When the outside temperature rises, the refrigerator has to work harder to maintain the inside temperature. Every time the door is opened, hot air from the environment rushes in, causing the compressor to run more continuously. Therefore, many families believe that lowering the refrigerator temperature in the summer is necessary to preserve food better.
In fact, with most modern refrigerators, this is unnecessary. As long as the appliance maintains the recommended temperature, food will be safely preserved even on hot days.
With just a few minor adjustments in usage, refrigerators not only preserve food better in the summer but also operate more reliably, save electricity, and have a longer lifespan (Photo: Spinchill).
The ideal temperature does not change with the seasons.
According to experts, the refrigerator compartment should be maintained below 4-5 degrees Celsius to limit bacterial growth. A setting of around 3 degrees Celsius is considered ideal as it is sufficient to keep food fresh for longer while preventing ice buildup in the coldest areas inside the refrigerator.
If the temperature is lowered too much, some foods may develop ice crystals, affecting their quality and flavor. Meanwhile, if the temperature rises by around 10 degrees Celsius, food will spoil quickly due to the rapid growth of bacteria.
For the freezer compartment, a temperature of around -18 degrees Celsius is suitable for long-term food preservation.
Should you turn the air conditioner up when it's hot?
Many people believe that the hotter it gets, the colder the refrigerator should be. However, this is not a necessary solution if the refrigerator is still functioning normally.
Newer refrigerator models typically display the temperature electronically, making it easy for users to check if the appliance is cooling correctly. Meanwhile, many older models only use rotary knobs with markings from 1-5 or 1-7. In this case, the most accurate way to check is to use a thermometer placed inside the refrigerator.
For more reliable results, you can place two thermometers in the upper and lower compartments and monitor them after a day. If the temperature approaches or exceeds 4 degrees Celsius, increase the cooling setting by one notch and recheck after about 24 hours.
For refrigerators with rotary knobs, setting 3 or 4 is usually a reasonable starting point. Users can then adjust the temperature up or down depending on the actual temperature inside the refrigerator.
If you've increased the cooling level but the food still isn't cold enough, or the appliance runs almost continuously all day, it could be a sign that the appliance needs cleaning or maintenance instead of continuing to lower the temperature.
Habits that help your refrigerator run more efficiently.
Besides setting the correct temperature, daily usage also greatly affects the refrigerator's ability to keep things cold.
Avoid "standing still and hesitating".
One common habit is leaving the refrigerator door open for too long while searching for food. Each time this happens, a large amount of hot air enters, causing the refrigerator to consume more electricity to cool down again. Therefore, you should determine what you need beforehand and limit opening the door frequently.
In the event of a power outage, especially during the rainy season, it's best to minimize opening the refrigerator door to retain the cold air for as long as possible.
Make the most of the space.
A refrigerator with a moderate amount of food will also keep things colder than one that's too empty. If there aren't many items inside, you can add a few chilled bottles of water to help maintain a stable temperature.
Smart arrangement
You shouldn't stack food in a way that blocks the vents, as this will hinder the circulation of cold air. Cooked food should also be allowed to cool to room temperature before being placed in the refrigerator to avoid raising the internal temperature.
Regular cleaning
Regular cleaning of the condenser coils at the back or bottom of the refrigerator will help the appliance operate more efficiently. You should also check the rubber seal on the refrigerator door, clean it when dirty, and replace it if it is leaking to prevent cold air loss.