The placement of your fridge might be slowly costing you more in the electricity bill, and you might not even realise it.
Truth is, a wall-hugging fridge or placing your fridge too close to the wall makes it use more electricity due to the poor ventilation in that placement.
The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) recommends leaving a minimum space of 10cm between the fridge and the wall, especially at the back, to allow airflow.
"Did you know that placing your fridge too close to the wall makes it use more electricity? Always leave a space (minimum of 10cm gap) between the fridge and the wall, especially at the back, to allow airflow," Kenya Power advises.
This proper ventilation prevents overheating, reduces noise, saves energy, and keeps your fridge running efficiently for longer.
The reason why more electricity is used when there is no proper ventilation is that it obstructs the airflow needed to cool its condenser coils.
This trapped heat forces the compressor to work harder and run longer to maintain the internal temperature, which significantly increases energy consumption.
In addition to leaving space, you can also improve ventilation by placing it in a cool place to avoid overheating. This is where its placement within the kitchen layout also matters.
This could include ensuring that it is positioned away from the cooker, heater and direct sunlight, or any other hot appliance.
Save your electricity bill by also securing those rubber seals on your refrigerator doors, as they play a vital role in maintaining temperature. When secured, they trap the temperature inside, no matter how hot it might be outside.
Trapping the cold air in could also be achieved by avoiding frequent opening of the fridge for long periods throughout the day.
Other tips to follow to ensure your fridge uses less energy include cooling food before storing it and even cleaning the coils located outside your fridge. With time, the coils tend to be a magnet for dust and dirt, and the buildup makes it harder to remove heat from your chilled food.
Ultimately, proper ventilation prevents overheating, reduces noise, saves energy, and keeps your fridge running efficiently for longer.
