Refrigerators are the appliances that consume the most energy in the home, because they're the only ones that are in use around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They consume around 31% of all household appliances and represent 14% of your home's total electricity consumption .
Hence the importance of choosing wisely and looking for a low-consumption, energy-efficient refrigerator that will allow us to save on our electricity bills. The most expensive refrigerators are those with the highest efficiency ratings, so depending on your budget, you'll need to find a balance between the initial price and the savings it can bring to your bill in the long run.
Energy efficiency class
At the end of February 2021, the Official State Gazette (BOE) published the new European classification for household appliances. This time, the classification ranges from A to G. Switching from a refrigerator with a G energy rating to one with an A rating means a reduction in consumption of more than 50%.
Most modern appliances typically have Class A ratings, which allow for energy savings of up to 20% in the home. Class A and Class A ratings offer 40% savings, while Class A+ and Class A+++ are highly efficient, offering up to 60% less energy consumption.
Refrigerators with the letter A are the most economical, although their market price is higher than those in lower categories.
The reason they are more expensive is because energy efficiency requires manufacturers to adjust their production to certain sustainability parameters, making them more expensive than other, larger-run, less energy-efficient ranges.
How much does a refrigerator consume in watts (kWh)?
Consumption is linked to the refrigerator's energy efficiency class. This is important for understanding how much a low-consumption refrigerator consumes and how much savings an efficient appliance actually provides.
It's generally worth buying an efficient refrigerator, as it consumes 5 times less than a less efficient refrigerator.
If we multiply this difference by the useful life of refrigerators (which is usually 15 years), it represents a significant saving, and is also sustainable, responsible, and environmentally friendly.
Consumption according to its energy class: kWh per year
A+++ refrigerator: they are usually between 150 kWh and 175 kWh
A++ refrigerator: between 250 kWh and 290 kWh
A+ refrigerator: between 300 kWh and 325 kWh
Refrigerator A: around 375 kWh
Refrigerator B: 506 kWh
Refrigerator C: 647 kWh
How to save on your electricity bill: more efficient use of the refrigerator
We've already seen the energy and economic costs of a refrigerator, as well as the fact that it's the appliance that consumes the most energy, so we must use it efficiently and sustainably.
It must be used correctly to maximize its features and reduce energy consumption. In general, the correct use of household appliances determines their energy consumption. A refrigerator can consume up to 12% of the total energy bill, multiplying its harmful emissions.
So how do we spend less?
The OCU (Organization of Consumers and Users) shares some tips for saving energy when using the refrigerator.
Keep the door closed as much as possible. How long should I keep the refrigerator open?
It's important to know that when the refrigerator is closed, it hardly uses any energy. What does this mean? If we open the refrigerator, select what we need, and then close it, we'll be using it efficiently. It's recommended not to use the refrigerator for more than 10 seconds to avoid reactivating the cooling mechanism and wasting energy.
Regulate your temperature well.
Food is stored at an optimal temperature between 3º and 5ºC. Beyond this temperature, adding colder temperatures will increase consumption by 7%.
Each space, depending on the location of the food, has its own temperature. For example, a freezer temperature between -10º and -15ºC is more than sufficient to preserve food; there's no need to raise it to -20ºC. This increase can increase our energy consumption by up to 30%.
Finally, the OCU recommends removing frost (just 2 mm increases consumption by 10%).
In addition to these tips, we can keep in mind some other helpful things, such as: not placing the refrigerator near heat sources (radiators, ovens, etc.); not piling all the food on the same shelf so the cold is distributed evenly; defrosting regularly; not storing hot food, etc.
However, many of the new models feature technologies that improve performance and incorporate energy-saving features , such as Digital Inverter technology, which makes the car quieter and more efficient; Metal Cooling, which reduces the spread of cold air and helps maintain the interior temperature, no matter how many times the door is opened or closed; the No Frost system; the MultiAirflow system, etc.
Stars of the freezer
Freezer stars are classified according to the temperature they are capable of reaching to keep all our foods perfectly frozen.
- 4 stars . They freeze at temperatures as low as -24 degrees, and are the most common type of refrigerators found in all types of homes.
- 3 stars. Allows you to preserve previously frozen foods. They are not suitable for direct freezing, as they cannot reach temperatures below -18°C, which is the temperature required to eliminate microorganisms.
- 2 stars: reaches up to -12 degrees
- 1 star: reaches up to -6 degrees
Ability
It's very important to keep in mind that refrigerator capacity is closely related to consumption. If it's too large and doesn't fill up, it consumes more, and if it's too small, it will be full of stored food and you'll have to go shopping a lot more. You should choose a refrigerator that has enough capacity to meet the needs of the number of people in your home.
A 125-liter refrigerator is sufficient for one person, and a 400- to 500-liter refrigerator is ideal for a family of three or four.
Drawers and compartments
Most models include compartments and drawers that allow for independent temperatures and divide the spaces according to the type of fresh food, meat, and fish.
It is also important to keep in mind that the temperature of the refrigerator is not always the same; it is not the same in winter as it is in summer, due to the ambient temperature.
