Millions of households are still looking for ways to cut everyday energy costs, and experts say one simple cleaning job could make a noticeable difference. It has nothing to do with switching providers or buying new appliances. Instead, it involves the fridge, which runs constantly and is one of the biggest users of power in the home.

Many people assume fridges use the same amount of energy all year round. But that isn’t the case. Over time, dirt builds up in places most people never check, and this can increase running costs. That is why appliance experts are urging households to focus on one easy task that helps the fridge work properly and use less electricity.

The job is cleaning the refrigerator coils, which sit either behind the fridge or underneath it. 

Amy Chernoff, an appliance expert at AJ Madison, told Better Homes & Gardens that dirty coils can dramatically reduce efficiency. 

She said: “Condenser coils release the heat removed from inside your fridge. When they get covered in dust, pet hair, or kitchen grime, they can’t do their job efficiently. 

“That forces the compressor to work harder, which not only drives up your energy bill but can shorten the life of the appliance.”

Experts say that if the coils are heavily coated in debris, the fridge may use up to 25% more energy than it should.

This also increases the risk of overheating and puts extra strain on the motor, which is one of the most expensive parts to replace.

Cleaning the coils regularly can help avoid these problems. Amy said that most households should do it twice a year, usually in spring and autumn. 

Homes with pets, older models or fridges near carpets may need to do it more often because dust builds up faster.

The cleaning process starts with unplugging the fridge. Then locate the coils and use a coil brush or the vacuum’s brush attachment to remove loose dust. 

Coils are typically located either on the back of the fridge or along the bottom behind a front kick plate.

On many modern models, they are tucked underneath, often requiring removal of a front panel to clean, while older models often have exposed coils on the back. 

A dry cloth or compressed air can help shift any stubborn dirt. Once the coils are clear, plug the fridge back in and check that air can circulate properly.

There are also signs that it may be time for a clean. These include a fridge that struggles to stay cold, a motor that runs louder or more often than normal, higher energy bills, warm exterior panels, or visible dust at the back or base of the unit.