After the Lunar New Year holiday, refrigerators are often packed with leftover food. Not only can this lead to unpleasant odors, but it can also cause your electricity bill to rise significantly.

According to experts from EVN, the electricity cost of a refrigerator can account for approximately 16%–22% of a household’s total annual power consumption. However, by following a few energy-saving refrigerator tips, you can reduce your electricity expenses after the holiday season and throughout the year.

1. Organize Food Properly

• Avoid overloading the refrigerator so that cold air can circulate freely.
• Store fresh foods such as vegetables, meat, and fish in the refrigerator compartment, and frozen items in the freezer.
• Use airtight containers or zip-lock bags to prevent moisture loss, which forces the refrigerator to work harder to maintain its temperature.

2. How to Identify the Refrigerator’s Biggest Energy-Wasting Culprit

A worn or damaged door gasket (seal) is often the main reason a refrigerator consumes excessive electricity. When the seal no longer closes tightly, cold air escapes and the appliance must run continuously to maintain the desired temperature.

The A4 Paper Test

To check whether your refrigerator door seal is still in good condition, all you need is a sheet of A4 paper.

How to Do It

1. Take a sheet of A4 paper (or any thin sheet of paper).
2. Open the refrigerator door.
3. Place the paper between the door gasket and the refrigerator body.
4. Gently close the door.
5. Try pulling the paper out.

Results

• If the paper is tightly trapped and requires force to remove:
  The gasket is still in good condition and sealing properly.
• If the paper slides out easily with little or no resistance:
  The gasket is worn or loose and should be replaced. Otherwise, cold air will continue to escape, causing higher energy consumption and reduced cooling performance.

3. Place the Refrigerator in a Cool, Well-Ventilated Area

Avoid placing the refrigerator directly against a wall or near heat sources such as stoves, microwaves, or direct sunlight.

Maintain at least 15–20 cm (6–8 inches) of clearance around the unit, especially at the back, to allow proper heat dissipation.

If the refrigerator is located in a hot environment, the compressor must work harder, increasing electricity usage. Many households reorganize their kitchens after the holiday season, making it a good time to relocate the refrigerator if necessary.

4. Set the Right Temperature

• Refrigerator compartment: 5–8°C (41–46°F) is sufficient.
• Freezer compartment: -18°C (0°F) is generally ideal.

As the weather becomes warmer after the holiday season, you may be able to adjust the settings slightly to save energy while still keeping food fresh.

5. Choose an Energy-Efficient Refrigerator

If your refrigerator is old and consumes a lot of electricity, consider replacing it with a model that has a high energy-efficiency rating.

Inverter refrigerators can typically reduce energy consumption by 20–30% compared with conventional models, making them particularly beneficial for larger families.

6. Avoid Opening the Door Too Frequently

After the holidays, people often open the refrigerator repeatedly to grab snacks or leftovers.

Try to take out everything you need at once instead of opening and closing the door multiple times. Each time the door is opened, the refrigerator must work to restore the lost cold air.

7. Don't Keep the Refrigerator Too Empty or Too Full

A nearly empty refrigerator uses more energy because it must cool a larger volume of air.

On the other hand, an overstuffed refrigerator restricts airflow, reducing cooling efficiency and increasing energy consumption.

Ideally, the refrigerator should be about 70–80% full, providing enough food storage while allowing proper air circulation and efficient operation.