Curious about the power consumption of a mini fridge? Discover energy-saving tips for using a compact fridge.

Do you have a small mini fridge in your room and wonder, 'Does this mini fridge consume a lot of electricity?' This article answers that common question and provides tips on using a mini fridge efficiently to save energy.

Is a mini fridge power-hungry? Learn how to use a mini fridge efficiently to save electricity.

A mini fridge is a household appliance with a small capacity, typically designed with a single door. It is crafted to meet the needs of students, those living in dorms, singles, or easily placed in bedrooms and hotel rooms.

Explore the world of the mini fridge—a compact and convenient home appliance.

- Space-saving: The small capacity allows the mini fridge to efficiently utilize storage space. Its single-door design and compact size make it a perfect addition to bedrooms or office spaces.

- Affordable Price: With a low price point, a mini fridge is a suitable choice for customers on a tight budget.

- Energy Efficiency: The small capacity helps reduce energy consumption, lowering monthly electricity costs.

- Easy to Move: Mobility makes it convenient to move and place in various locations.

 The compact size of a mini fridge optimizes space and enhances energy savings.

- Lack of Antibacterial and Deodorizing Features: Mini fridges often do not come equipped with antibacterial and deodorizing technology, requiring users to maintain hygiene regularly.

- Small Capacity: The restricted capacity limits the storage capability for food and beverages, reducing the practicality of use.

- Limited variety and brands to choose from: Consumers have a restricted selection when it comes to choosing the design and brand of mini fridges.

The cooling and odor-removing technologies in mini fridges are still quite limited.

To measure the electricity cost of using a mini fridge in a month, you need to know the fridge's power consumption. This information is usually found in the user manual or on the label at the back of the fridge.

Using the fridge's power to determine the amount of electricity consumed

For instance, if your fridge has a power consumption of 120W and runs continuously for 24 hours:

120W×24 hours = 2880Wh.

Whereas, 1kWh = 1000Wh and 1kWh = 1 unit of electricity

Therefore, 2880Wh = 2.88kWh = 2.88 electricity units

The government electricity rate is 1.584 thousand dong per unit of electricity.

Hence, the daily electricity cost of the mini fridge is approximately:

2.88 electricity units × 1.584 thousand dong per unit = 4.55616 thousand dong

So, the estimated monthly electricity cost is about 136.6848 thousand dong.

Although mini fridges generally consume less power compared to larger refrigerators, there are still factors that can increase electricity consumption. Here are some main reasons:

- Overloading the fridge with food: Placing too many items in the fridge can increase the mass that needs to be cooled, making the fridge work harder and consume more electricity.

- Frequent opening of the fridge: Opening the fridge door frequently and leaving it open for extended periods can raise the internal temperature, forcing the fridge to work harder to maintain the desired temperature.

- Fridge running out of coolant: If the mini fridge is running out of cooling gas, the appliance has to operate at a higher capacity to maintain the internal temperature, leading to increased energy consumption.

- Damaged fridge gasket: If the fridge door seal is not tight, the interior space will lose cold air, causing the fridge to work harder to maintain the desired temperature and increasing electricity consumption.

Fridge overloaded

- Properly organize your groceries: Arrange food items with adequate spacing to allow for efficient airflow. Avoid overcrowding, as it not only increases pressure inside the fridge but also makes the compressor work harder, leading to unnecessary energy consumption.

Organize groceries properly

- Limit frequent door openings: Every time you open the door, cold air from inside the fridge escapes, and the compressor has to work harder to maintain the temperature. Therefore, it's essential to minimize frequent openings of the mini fridge.

- Adjusting the temperature appropriately: For a mini fridge, setting the temperature at an appropriate level is a crucial factor in saving energy. Depending on the food storage conditions, adjust the temperature accordingly. The freezer temperature should be kept around -15 °C, while the refrigerator compartment is best set between 2 - 4°C.

- Avoid putting hot items directly into the fridge: Do not place hot beverages from the oven into the mini fridge immediately without allowing them to cool down first. This helps reduce pressure inside the fridge and decreases the compressor's operating power.

- Do not place the fridge against the wall or near a heat source: Placing the mini fridge against the wall or near heat sources like ovens can increase the internal temperature and pressure, making the compressor work harder. To ensure optimal performance, maintain a distance between the fridge and the wall, and avoid placing it near heat sources.

- Check the fridge seal: Regularly inspecting and maintaining the door seal helps keep the fridge operating efficiently and reduces energy consumption.

- Regularly clean the fridge: Dust and frost buildup inside the mini fridge can reduce cooling efficiency and increase internal pressure. Regular cleaning helps the compressor operate more efficiently and reduces the risk of unnecessary energy consumption.

Regular fridge maintenance is essential

Despite its small capacity, a mini fridge offers many conveniences in storing food and beverages. Apply the mentioned tips to maximize the benefits that a mini fridge brings.