Cut Summer Fridge Costs: How Many Dollars You Save for Each Degree Warmer

Cut Summer Fridge Costs: Your Savings Effect per Degree

If you raise your refrigerator temperature in summer from 4 °C to 6–7 °C, you’ll save—depending on household type and appliance—about €5–€20 per year per degree. Up to 7 °C, food usually keeps well if you store it correctly.

In this guide, you’ll see:

• what each extra degree specifically costs or saves,
• which temperature makes sense for your household,
• how to measure the temperature correctly,
• how to track the savings in your household budget.

Comparison Table: How Many Euros Each Degree Saves—by Household and Appliance Condition

The figures are sample values for summer operation in Germany. Assumptions:

• Electricity price: €0.35 per kWh
• Summer = heavier runtime, annualized to the full year
• Energy savings per degree warmer: approx. 5–8%

Household types:

• Single: small fridge, rarely opened
• Couple: medium fridge
• Family with 2 kids: large fridge, opened often
• Shared apartment with 4 people: large fridge, opened very often

Example: A family with a mid-aged refrigerator saves about €17.50 per year annualized when moving from 4 °C to 7 °C (€105.00 to €87.50). Each degree brings roughly €6 on average.

Step 1: Choose the Recommended Refrigerator Temperature

Important: Colder isn’t always better. Many households cool more than necessary.

• In summer, 5–7 °C in the fridge is usually enough.
• The bottom shelf is often a bit colder, the top shelf a bit warmer.
• Put meat and fish in the coldest area (usually at the very bottom).

Guidance by household:

• Single / couple: 6–7 °C is often sufficient if you use food up quickly.
• Family / shared apartment: 5 °C in the main compartment is a good middle ground.

Your benefit: According to the table, you often save €10–€35 per year just by changing the setting. You don’t need to buy anything new.

Step 2: Measure the Temperature Correctly (Not Just the Dial)

The dial usually only shows levels or symbols. It doesn’t tell you how many degrees it really is. Here’s how to check the actual temperature:

• Buy a simple refrigerator thermometer (inexpensive at discount stores).
• Place it on the middle shelf, not in the door.
• Wait at least 12 hours without opening for long.
• Read the temperature.
• Turn the dial slightly warmer or colder.
• Wait again and re-check.

This way you can hit your target temperature, for example 5 or 6 °C, and use the savings potential from the table on purpose.

Step 3: Quick Check in Your Household Budget—How Much Does Your Fridge Cost?

You can only manage your savings if you know roughly what the refrigerator costs. Here’s what to do:

• Look at your monthly electricity payment, for example €90.
• As a rough rule of thumb: cooling appliances (fridge + freezer compartment) often account for 10–15% of electricity use.
• At €90 per month, that’s about €9–€14 per month.
• Convert that to a yearly number: for example €11 × 12 = €132 per year.

Now compare with the table:

• Find your household type and appliance condition.
• Check: Are your estimated costs in a similar range?
• If not, your appliance may be very old, placed in a very warm spot, or used inefficiently.

In your household budget (for example in MyMicroBalance), create a separate category such as “Cooling appliances electricity”. That makes the effect of the change easier to see later.

Step 4: Load the Fridge Optimally—How to Save Even More

With better habits, you often save another €5–€15 per year. The table shows what a degree is worth. Typical savings effects by behavior:

• Air circulation: Don’t stuff the fridge full. Leave air between items.
  • Effect: The appliance has to work less. That saves roughly €2–€5 per year, depending on size.
• Don’t leave the door open: Plan what you need before opening. Take multiple things out at once.
  • Effect: Families and shared apartments can save about €5–€10 per year this way. The fridge has to re-cool less.
• Let hot food cool down first: Put pots and casseroles in the fridge only once they’re no longer hot.
  • Effect: Depending on usage, you save an estimated €3–€8 per year.
• No ice on the walls (if there’s a freezer compartment): Thick ice layers increase consumption.
  • Effect: Regular defrosting often saves an additional 5–15% of the freezer compartment’s consumption.

You can roughly cross-check the effect using the table. Example: Your fridge costs €100 per year according to the table. 10% better habits then deliver about €10 in savings.

Step 5: Evaluate an Old Appliance—When Is Replacing It Actually Worth It?

A new refrigerator costs a lot of money. You should check whether replacing it pays off through electricity costs. Use the table for this.

Here’s a rough way to calculate:

• Look up what your current type costs (for example “Family, old/inefficient” at 5 °C: €117.25).
• Compare it with “Family, new/efficient” at 5 °C: €78.75.
• Extra cost per year for the old appliance: €117.25 − €78.75 = €38.50.

Now you can set a threshold:

• If your old appliance uses more than €40–€60 per year more than a new one, switching is often worth considering.
• The higher electricity prices rise, the more likely replacement pays off.
• If the difference is only €10–€20, replacement often only makes sense if the appliance is likely to break soon anyway.

You can take the annual extra burden from the table and compare it with the purchase price of a new appliance. This is not investment advice—just a simple household comparison.

Step 6: Seasonal Check—Once in Summer, Once in Fall

Your refrigerator works differently in summer than in winter. With a fixed ritual, you keep your electricity budget stable.

At the start of summer (May/June):

• Use the thermometer to check the temperature on the middle shelf.
• Set the recommended temperature from the table (for example 5 °C for a family).
• Reorganize the fridge:
  • Front: foods that expire soon.
  • Back: longer-lasting products.
  • Top: leftovers, sauces, jam.
  • Bottom: meat, fish, highly perishable items.
• Record the date and the new setting in your household budget.

In fall (October/November):

• Check the temperature again.
• You may be able to go slightly colder (for example from 6 °C to 5 °C) because the room air is cooler.
• Compare your power bills or meter readings.
• Make a quick note: “Summer setting saved about €X” (adjusted to your table).

This builds a small routine. Your benefit: You only have to take action twice a year, but you save again every year.

Practical Action Plan: What You Can Do Today in 30 Minutes

• 1. Measure temperature: Put a thermometer on the middle shelf.
• 2. Check the table: Choose household type and appliance condition, and read the current estimated cost.
• 3. Adjust degrees: Set to 5–7 °C depending on your household. Each degree often brings €3–€10 per year according to the table.
• 4. Tidy the fridge: Leave air, let hot food cool, close the door quickly.
• 5. Set up your budget tracking: Add the category “Cooling appliances electricity” and note the start date.

If you implement these steps, you combine three effects: a better temperature, better habits, and a clear overview in your household budget. That’s how you unlock steady savings potential from your refrigerator—without giving up fresh food.