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No—ordinary decorative magnets on a refrigerator door are not a supported cause of higher electricity use or a larger household bill. The evidence does not include a controlled test comparing the same refrigerator with and without magnets, so it is more accurate to call the alleged effect unsupported than to claim a test proved an exact zero change. If your refrigerator seems costly to run, check its temperature, airflow and door seal before blaming the magnets.

Why a stationary fridge magnet is different from a generator

Magnetic fields can help generate electricity, but the setup matters. The U.S. Energy Information Administration explains that moving a magnet relative to a wire coil pushes electrons through the wire and creates current. That principle does not mean a decorative magnet sitting still on a refrigerator door meaningfully affects the appliance’s electrical system.

Endesa’s 2019 explanation of the myth says decorative magnets do not increase refrigerator power consumption and describes their fields as too insignificant to cross the door. That is an explanatory article, not a controlled measurement of a refrigerator’s electricity use.

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Two expert assessments reported by news outlets point in the same direction, but neither should be mistaken for a laboratory result. Tom’s Guide quoted Matthew Glynn, senior product marketing manager at Hisense U.K., saying magnets do not affect refrigerator performance or energy efficiency. Üsküdar News Agency reported Prof. Dr. Selim Şeker’s assessment that magnets do not affect the appliance’s operating principle; the same report says no scientific research or test had been conducted on the specific question.

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What is—and is not—known about the effect

The sources consulted do not establish a measured wattage, percentage, or dollar amount for any change caused by decorative magnets. The practical conclusion is that ordinary magnets are not a credible explanation for a higher bill, not that a published experiment has demonstrated a mathematically exact zero effect.

There is also no reason in this evidence to remove magnets as an energy-saving measure. If the refrigerator is using more electricity than expected, investigate its condition and surroundings instead.

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What to check if your refrigerator seems expensive to run

ENERGY STAR recommends several practical checks. Use the guidance that fits your model and installation, and follow the refrigerator manual where it gives model-specific instructions.

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  • Temperature: ENERGY STAR recommends keeping the refrigerator at 35–38°F.
  • Location and airflow: Keep the appliance away from heat sources and leave a few inches of space behind it so air can circulate.
  • Door seal: Check that the gasket seals airtight; replace it if it does not. Confirm that any replacement is compatible with the exact refrigerator model.
  • Door-open time: Minimize how long the door stays open.
  • Condenser coils: For older models, clean them only as directed by the manual.

ENERGY STAR says refrigerators over 15 years old could be costing more than $95 per year to run. That is a general estimate from ENERGY STAR, not a cost that applies to every household and not a projected saving from removing magnets.

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When replacing an old refrigerator, compare the right things

If the appliance is old or inefficient, a replacement decision is more relevant to energy use than removing decorative magnets. Compare certified energy efficiency, annual energy use, capacity, features and expected operating cost. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program also provides guidance on energy-efficient residential refrigerator purchasing.

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Sources

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