigerator.

Especially in the dry season, this can be done with only 1 simple operation with 2 compartments – the dry compartment and the cool compartment of the refrigerator. However, not many users really know and pay attention to this operation.

This is the operation of adjusting the temperature with the buttons or display panel of the refrigerator. With just 1 small adjustment operation on the refrigerator in winter, the family’s electricity bill can be somewhat saved.

Refrigeration experts say that in winter, to save electricity, users can consider adjusting the temperature of the refrigerator to a lower cooling level.

Specifically, in today’s modern refrigerators, the temperature inside the refrigerator is regulated at levels 1-5 or 1-6. In the summer, the temperature may be at maximum or near maximum, but in the winter it is quite possible to set the temperature to level 2-3 or even 1.

At level 1, the temperature in the refrigerator will usually fluctuate between 2-5 degrees Celsius. This is the appropriate temperature level for the refrigerator to work well, to perform all the tasks of storing and preserving food, and to help the refrigerator save electricity. The same can be done with the freezer compartment.

In addition to adjusting the refrigerator temperature in winter based on the weather, users can also adjust the refrigerator temperature based on the amount of food stored in the refrigerator. For example, if the refrigerator is too full, it can be set to lower cooling levels.

Conversely, if the refrigerator has a large amount of food in it, it should be set to a high cooling level. In particular, if the refrigerator compartment contains a lot of fresh food, such as seafood, it is best to maintain a high cooling level in this compartment, around -18 degrees Celsius. This temperature level prevents the growth of bacteria and keeps food fresh longer and safer. A few tips to help your refrigerator save energy

In addition to changing the temperature of the refrigerator in winter, experts also give some advice on usage habits to help the refrigerator save more electricity consumption.

+ Reasonable location for the refrigerator

The refrigerator usually dissipates heat to the back or 2 sides. If the heat dissipation process is affected, slower than usual, the power consumption of the appliance will also increase. Therefore, depending on the heat dissipation location of the device, users should place the refrigerator so that it is not too close to the wall or other obstacles.

The refrigerator should also not be placed near other electronic appliances, such as microwaves, electric stoves, and ovens, because two appliances that generate heat together will cause the room to heat up significantly, shortening the life of the appliances.

+ Limit opening the refrigerator door for long periods of time

If the refrigerator door is left open for too long, the cold air inside the appliance will escape. This means that the compressor has to work harder to produce cold air to keep the appliance cool.