The biggest electricity guzzler in the home: the fridge-freezer

When electricity prices rise, most people immediately think of heating. Yet one quietly running appliance uses a surprising amount of energy in the background – and in many homes it sits right beside the coffee machine. Anyone serious about getting their bills under control should start by looking there.

Household electricity: a small share, a sizeable bill

In an average home, electricity accounts for only part of total energy use. Heating and hot water clearly take the biggest share of the budget, but electricity still makes a substantial contribution: around 17 per cent of all energy spending goes on electrical appliances – averaging well over €1,000 each year.

This includes every everyday helper: lighting, kitchen appliances, washing machines, entertainment equipment, computers, routers and chargers. Many operate quietly in the background, while others are used only for a few hours at a time. One appliance, however, is barely ever switched off.

“The biggest electricity user in the home is usually not the television – it is the appliance that is never switched off.”

Heating and hot water remain the largest items in a household energy budget. But anyone aiming to reduce costs in detail cannot ignore electrical appliances, particularly one specific appliance.

The real constant runner: fridge-freezer

It is so commonplace in most kitchens that few people consider its electricity bill: the fridge or fridge-freezer. Its continuous operation is precisely what makes it the leading contributor to annual electricity consumption.

While an oven or dishwasher is used only occasionally, a fridge cycles on and off around the clock. All of those short cooling periods add up considerably – and appear directly on the bill.

“A typical fridge-freezer uses around 346 kWh a year – more than any other household appliance.”

That puts it clearly at the top of the household’s biggest electricity users. At 30 cents per kWh, this amounts to more than €100 annually for this appliance alone.

How the main appliances compare for electricity use

Typical annual consumption figures reveal where electricity is really disappearing. The following are average values and may vary depending on the model and how it is used, but they provide a clear indication:

• Fridge-freezer: approx. 346 kWh per year
• Tumble dryer: approx. 301 kWh per year
• Freezer (separate): approx. 288 kWh per year
• Television: approx. 187 kWh per year
• Fridge (without freezer compartment): approx. 166 kWh per year
• Dishwasher: approx. 162 kWh per year
• Electric oven: approx. 146 kWh per year
• Electric hob: approx. 131 kWh per year
• Desktop PC: approx. 123 kWh per year
• Games console: approx. 103 kWh per year

This order often comes as a surprise. A gaming evening may feel energy-intensive, whereas the hum of a tumble dryer or the subtle buzz of a refrigeration unit is far less noticeable to most people.

That is exactly where the misconception lies: appliances that run intensely for a short time rarely catch up with one that is constantly in use. A tumble dryer used several times a week or a console played at weekends consumes less overall than an appliance working without interruption.

Why refrigeration becomes so expensive

From a cost perspective, refrigeration appliances have several drawbacks:

• They operate every hour of the day, including when nobody is at home.
• They must constantly offset the difference in temperature between the inside and the kitchen.
• Older models are often far less efficient than modern appliances.
• A poor location, such as directly beside the cooker, increases consumption even further.

In addition, many households own more than one cooling appliance – perhaps an old second fridge in the cellar or an extra chest freezer. Every additional appliance running continuously adds to the annual bill.

Simple changes with a noticeable impact

Many households have already adopted initial energy-saving measures: LED bulbs instead of old incandescent lamps, shorter showers and a slightly lower heating temperature. Over the course of a year, these steps can certainly make a difference.

However, the potential to save electricity through appliances often remains untapped, even though the measures are relatively straightforward. Alongside using the tumble dryer or oven more consciously, two factors matter most: the purchase decision and day-to-day use.

“Anyone who considers energy efficiency when buying an appliance can reduce its consumption by 20 to 50 per cent – and do so for many years.”

What to consider with a fridge

• Location: Do not position it directly beside a cooker, radiator or dishwasher. Any additional heat source makes the appliance work harder.
• Distance from the wall: Leaving a few centimetres of space behind the appliance improves ventilation and reduces the load on the compressor.
• Set the right temperature: Around 7°C is usually sufficient for the fridge compartment, while the freezer should be set to about −18°C. Lower temperatures bring hardly any benefit but use more electricity.
• Do not leave doors open: Every prolonged opening lets warm air inside, which then has to be cooled down again.
• Defrost regularly: A thick layer of ice in the freezer compartment acts as insulation, so the compressor runs for longer to reach the target temperature.
• Check older appliances: A 15-year-old fridge can easily use twice as much electricity as a current, more efficient model.

When buying a replacement pays off

A new appliance requires an upfront outlay. Even so, replacing a very old model often pays for itself after only a few years. Switching from an energy-hungry older appliance to an efficient fridge-freezer can save several dozen euros each year.

For example, if an old fridge uses 500 kWh annually and a new model uses only 250 kWh, costs fall by €75 per year at 30 cents per kWh. After a few years, the purchase will have paid for itself even at a mid-range price.

Beyond the fridge: habits that reduce your electricity bill

It is worthwhile to focus on the hidden appliance that runs constantly, but an electricity bill is made up of many individual elements. Tackling several areas at once makes the benefit noticeable more quickly.

When purchasing appliances, many consumers still focus primarily on price, brand and features. Energy efficiency can easily be overlooked, even though it can account for several hundred euros over an appliance’s lifetime.

Identifying electricity guzzlers: practical everyday tips

Anyone wanting to know precisely where energy is being used at home can gain clarity with simple tools. A classic example is a plug-in electricity monitor. It shows, in real time, how much power an appliance is currently drawing – including in standby mode.

A typical process could look like this:

• Monitor the fridge-freezer with a plug-in electricity monitor for one week.
• Calculate the figures over a full year and compare them with the manufacturer’s specification sheet.
• Decide whether replacement or a better location would make sense.
• Gradually replace the biggest problem areas with more efficient solutions.

Energy supplier smartphone apps or smart-meter displays can also help identify peaks in consumption – for instance, when several large appliances are operating at the same time.

What many people underestimate: small effects, large totals

No individual measure is a miracle cure. Meaningful relief comes from combining approaches: slightly more efficient appliances, more conscious use, less standby consumption and attention to constant runners such as fridges and freezers.

Small adjustments are especially significant for refrigeration appliances. A unit that is better positioned, regularly defrosted and sensibly set can save kWh year after year without making everyday life more complicated. Choosing a more economical model at the same time reduces electricity demand in the long term.

For many households, an honest look at the kitchen is more worthwhile than being frustrated by the games console or PC. The real energy guzzler is often standing right beside the sink – quietly humming away.