Lightning
Most refrigerators incorporate LED lighting . This lighting reduces energy consumption and preserves food better. Ultraviolet light slows the decomposition process in foods such as fruits and vegetables.
Selection of cheap and energy-efficient refrigerators
We've prepared a selection of affordable and inexpensive refrigerators with good features. Some are energy-efficient, so you can save on your bill in the long run.
Hisense RT267D4AWF
Hisense RT267D4AWF is a simple, basic, and very economical two-door refrigerator .
Its net capacity is 205 L with Energy Class A+ , it is more sustainable, consumes less energy and saves money throughout the year.
The freezer's 4 stars certify maximum freezing capacity. It preserves all the properties of frozen foods for long periods of time.
It has reversible doors that allow it to open to the right or left, depending on the space requirements, and an integrated handle. The legs are also adjustable and can be fixed to any surface.
Thanks to its adjustable thermostat, you can have precise temperature control.
Hisense RT267D4AWF is a silent model, with 40 dBA , so you can stay calm without any noise bothering you.
Its dimensions are (Width x Height x Depth) (Cm): 55 x 143.4 x 54.2
Teka - Model NFL 342C
Teka NFL 342 C is a free-standing combi refrigerator with a separate fridge and freezer .
It has an A++ energy efficiency rating, is low-consumption, and is quite economical. It features a Total No Frost system in both the refrigerator and freezer, has 4 freezing stars, and a "Super Cool" function.
It has rapid freezing and cooling, a FreshBox drawer and three safety glass shelves, as well as five transparent balconies in the door and three transparent drawers in the freezer.
It is very comfortable because it has electronic control with interior controls and LED interior lighting.
The handle is integrated and features reversible doors in fingerprint-proof stainless steel, as well as height-adjustable front legs.
Its total capacity is 308 gross liters, of which 219 is net refrigerator capacity and 76 net freezer capacity.
It is a silent refrigerator, with a noise level of 49 dB.
Its dimensions are: (height x width x depth) cm: 188.0 x 59.5 x 63.5
ChiQ FBM260L
ChiQ FBM260L is a refrigerator-freezer with electronic control, which manages and monitors the desired temperature directly on the device.
Its dynamic cooling system helps maintain a stable temperature, prevent freezing, and thus better preserve the most sensitive foods.
It features three glass shelves so you can adjust the space to your storage needs, and a double-door polythermal area for efficient and more practical storage.
It has a Quick Freeze function suitable for long-term storage, preserving the freshness of food for a long time.
Multi-level temperature control . Freezing modes adapt to the season.
Operating noise of only 39 db.
As for the capacity, it is 260L (187L + 73L freezer).
It has a low energy consumption, 215 kWh per year, which gives it an F energy rating.
It is made of stainless steel with reversible doors. Its dimensions are: 54 x 55 x 176 cm
Bosch KNG33NWEA
Bosch KGN33NWEA is a No Frost combi refrigerator with a transparent MultiBox drawer and a wavy base, helping to preserve your fruits and vegetables.
This refrigerator features NoFrost technology so you don't have to defrost it. Unlike conventional refrigerators, NoFrost refrigerators don't generate frost.
FreshSense sensors constantly monitor and control the ambient, refrigerator, and freezer temperatures. The result is a constant temperature inside the refrigerator, regardless of the outside temperature. This is a decisive factor for greater freshness and flavor of your food.
The "Super Freeze" function is especially recommended when adding a large amount of food to freeze and store for a long period. Appliances equipped with this "Super Freeze" function resume normal operation once they reach the required temperature, thus avoiding wasted energy. Good for your food. Good for energy consumption.
Uniform temperatures throughout the refrigerator thanks to multiple air vents located on the back wall. Temperature fluctuations are minimized and cooling times are reduced, improving the preservation of different foods.
Its interior lighting is LED , and also features a SoftStart effect. Cool, bright, long-lasting, and energy-efficient lighting.
It includes 1 MultiBox drawer , transparent and with a wavy base, ideal for storing fruits and vegetables.
It has a reversible right-hand door and integrated horizontal handles.
Its total gross/useful capacity: 306/279 litres, it has energy efficiency class E and its dimensions are (height x width x depth without handle): 176 x 60 x 66 cm
INFINITON FGC-A182NF
INFINITON FGC-A182INF is a combi refrigerator, made of stainless steel and fingerprint-proof.
It incorporates Bi-Zone digital interior temperature control and total No Frost technology , with 4 stars in the freezer.
The FGC-A182INF Combi refrigerator has a capacity of 287 liters. Thanks to its E energy rating, you'll see significant energy savings on your electricity bill.
It has 4 safety glass shelves in the refrigerator, 3 balconies in the refrigerator door, 1 Crisper Box drawer in the refrigerator, 2 Easy Access drawers in the freezer and 1 large-capacity BigBox drawer in the freezer.
It has a reversible double door with a magnetic seal-closure, height-adjustable legs, and a metal exterior handle.
It has interior LED lighting and its dimensions are: 180 x 59.5 x 59.2 cm
