Whirlpool has warned that an excessive number of fridge magnets could increase your electricity bill by up to £120. The appliance manufacturer says the issue is not the magnets' effect on power usage, but the extra weight straining the door hinges, potentially reducing the fridge's lifespan.
A Whirlpool spokesman told the Express: "If you only use a few magnets, you shouldn't expect the refrigerator to operate poorly. The only downside might be some scratches on the surface." However, he added that if magnets accumulate, the risks of mechanical damage increase due to excess weight exerting pressure on the fridge's structure.
Other companies disagree. Energy firm Endesa dismissed the claim as "completely false," explaining that magnets are "so insignificant to the refrigerator's operation that their magnetic fields don't even penetrate the fridge doors." The Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) also stated that fridge magnets are too weak to influence energy consumption, regardless of quantity.
Tech giant LG echoed this, saying: "Magnets on the outside of a refrigerator have no impact on energy use, lifespan, or food preservation." While fridge magnets may not secretly increase utility bills, it's still wise to check how many you have and whether the additional weight is exerting pressure on your hinges.
