The 5 worst things you can do to your fridge – these will drive up energy costs and result in pricey and regrettable repairs
It's crucial to swerve these blunders, appliance experts warn


Your fridge is an essential part of your kitchen, but did you know doing certain things to it can supercharge the need for costly repairs, replacements and shorten its lifespan?
From over-filling to ignoring your condenser coils, here electricians and appliance experts share the five worst things you can do to your fridge, what to avoid, and how to swerve damaging your expensive, best refrigerator.
The 5 worst things you can do to your fridge
1. Overfill it
Overfilling your fridge makes it work harder, driving up energy costs.
According to Adam Bushell, director of AB Electrical & Communications, one of the worst refrigerator organizing mistakes to avoid can compromise its function.
He explains, 'When you jam your fridge full, the airflow inside becomes restricted which prevents it from cooling evenly.' This overfilling may also be thwarting any attempts to maintain how cold a refrigerator should be.
'This can cause your fridge to work harder, leading to higher energy consumption,' ultimately resulting in a costly mistake and reducing the lifespan of your appliance.
'To avoid this, make sure there is enough space for air to circulate around the items inside. If you fill your fridge excessively, it’s going to have to work harder than it should.'
Using storage bins, such as the Vtopmart Set of 8 Refrigerator Organizer Bins available at Walmart, will make organizing a refrigerator far easier, while avoiding any overfilling or over-stuffing.
2. Putting hot items in right away
Allow food to cool down completely before popping it in the fridge.
We're all guilty of impatiently ignoring advice to let food cool down before putting it in the fridge, but David Miloshev, electrician and home improvement specialist at Fantastic Services, warns that this is something best avoided.
'If you put food on the glass shelves of the fridge when it's still hot, the shelves can break,' he says. 'The hot items can also raise the temperature inside the appliance, which can put additional strain on the compressor, and it'll have to run longer to bring the temperatures low,' which certainly won't help to cut energy bills.
'On the other hand, if you leave food out at room temperature for too long, there’s the risk of bacteria growing on it. You’ll need to make sure you don’t leave it out of the fridge for over two hours before it cools off, and, if the room temperature is above 32°C, don’t leave it outside for more than one hour.'
David advises that you can help the food cool down quicker by dividing it into smaller portions, using food containers such as the Anchor Hocking Glass Food Storage Containers with Lids available at Walmart, or putting it in shallower containers before you put it into the fridge.
3. Leave the door open
Leaving your fridge door open wastes energy and risks food spoilage.
Glenn Lewis, president of Mr. Appliance, a Neighborly company, explains, 'When the door is open, the refrigerator will start to run, and then it will have to run longer to get the refrigerator back down to temperature once you close the door.
'This not only wastes energy, but depending on how long the door is open, you could lose food to spoilage.'
If you do need to leave the door open, say to defrost a fridge, pop any food items in a cool box, such as the Coleman 316 Series 120QT Hard Chest Cooler available at Walmart, which features a fully insulated lid and body, and chamfered corners for optimal insulation, to keep food and drinks colder for longer.
4. Not leaving a suitable gap between the fridge and its surroundings
Your refrigerator needs enough space to prevent overheating
Do you know where a refrigerator should be placed? Whether you choose to hide your kitchen fridge or where you put it matters, says appliance expert David.
'If you don't leave space between the fridge and the walls and objects that surround it, the hot air coming out of it won't have room to circulate and the appliance will overheat,' he warns.
5. Ignoring the condenser coils
Neglecting to clean the condenser coils makes it harder for the fridge to cool properly.
Finally, neglecting to clean the condenser coils is a fridge cleaning mistake to avoid.
'People often forget to clean them,' says electrician Adam. 'Over time, dust and debris build up, which makes it harder for the fridge to cool properly. This is something I have seen in both residential and commercial settings. It's an easy fix, though.
'Just pull out the vacuum once every six months, and gently clean the coils at the back or underneath the fridge. Keeping these clean can improve efficiency and help to save money at home on energy bills.'
Our expert-approved guide on how to clean a refrigerator details everything you need to know about getting the job done properly, and, if you're wondering how often you should clean a fridge, aim for a quick clean once a week, and a deeper clean every two to four months.
What to shop
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
These stackable bins allow you see what you have at a glance, with integrated handles to easily access all items. They can be used in both your fridge and freezer.
This bestselling cleaning spray is ideal for cleaning your fridge, using plant-based cleaning power to cut through grease and grime without introducing harsh chemicals around your food.
This pack of eight fridge bins has everything you need to overhaul your organization, with great storage capacity and a durable, transparent design.
Meet our experts

Mr. Appliance is North America's leading appliance repair franchise. Glenn became president in 2024, after joining Neighborly in 2013 and holding various positions across the company. Before Neighborly, Glenn served as executive vice president at The Décor Group in Lubbock, Texas

David is a licensed electrician, with expert knowledge on the worst things you can do to your fridge, and the costly consequences of doing them.

Adam has worked in the energy sector for over a decade, with a background in electrical work and renewable energy.
'Keep the fridge organized without overpacking,' recommends Glenn. 'Think about what you want out of the refrigerator before you open it and close the door quickly. Also, clean the coils in your refrigerator at least annually.'
It's not just your fridge you need to worry about – do you know the worst things you can do to your freezer?
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.

Ottilie joined Homes & Gardens last year, after finishing a Master's in Magazine Journalism at City, University of London. With previous contributions in Livingetc and Motorsport Magazine, she produces content for the Solved section on the website, focusing on clever tips and tricks to keep your home beautiful, organized and clean. She also has a Master's degree in English Literature and History of Art from the University of Edinburgh, where she developed a love for inspiring interiors and architecture.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
-
Every chic person I know has vintage lace curtains in their kitchen – I found the ones I want in Kelly Clarkson's Wayfair collection (for under $11)
Kelly Clarkson's sheer, white lace curtains provide an on-trend Victorian look at a fraction of the cost – I can't believe I just found them on Wayfair
By Hannah Ziegler
-
This new living room style is perfect if you have design decision fatigue like me – here's why I am embracing midimalism in my living room
Between minimalism and maximalism, you'll find midimalism. It's the perfect style for a living room, proven by these five elegant spaces
By Eleanor Richardson
-
What are gutter guards, and do they really work? Roofing experts reveal these mean 'less to worry about', including mold and pests
They also help prevent water-related damage
By Ottilie Blackhall
-
5 surprisingly practical ways to re-purpose old bed sheets for cleaning, decluttering and storage at home
Don't ditch worn-out bedding – there's life in them yet
By Natasha Brinsmead
-
Do you need to turn the lights off when you leave a room? Experts have ended this time-honored debate once and for all
On or off? We delve into the details of this age-old dispute
By Chiana Dickson
-
I tried the baking soda trick to quickly and naturally clean my outdoor rug – it’s now set for Easter outdoor hosting
Baking soda is perfect for lifting dirt and debris
By Eve Smallman
-
Extend the lifespan of your appliance with 5 simple but crucial washing machine maintenance tips
From cleaning the filters to keeping the door open, experts reveal the washer tips they swear by
By Andy van Terheyden
-
5 vital ways a home battery backup can help with your most urgent needs in a power outage – from heating to flood prevention and calls
Experts say they're a worthy investment
By Clement Feng
-
I’m an HVAC technician, and this is when I turn on my AC each year – plus 5 checks I always do beforehand
Save yourself an AC hassle by running my checks and turning it on before big heat hits
By Josh Mitchell
-
6 things you should never throw in the trash – and what to do for safe disposal instead
From batteries to space heaters, experts reveal what not to throw
By Andy van Terheyden