How to reduce the power consumption of my refrigerator and freezer?

The right location

• Place your fridge or freezer in the coolest place away from any heat sources (oven, radiator, direct sunlight, etc.);
• Take into account the climate class of your appliance (namely the room temperature it was designed for). If it starts with the letter:

- 'N': your appliance will be less efficient in temperatures below 16°C.
- 'SN': your appliance will be less efficient in temperatures below 10°C.
- 'ST': your appliance is subtropical and can work in temperatures between 18°C and 38°C.
- 'T': Your appliance is tropical and can work in temperatures between 18°C and 43°C.

• Do not install any appliances in rooms where the temperature is below 10°C;
• Make sure your appliances have sufficient ventilation (in particular if they are built in) to avoid breakdowns and increased energy consumption due to overheating. To do so, do not block any openings designed for this purpose and comply with the recommended distance away from the wall.

The right temperature

Set the temperature of your fridge to between 4 and 5°C, and your freezer to -18°C (1°C colder increases your energy consumption by 5 to 10%).

Good maintenance

• Defrost your freezer (or the freezer compartment of your fridge) at least once a year or more often if ice builds up. In fact, just 2 mm of ice means the appliance consumes 10% more energy;
• Regularly dust the radiator located on the back of your appliance;
• Repair the door seals if they no longer close correctly (or replace the appliance if this is too expensive);
• If you will be away from home for an extended period of time, empty your appliance completely, clean it with a special disinfectant, then turn it off or unplug it and leave the door open.

Proper daily use

• Open the door of your appliance as little as possible and for as little time as possible;
• Wait until your food has cooled down before placing it in the appliance;
• Defrost your food 24 hours in advance in the fridge (it is not just safer in terms of bacteria, but is also helps your appliance stay cold);
• Do not overfill your appliance (air must be able to circulate);
• If the appliance is not full enough, fill the empty space with polystyrene blocks;
• Wrap up food stored in your appliance (as this reduces the amount of ice that forms and stops food drying out).