How to reduce your electricity Bill 02 : The Refrigerator

Refrigerators are one of the most energy-consuming appliances in your home, accounting for up to 50% of a household's electricity consumption in Sri Lanka. Reducing the energy consumption of your refrigerator can help you save on your electricity bills and make your home more energy-efficient.

Staff WriterFeb 22, 2023

How to reduce your electricity Bill 02 : The Refrigerator

A refrigerator is one of the most energy-consuming devices in your home. According to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Sri Lanka; 30% to 50% of the electricity consumption of a general household in Sri Lanka can be attributed to the energy consumption of the refrigerator.

Types of Refrigerators

When it comes to household refrigerators there are two main types,

Traditional conventional refrigerator
Inverter type refrigerators

Traditional (Non-Inverter) refrigerator

Traditional refrigerators, also known as non-inverter refrigerators, are the most common type of refrigerators found in households. They operate by using a compressor that cycles on and off to regulate the temperature inside the refrigerator. When the temperature inside the refrigerator rises above the desired level, the compressor turns on and circulates the refrigerant through the system, absorbing heat from the interior and transferring it outside. The refrigerant is then condensed and the process starts over again.

Non-inverter refrigerators have a fixed-speed compressor that runs at a constant speed whenever it is activated. This means that the compressor is either fully on or fully off, with no variation in its speed. As a result, these refrigerators can be less energy-efficient than inverter refrigerators, as they consume more energy to start and stop the compressor each time. . You might have noticed this cycle in your traditional refrigerator that at one point the unit gets quiet and then compressor works again.

To regulate the temperature inside the refrigerator, non-inverter refrigerators rely on a thermostat that controls the frequency at which the compressor turns on and off. These refrigerators are generally less expensive than inverter refrigerators, but they may produce more noise and temperature fluctuations due to their cycling compressor.

Inverter Type Refrigerators

The inverter refrigerator is a type of refrigerator that has a special compressor designed to operate at varying speeds. The compressor, which is a critical component of the refrigerator that compresses the refrigerant gas and circulates it through the cooling system, is also known as the inverter itself.

What makes an inverter refrigerator different from traditional refrigerators is the fact that the compressor can run at lower speeds for longer periods of time. This is because the inverter compressor is able to adjust its speed to match the cooling demand, making it more energy-efficient than traditional compressors.

For example, if the door of the refrigerator is left open for an extended period, the compressor will detect the loss of cold air and start operating at a higher speed to compensate for the warm air coming in. On the other hand, during the night when there is less activity, the compressor will run at a slower speed, using only the energy necessary to maintain the temperature of the refrigerator.

Because the inverter compressor can adjust its speed according to the user's needs, it can save up to 20-30% on electricity bills compared to traditional refrigerators. Additionally, the inverter compressor is more durable and produces less noise than traditional compressors, making the inverter refrigerator a popular choice among consumers who are looking for an efficient, durable, and quiet cooling solution for their homes.

So, Should I buy a new one?

As discussed in this article above;it would be ideal for you to go for a new refrigerator when it comes to energy efficiency. However, energy efficiency may not be the only fact that you should consider when making a purchasing decision with regard to a refrigerator in Sri Lanka.
Even though you decide to purchase a new refrigerator to reduce the electricity cost; the cost of refrigerators may raise your eyebrows as well. The cost of a normal two-door refrigerator with a capacity of 250 liters - 300 liters ( (suitable for a household with 4-5 members) may vary from 120,000 LKR to 260,000 LKR.

How can I reduce consumption with the existing Refrigerator?

So following are some tips for you to reduce the electricity consumption of your refrigerator.

Storage tip: Cover products with polythene wrap before putting them in the fridge. Keep liquids in tightly-sealed containers.

Choose a refrigerator that will meet the needs of the house. Refrigerators with high capacities consume more energy. As previously discussed in this article refrigerators with higher capacities are more energy efficient than refrigerators with smaller capacities. However, for a household that is focused on controlling the monthly electricity bill, it is not worthwhile to go for a refrigerator with an extra capacity.

Minimize the number of times the refrigerator door is opened. The amount of electricity used will increase if hot air enters the refrigerator.

Keep the refrigerator's backside out of direct sunlight and away from hot air.

To ensure that the rear of the refrigerator has adequate ventilation, provide a 10-inch space between it and the wall.

Keep the coils at the rear of the refrigerator free of dust and check the fan vent. The compressor works harder and consumes more electricity when the coils are dirty.

In conclusion, it is pretty obvious that normal households will have to incur a considerable additional cost in using the refrigerator with the recent tariff hike. If you currently own a relatively new refrigerator with a decent energy efficiency rating; it is recommended to try and reduce the unwanted energy consumption of the refrigerator, the above-mentioned tips might help you.

However, it would be a good idea to buy a new one if you are using an old refrigerator since it would have a direct impact on the monthly cost considering the new electricity charges. The initial investment of purchasing a new refrigerator is a considerable one, you could try to buy one on an installment basis. The fact of the matter is, If you didn’t buy one, you would be paying a significant portion of your monthly installment to CEB as your electricity bill anyway.