Vacation Refrigerator Settings: Energy Saving While Away

Vacation refrigerator settings are often overlooked when planning a trip, but they can make a big difference in energy use and appliance efficiency. Whether you’re heading out of Athens for a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, adjusting your refrigerator before you leave can help you save money and prevent food spoilage.

At Appliances 4 Less Athens, we love helping local families and homeowners get the most out of their appliances. From refrigerators and microwaves to washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves (gas and induction), we carry high-quality appliances that are designed to be efficient, reliable, and easy to maintain.

Why Adjust Your Refrigerator Before a Trip?

Your refrigerator is one of the few appliances that runs 24/7, using energy even when you’re not home. During vacations, most households aren’t opening the fridge as frequently, so there’s less need for it to work at full capacity. By changing your vacation refrigerator settings, you can reduce energy consumption without risking spoiled food.

If your fridge has a built-in vacation mode, now’s the time to use it. This setting maintains a slightly higher internal temperature while keeping the freezer cold enough to preserve frozen goods. For models without a vacation mode, a manual adjustment works just as well.

How to Set Your Refrigerator for Energy Savings

Before leaving, check the temperature inside your refrigerator. The ideal temperature for normal use is around 37°F, but for energy saving while away, you can safely increase it to about 42°F. The freezer should stay around 0°F to ensure food remains frozen.

Remove any perishable items like milk, fresh produce, or leftovers. If you’re leaving for more than a couple of weeks, it’s best to clean out the fridge entirely. Wipe down shelves, place an open box of baking soda inside to absorb odors, and make sure the doors are closed tightly before you go.

If you’ll be gone for an extended period, like a month or longer, you may even consider unplugging the refrigerator. However, only do this if it’s empty and cleaned. Leave the doors propped open slightly to prevent mold and mildew from forming.

Additional Energy-Saving Tips

Even beyond vacation refrigerator settings, there are other simple ways to save energy while you’re away. Turn off or unplug small kitchen appliances like microwaves, ovens, and coffee makers. If your home has a washer and dryer, unplug them or switch off the power strip to prevent standby energy loss. These steps not only reduce your utility bill but also protect your appliances from potential power surges while you’re gone.

Shop Energy-Efficient Appliances in Athens

If your refrigerator or other appliances are outdated, upgrading to energy-efficient models can make a huge difference year-round—not just during vacations. At Appliances 4 Less Athens, we offer a wide selection of ENERGY STAR®️-rated refrigerators, washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves to help you save on both electricity and water.

Our local team proudly serves Athens and the surrounding Georgia communities, helping homeowners find affordable, high-performance appliances for every room in the house.

Vacation refrigerator settings may seem like a small detail, but they can lead to significant energy savings and help your appliances last longer. Before your next trip, take a few minutes to adjust your fridge, clean out perishables, and unplug unnecessary devices. And if you’re ready to upgrade to more energy-efficient models, visit Appliances 4 Less Athens your trusted local appliance store for smart, affordable solutions.