Understanding the Energy Consumption of Portable Fridge Freezers

Do Portable Fridge Freezers Use a Lot of Electricity?

Understanding the power consumption of portable fridge freezers.

Introduction

We all know the feeling... It's a summer evening, after hours of travelling you've finally found the perfect spot, and you're ready to relax and enjoy a cold beverage. The question is how long can you continue to enjoy your peaceful seclusion before having to re-join society?

In this blog post, we discuss the power consumption of portable fridge freezers and how they work including sharing tips on making yours as energy-efficient as possible.

Understanding Energy Consumption

Energy consumption refers to the amount of electricity an appliance uses this is typically measured in watts (W). For instance, if a fridge operates at 50 watts for 10 hours, it consumes 500 watt-hours (Wh).

Energy (Wh) = Power (W) x Time (h)

Example: The TF-Xtreme 50 operates at an average of only 35 watts, making it suitable for extended off-grid use.

How Much Electricity Do Portable Fridge Freezers Use?

Portable fridge freezers are designed with energy efficiency in mind to help preserve your batteries and be as cost-effective to run as possible. Several design features contribute to the energy efficiency of portable fridge freezers:

Intermittent Compressor Operation: Portable fridge freezers have compressors that cycle on and off, the compressor only switches on to maintain the desired temperature without constant operation.
High-Quality Insulation: Thick insulation reduces temperature loss, reducing the frequency and duration of compressor cycles.
Efficient Compressor Technology: Modern compressors are designed to consume minimal power while providing effective cooling.

How long will my leisure battery last?

To understand how long your fridge freezer will run before your batteries require a recharge we must understand the energy consumption of your fridge freezer.

Identify Power Consumption: Check the manufacturer's specifications for the wattage (W) or current draw in amps of the fridge freezer.
Estimate Daily Usage: Determine how many hours per day the fridge operates. Keep in mind that compressors cycle on and off, so the fridge won't be running continuously.
Calculate Daily Energy Consumption: Divide the wattage by the voltage (12V) to get the current in amps, then multiply by operational hours.
Assess Battery Requirements: Check the amp-hours (Ah) of your battery to ensure it has sufficient capacity to support the fridge's daily consumption without excessive discharge.

Example:

On average, the Totalfreeze 45 uses 35 watts, if the fridge runs for 8 hours a day (only consuming power when the compressor is operating)

(35W ÷ 12V) × 8h ≈ 23.3 Ah

The Totalpower 600 Portable Power Station has a Wh rating of 499Wh which can be converted to amp-hours using the following formula (watt-hours (Wh) ÷ voltage (V) = amp-hours (Ah))

(499Wh ÷ 12V) ≈ 41.58 Ah

So the Totalpower 600 will run our Totalfreeze 45 for 1.78 days (Battery Capacity (Ah) ÷ Fridge Power Draw (Ah)) before requiring a recharge.

Energy Efficiency Tips for Portable Fridge Freezers

Optimizing the energy efficiency of your portable fridge freezer is crucial, especially when you're off-grid and relying on limited power sources. Here are some practical tips to enhance efficiency:

Keep your fridge in the shade: Direct sunlight and the ambient temperature make the compressor operate more frequently. Always try to place your fridge freezer in a cool shaded location.
Limit opening the door: Frequently opening the lid increases the internal temperature of the fridge freezer.
Keep your fridge freezer full: The thermal mass of the chilled contents of the fridge freezer helps maintain the temperature and reduces the time the compressor operates.

Conclusion

Portable fridge freezers are designed to be energy-efficient, often consuming such a low amount of power that they can run for days on leisure or backup batteries.

By understanding their energy consumption and implementing simple efficiency practices, you can enjoy fresh food during your remote camping or caravanning trips without worrying about excessive power usage.

Browse our range of portable fridge freezers at Totalcool