Do Fridge Magnets Increase Energy Consumption? Here’s What Manufacturers Say

Many of us know someone who collects fridge magnets. They’re usually the type of people who appreciate receiving magnets as souvenirs when you travel. And if you don’t know anyone like that, you might be the magnet collector yourself.

You might have also heard the urban legend that keeps popping up in online videos: The idea that fridge magnets increase our fridge’s energy consumption.

Why exactly? Some believe this happens because the magnets create magnetic fields that interfere with the appliance’s electrical current.

What Do Manufacturers Say?

We’ve reached out to several refrigerator manufacturers. Although this might not have been the question the brand representatives were expecting to answer, the ways of the Internet are unpredictable.

First, LG put us in touch with their technicians, who promptly shut down the popular urban myth. Here’s what they said:

“The only issue that magnets placed on our refrigerators could cause is staining or scratching of the door.

Increases in energy consumption may occur when the door is opened, when the outside temperature rises (e.g., in summer), or when hot food is placed inside, among other scenarios.”

For its part, Bosch told us something similar, adding that placing many magnets on the door can shorten the life of the hinges. However, this isn’t due to the effect of a magnetic field but because of the weight.

“If you use only a few magnets on the refrigerator door, the device isn’t expected to malfunction. Scratches may occur on the surface.

However, if many magnets are placed on the refrigerator door that the weight of the door increases enormously, the service life of the door hinges may be shortened.”

Along the same lines, magnet supplier First4Magnets has a dedicated page on its site to debunk this myth:

“The magnets themselves do not consume any electricity, they are simply small magnetic objects that adhere to the metal surface of a fridge, the magnetic force between the fridge and the magnet keeps the magnet in place, but it does not draw any electricity or alter the function of the fridge.”

Additionally, multinational electric company Endesa also denied in 2019 that decorative magnets increase electricity consumption.

“The entire myth is totally false, including the scientific studies it quotes and the possibility that these magnets may be detrimental to the food stored in the fridge. The truth is that the magnetic fields of these magnets are so insignificant that they don’t even cross the fridge door.”

There’s No Scientific Base for the Myth

Magnetic decorations produce very weak magnetic fields that have a very limited range, so they can’t pass through the refrigerator door.

This is why refrigerators have magnetic seals on the doors to ensure they close tightly.

To impact a household appliance, you would need an extremely strong magnet. In fact, we’d need an electromagnet to increase its power consumption, as a user on the Physics Forums forum pointed out in 2012.

How to Reduce the Power Consumption of a Refrigerator

To reduce your refrigerator's energy consumption, there are two key aspects to consider. First, you should observe sustainable usage practices, such as avoiding leaving the door open, refraining from setting the temperature too low, and placing different types of food in their respective storage areas. It’s also important to wait for food to cool down before placing it in the refrigerator.

Lastly, performing regular maintenance is essential. This includes checking the door seals and preventing the accumulation of ice in the freezer.

Image | Sunguk Kim (via Unsplash)

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