Most people don’t realize their refrigerator has a small control button (or dial) that should be adjusted in winter to save electricity. Since fridges run 24/7, they are among the most power-hungry appliances in the home—using roughly 50–75 kWh per month.

In winter, you can lower your fridge’s cooling level because the surrounding temperature is already cold. Modern fridges usually have settings from 1–5 or 1–6. While summer often requires higher settings, winter only needs level 1–3, which keeps food safely stored while reducing power use. The freezer can also be set slightly lower unless it’s full of fresh meat or seafood, which needs about –18°C.

You can also adjust temperatures based on how full the fridge is:

• Nearly empty: use a lower setting.
• Very full: raise the cooling level.

Extra tips to save more electricity:

• Keep the fridge away from walls, heat sources, and other appliances so it can release heat properly.
• Avoid leaving the door open—cold air escapes and forces the compressor to work harder.

A simple adjustment in winter can noticeably lower your electricity bill while keeping your food fresh and safe.