Do Side-By-Side Refrigerators Use More Electricity?

Side-by-side refrigerators are a good choice for large families due to their capacity and advanced features. Consider top brands like LG, Haier, and more for your modern kitchen.
Top Side-By-Side Refrigerators

Side by side refrigerators tend to use more electricity due to their larger capacities and wider surface areas.  These refrigerators provide additional contemporary convenience and function, which is one of the main reasons they are often seen in modern kitchens. Depending on the model, SBS features digital displays and multi-zone cooling which ensure maximum usage and storage. Moreover, side by side fridges typically have a higher volume, requiring more energy to cool the larger space. They often include features like in-door ice and water dispensers, which can also contribute to higher energy usage. Overall, they might consume more electricity, but many new models are becoming more energy efficient due to advancements in technology like inverter compressors, Wi-Fi, and numerous temperature settings, which reduce energy waste. Moreover, they are a good option for larger families or kitchens. So, have a look at the top side by side refrigerators for home solutions and electronics space to keep your food and veggies fresh and hygienic. 

Read more: Refrigerators With Wi-Fi, Touchscreens & AI Cooling Are They Worth It?

What Factors Influence Energy Consumption in Side-by-Side Refrigerators

Several factors influence the side-by-side refrigerator's energy consumption, which includes size, temperature settings, door usage, age of appliances, and ambient temperatures. Moreover, additional features including ice makers and water dispensers can increase energy use. Here, check out the detailed factors which affect the energy usage of an SBS fridge:

  • Size and capacity: Side-by-side refrigerators give a greater volume to cool, which leads to higher energy consumption.
  • Temperature settings: Lowering the temperature settings forces the compressor to work harder, increasing energy use.
  • Door Usage: Side-by-side models let water in, which is why the compressor runs more frequently to restore the desired temperatures.
  • Content and Load: Storing food also increases energy consumption, which needs to cool the incoming heat.
  • LG 655 L Frost-Free Smart Inverter Double Door Side-By-Side Refrigerator

    Side-by-side refrigerators for modern homes come with an auto-defrost function which prevents ice buildup. It has a capacity of 655 liters, making it suitable for families of 5 or more members. This inverter refrigerator provides higher energy efficiency and reduces energy usage, helping to maintain the appearance and taste of food for longer by reducing temperature fluctuations. With the multi-airflow system, this fridge maintains ideal temperatures to help keep your food fresher for longer. Its multiple digital sensors prolong food freshness by maintaining the internal and external temperatures. With a big storage capacity, this fridge lets you fit all your food in. The smart dual-ice features imply calling the LG Service helpline and placing the phone on the appliance. This refrigerator checks the air temperature to supply the optimal level of cooling to save energy and keep your food fresh.

    Specifications 

    • Capacity: ‎655 litres
    • Annual Energy Consumption: ‎270 Kilowatt Hours Per Year
    • Refrigerator Fresh Food Capacity: ‎416 litres
    • Freezer Capacity: ‎239 Litres
    • Installation Type: ‎Freestanding
    • Defrost System: ‎Frost Free
    • Door Orientation: ‎Reversible
    • Door Material: ‎Stainless Steel
    • Shelf Type: ‎Toughened Glass

    Pros

    • Mega Capacity lets you fit all your food in. 
    • Great Cooling

    Cons

    • Some found damage in the door. 

    Standout Features 

    • ‎Smart Inverter Compressor, Multi Air Flow, Multi Digital Sensors, and Smart Diagnosis
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  • Haier 602 L, 3 Star, 100% Convertible Fridge Space, Expert Inverter, Frost Free Side by Side Refrigerator

    Take a look at the top refrigerators for homes, which regulate temperature settings and come with convertible modes. This Haier fridge is just right for your modern kitchen. This 602-liter refrigerator is enabled with Wi-Fi connectivity at your fingertips, with an external, customizable LED panel which can be controlled through smart touch for effortless control. The Deo Fresh technology keeps your fridge fresh and odor-free. The expert inverter technology of this refrigerator provides greater energy efficiency, less noise, and long-lasting performance while consuming less power. The standout features of this digital refrigerator are: 100% Convertible Fridge Space, Magic Convertible Zone, Expert Inverter Technology, Magic Cooling with Deo Fresh Technology, Jumbo Ice Maker, and an External Digital Display for temperature settings.

