It’s a common scenario in many kitchens: the refrigerator door covered in travel souvenirs, children’s drawings, shopping lists and unpaid bills. On social media, however, the idea has been circulating that these small decorative objects may be increasing energy consumption by interfering with the device’s electronics.
According to Endesa and the Spanish Consumers and Users Organization (OCU), this fear is, in practice, a myth: the magnetic field of decorative magnets is too weak to alter the functioning of the refrigerator or increase the electricity bill.
The verdict on magnetism
The notion that the magnetic field of the magnets “shuffles” the motor, the thermostat or the refrigeration cycle is not confirmed in normal use. According to the OCU, although electrical currents interact with magnetic fields, the field generated by souvenir magnets is so small that it cannot modify the current that powers the refrigerator. Endesa goes in the same direction by highlighting that these fields are so insignificant that they do not even go through the appliance door.
There is, however, a nuance: he says that, in refrigerators with a touch screen, a strong magnetic field could, in theory, cause distortion of the screen, but he considers this very unlikely with common decorative magnets.
Where the real danger lies
The real risk is not in the magnetism, but in what a magnet (or an object held by a magnet) can cause mechanically. As the Spanish portal Maldita.es explains, one of the ways to save energy is to ensure that nothing prevents the door from closing properly and that the rubber seal is in good condition. If a very thick magnet, spring-loaded clip or bulky souvenir rests against the edge, it may prevent a perfect seal. And when cold air escapes and hot air enters, the compressor has to work harder to recover the temperature.
A simple test helps you understand if there are losses: the US Department of Energy’s Energy Saver guide recommends closing the door with a sheet of paper (or a note) in the middle, half inside and half outside. If the paper comes out easily, there may be a problem with the sealing or adjustment of the closure, and this could result in additional consumption.
The human factor and habits
Interestingly, the biggest enemy of energy efficiency is not the magnet, but rather the way we use it. When we transform the refrigerator door into a “control panel” with weekly menus, complex messages or new photographs, we tend to keep the door open longer while we read or reorganize these items.
Every second the door is open forces the engine to make an extra effort in thermal recovery. To save energy, experts recommend keeping the door closing area free of obstacles and ensuring that the rubber is clean and flexible. A simple test with a sheet of paper (which should stay stuck when closing the door) can reveal whether your refrigerator is sealing well or whether it is wasting money, regardless of the decoration it has.
Also read:
