Refrigerators' operating time and power consumption are greatly affected by ambient temperature. Therefore, different settings should be selected for different seasons. The refrigerator thermostat should be set to a low setting in summer and a high setting in winter.
In summer, when the ambient temperature is high, it should be set to a low setting (2 or 3). In winter, when the ambient temperature is low, it should be set to a high setting (4 or 5). The reason is that in summer, the ambient temperature is high (reaching 30℃). If the freezer compartment temperature is set to a high setting (4 or 5), it can reach below -18℃. The large temperature difference between the inside and outside makes it difficult for the internal temperature to drop even by 1℃. Furthermore, cold air loss through the insulation layer and door seals is accelerated. This results in long operating times and short off times, causing the compressor to run at high temperatures for extended periods, consuming more electricity and potentially damaging the compressor.
Switching to a low setting (2 or 3) significantly reduces the refrigerator's operating time, decreases compressor wear, and extends its lifespan. Therefore, the thermostat should be set to a low setting in hot summer weather. When the ambient temperature is low in winter, if the thermostat is still set to a low setting, the compressor may have difficulty starting due to the small temperature difference between the inside and outside. In refrigerators with a single cooling system, the freezer compartment may even defrost.
The correct temperature setting for the refrigerator compartment is 5-7 degrees Celsius. This ensures food preservation while avoiding resource waste caused by setting the temperature too low.