    Specifications 

    • Capacity: 602 litres
    • Annual Energy Consumption: 528 Kilowatt-Hours Per Year
    • Refrigerator Fresh Food Capacity: 398 liters
    • Freezer Capacity: 204 Litres
    • Installation Type: Freestanding
    • Defrost System: Automatic
    • Door Orientation: Reversible
    • Door Material: Stainless Steel
    • Shelf Type: Toughened Glass

    Pros

    • It comes with an external LED display panel.
    • Jumbo ice maker

    Cons

    • Some are not satisfied with the build quality.

    Standout Features

    • Expert Inverter Technology, External Digital Display for temperature settings, Jumbo Ice Maker, 100% Convertible Fridge Space, Magic Convertible Zone, Magic Cooling with Deo Fresh Technology.
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  • Samsung 633 L, 3 Star, Frost Free, Double Door, Convertible 5-in-1 Digital Inverter, Side By Side Refrigerator

    Side-By-Side Refrigerators for large families come with a convertible 5-in-1 mode to optimize your storage needs, which includes Normal Mode, Seasonal Mode, Home Alone Mode, and more. It comes with a 633-liter capacity, which makes it a good choice for families with 5 or more members. Powered by BESPOKE AI, it analyzes refrigerator usage patterns and estimates power consumption, so if the estimated electric bill exceeds your preset target, it recommends you activate the saving mode or reduce energy use by up to 10%. The twin cooling systems technology optimizes the temperatures and humidity in the fridge and freezer using independent cooling in each compartment. Install it anywhere without time-consuming plumbing, and it also serves cold water, cubed ice, and crushed ice, taking care of your fridge more easily and providing real-time monitoring. It alerts you automatically when you need replacing or problems are detected and suggests a solution.

    Specifications 

    • Capacity: ‎‎633 litres
    • Annual Energy Consumption: ‎535 Kilowatt Hours Per Year
    • Refrigerator Fresh Food Capacity: ‎‎‎409 litres
    • Freezer Capacity: ‎224 Litres
    • Installation Type: ‎‎Frost Free
    • Door Orientation: ‎Reversible
    • Door Material: ‎Stainless Steel
    • Shelf Type: ‎Toughened Glass

    Pros

    • Noiseless operation 
    • It has a lot of space to store all the daily needs for a big family of 6 to 8 people.

    Cons

    • N/A

    Standout Features 

    • ‎Energy Efficient, Inverter Compressor, Frost Free, Automatic Defrost, Low Noise, Adjustable Shelves, and Large Capacity
    03
  • Voltas Beko, A Tata Product 472 L Side by Side Frost Free Refrigerator

    This Voltas Beko refrigerator, equipped with an inverter compressor, provides efficient and quiet operation. It also ensures smooth performance with minimal noise. You can easily organize the refrigerator with dedicated compartments. Its layout allows easy access to both fresh and frozen items. With adjustable shelves and door bins, it helps to customize storage space to fit various items efficiently. The frost-free refrigerators prevent ice build-up in the freezer, which eliminates the need for manual defrosting. It ensures consistent cooling and maintains optimal performance, making it one of the best refrigerators for homes. The dual twist tray allows for easy and quick ice removal with a simple twist, yet ensures consistent ice cube formation and provides a convenient way to serve ice.

