When it comes to managing electricity use at home, small everyday habits can make a difference.
This is especially true for appliances that are used regularly.
Your refrigerator runs 24 hours a day, while your washing machine plays an important role in keeping up with the household laundry.
By using both appliances more thoughtfully, you can support more efficient energy use without making major changes to your routine.
Here are some simple habits you can start practising at home.
1. Stop Putting Your Fridge Near Hot Areas
Where you place your fridge actually matters more than you might think.
If your refrigerator sits next to an oven, gets hit by direct sunlight, or is placed somewhere that gets especially warm, it has to work harder to keep everything inside cool.
The hotter the surrounding temperature gets, the harder the compressor needs to work to maintain the right temperature.
And when your fridge is working harder than necessary, that can mean higher electricity consumption too.
So, if possible, keep it somewhere cool and away from direct heat sources.
Simple move, potentially less unnecessary energy use.
2. Give Your Fridge Some Breathing Room
Pushing your fridge all the way against the wall might make your kitchen look neater, but it could affect how efficiently the appliance operates.
Your refrigerator needs proper ventilation to release heat.
As a general guide, leave more than 50mm of space between the back of the refrigerator and the wall. Having sufficient space around the fridge allows heat to escape more effectively.
When airflow is blocked, cooling performance may drop and the fridge may need to work harder.
So yes, sometimes giving your fridge a little personal space is actually a good thing.
3. Do Not Pack Your Fridge Until There Is Zero Space Left
We know the feeling.
You come home after grocery shopping and suddenly every container, drink and packet needs to somehow fit inside the fridge.
However, stuffing everything too closely together can restrict cold air from circulating properly.
Leaving enough space between stored food allows cool air to move more evenly throughout the fridge, helping it maintain its temperature more efficiently.
Think organised, not overcrowded.
Your fridge will thank you.
4. Your Fridge Choice Matters Too
Good habits help, but the appliance itself also plays an important role in managing energy consumption.
For example, LG refrigerators equipped with a Smart Inverter Compressor are designed to adjust cooling performance according to what is needed instead of constantly operating at full power.
According to LG, its Smart Inverter Compressor can deliver up to 36% energy savings compared with a conventional compressor.*
So if your current fridge has been around for years and your electricity bill keeps making you do a double take, upgrading to a more energy efficient model could be worth considering.
5. Choosing The Wrong Wash Cycle? It Could Be Using More Energy Than Needed
Now, let us move over to the laundry room.
One common habit to reconsider is using the same wash cycle for every load.
Not all clothes need an intensive or lengthy cycle. For lightly worn everyday clothes, a quick or normal cycle may be enough, while heavier fabrics, bedding or heavily soiled items may require a stronger setting.
Choosing the right cycle for each load helps your washer clean efficiently without using unnecessary water, electricity or time.
LG washers with AIDD technology, can detect factors such as load weight, and fabric type to optimise the wash settings automatically.
Your clothes still get the care they need, while your washer works more efficiently.
That sounds like a win.
6. Stop Running Your Washer For Three Shirts
We have all been tempted to do it.
You need one outfit tomorrow, so into the washing machine go three shirts, one pair of pants and maybe a towel just to make the load look less empty.
However, constantly running small loads means using electricity, water and detergent on a washer that is nowhere near full capacity.
Whenever possible, wait until you have a reasonably full load before starting a wash.
Just do not take it too far.
7. But Please Do Not Stuff The Entire Laundry Basket Inside Either
There is a big difference between a full load and an overloaded washer.
Cramming too many clothes into the drum leaves less room for everything to move around properly, which can reduce cleaning performance.
If your clothes come out still dirty or smelling less than fresh, you might end up washing them all over again.
And suddenly, that one overloaded wash has turned into two cycles.
Instead, give your laundry enough space to move while making good use of the washer’s capacity.
The goal is fewer unnecessary cycles, not squeezing in every sock you own.
8. Your Washer’s Motor Technology Matters Too
Good laundry habits help, but the technology inside your washing machine can also affect its energy efficiency.
LG washer equipped with an Inverter Direct Drive motor can adjust its operation based on the washing needs instead of using the same amount of power throughout every cycle.
Choosing a washer with energy efficient motor technology can help reduce unnecessary electricity use while still delivering an effective clean.
Thinking About Upgrading? You Do Not Have To Pay Everything Upfront
If your old fridge or washer is no longer keeping up, replacing both at once can feel costly.
With LG Subscribe’s subscription plan, eligible customers can get selected home appliances with monthly subscription fees as low as RM35, without paying anything upfront when you subscribe.
Subscription plans run from 5 years up to 7 years for all subscription model products, and customers can subscribe to multiple appliances depending on eligibility.
More Than Just Monthly Payments
Depending on the product and plan, LG Subscribe may include regular visits, self service combined maintenance options and 5 or 7 year warranty coverage during the subscription period.
Once the contract ends, ownership of the appliance transfers to the customer, with no further subscription fees.
Small Changes Can Add Up
Saving electricity can start with simple habits, such as keeping your fridge away from heat, allowing enough ventilation and choosing the right wash cycle.
When it is time to upgrade, choosing more energy conscious home appliances and a manageable payment option can make the transition easier.
After all, if your fridge and washer work for you every day, they should work smarter too.
*Energy saving performance may vary depending on the model, usage conditions and testing methodology. Refer to LG’s official product specifications for applicable models and details.
For more information, visit LG’s official website or follow LG Malaysia on Facebook and Instagram.
