Quick tips for choosing an energy efficient fridge

Look for the energy star rating – the stars illustrate energy efficiency
More stars = more savings!

Look for the energy consumption numbers on fridge labels – this tells you the expected energy use in kilowatt/hour per year so you can compare different models and choose the most energy efficient fridge.

Choose the right size fridge to save energy – if it’s too big for your needs it just wastes electricity.

French door fridges save energy because you can open one narrow door at a time so less cold air escapes, while top-mount fridges use 10-15% less energy than side-by-side fridges of the same size.

Don’t put your fridge in the path of a heat source – oven, dishwasher or direct sunlight – if you do it has to work harder to stay cool. If it can only go beside a heat-generating appliance put insulation between them. Fridges need a 5–8 cm gap all around them so air can circulate otherwise running costs can increase by up to 15%.

If a fridge door is accidentally left ajar cold air escapes and more has to be created to maintain the temperature. Some energy efficient fridges have self-closing mechanisms that keep doors sealed to prevent energy waste.

Having a hatch or drinks door on the front gives you access to frequently used drinks without opening the door all the time so you save energy.

Icemakers and water dispensers reduce the need to open the door and are super convenient but these features do increase energy use by 14-20%.

Some energy efficient fridges have holiday mode, while other eco-friendly fridges have temperature-regulating technology that’s energy saving.