    Specifications 

    • Capacity: ‎‎‎472 litres
    • Annual Energy Consumption: ‎‎150 Watts
    • Refrigerator Fresh Food Capacity: ‎‎‎‎294 litres
    • Freezer Capacity: ‎‎142 Litres
    • Installation Type: ‎‎Frost Free
    • Door Orientation: ‎Reversible
    • Door Material: ‎Stainless Steel
    • Shelf Type: ‎Toughened Glass

    Pros

    • Easy to Organize
    • The dual twist ice tray allows for easy and quick ice removal with a simple twist.

    Cons

    • Some are not satisfied with the installations.

    Standout Features 

    • ‎Inverter Compressor, Digital Temperature Control, Freezer Light, Frost Free
    04
  • Midea 560 L Side By Side, Water Dispenser

    Midea is a popular refrigerator brand which is perfect for larger families, offering ample space for storing fresh and frozen foods with ease. The side-by-side door design enables better organization and quick access to both the fridge and freezer sections. A built-in water dispenser provides convenient access to chilled water without opening the fridge door, saving energy. The inverter compressor technology delivers efficient cooling, less noise, and a longer compressor life, while the multi-air flow system ensures even cooling throughout the refrigerator, which keeps the food fresher for a longer time. Its digital temperature control allows precise setting of the temperature for customized cooling.

    Specifications 

    • Capacity: ‎560 litres
    • Installation Type: ‎Freestanding
    • Power Source: ‎Corded Electric
    • Annual Energy Consumption: 468 Kilowatt Hours Per Year
    • Refrigerator Fresh Food Capacity: ‎350 litres
    • Freezer Capacity: ‎210 Litres

    Pros

    • It is designed for maximum storage. 

    Cons

    • Some found a water leakage issue. 

    Standout Features 

    • ‎Inverter Compressor, Digital Temperature Control, Water Dispenser, Automatic Defrost, Stabilizer Free Operation
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Do Side-By-Side Refrigerators Use More Electricity Than Other Types?

Yes, side-by-side refrigerators generally use more electricity than other types, such as top-freezer models. This is primarily because of their larger surface area, which leads to heat exchange with the fridge when the door is opened or closed. Furthermore, side-by-side fridges have separate compartments, which leads to slightly less efficient cooling compared to a single-compartment system, though many models utilize an inverter compressor which adjusts the speed based on the cooling demand, leading to more efficient operation, which reduces energy consumption. So you can say that these fridges can be energy efficient due to their advanced technologies, like inverter compressors and adaptive cooling systems.

Tips To Reduce Electricity Usage In Side-By-Side Refrigerators

To minimize electricity consumption in side-by-side refrigerators, focus on maintaining optimal temperatures, ensuring proper door seals, and maximizing the airflow. Here are some factors to consider that help to reduce the electricity usage in smart side by side refrigerators.

  • Regularly defrost the freezer and keep it full, but not overcrowded, and cool it before storing items.
  • Clean the door seals and the recent cold air from escaping, replace and repair damaged seals.
  • Open the door only when necessary and for short periods.
  • Allow the hot food to cool down to room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator, as hot water raises the internal temperature, causing the refrigerator to work harder.
  • If your refrigerator is not frost-free, then regularly defrost the freezer to prevent ice build-up.
  • Arrange your food items to allow for proper air circulation within the fridge.

Read more: The Future of Food Storage: Are Convertible Freezer Refrigerators Worth It?

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Faq's

  • Are newer side-by-side refrigerators more energy-efficient than older models?
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    Yes, newer side-by-side fridges are generally more energy-efficient than older models. These refrigerators incorporate advanced technologies, regulatory standards, and are leading to significant energy savings.
  • What is the difference between side-by-side and multi-door refrigerators?
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    Side-by-side fridges tend to have less storage space for wider items, but excel in organization with adjustable shelves and door compartments. Multi-door fridges, on the other hand, offer flexibility to handle larger quantities and varieties of food, making them ideal for families with diverse needs.
  • Which fridge consumes more electricity?
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    A 2-star refrigerator consumes approximately 15% more energy than a 3-star model, which results in higher electricity bills over time.