Are Side-By-Side Refrigerators Energy Efficient? What You Need to Know

While side-by-side refrigerators are roomy and chic, their larger size will often use more energy, but there are now energy-efficient side-by-sides and Energy Star-rated side-by-sides from just about every major manufacturer that use inverter technology and smart cooling systems. Find out how much energy side-by-sides use, which efficiency features you may want, and what the best side-by-sides are for households in India. 

Do side-by-side refrigerators use less energy? 

Yes. Good side-by-side refrigerators from top brands such as LG, Samsung, Haier, and Godrej exist alongside energy-saving models that offer the following.

Adjustable power consumption from inverter compressors, based on internal load.

Smart sensors enhance performance.

Auto-defrosting and multi-air flow mechanisms for even cooling

The refrigerator has a 3-star (or higher) energy rating. Ultimately, a side-by-side refrigerator with a larger capacity (500 liters+) is justifiable due to the business nature of the purchase.

Best of all, their energy-efficient make-ups are perfect for cold storage in volume without increasing your energy bill.

Factors Impacting Energy Usage in Large Refrigerators

For anyone searching for the cost of electricity used by side-by-side fridges, take into account some of the major elements below:

Fridge Size—Larger fridges (600–700 L) will naturally consume more than smaller fridges.

Ambient Temperature—Using the fridge in a hot kitchen area will cause the fridge to work harder and use more electricity than if the fridge were in a room-temperature environment.

User Choice—If you are leaving the fridge door open repeatedly or using poor operating settings, this will also increase usage.

Storage Temperature Settings—if you are setting the fridge to extremes (e.g., -23 degrees) during the cooler months, this can lead to unnecessary energy consumption.

Energy Rating—Many fridges will have a 3-star energy rating or higher displayed and will use power efficiently.

Best Energy-Efficient Side-by-Side Refrigerators in India (2025)

1. Haier 602 L, 3-Star Frost-Free Side-by-Side Refrigerator

Best for families looking for performance and simplicity

With a 602L capacity, this refrigerator is rated 3-star for energy and uses 528 kWh of energy per year, which is excellent for a refrigerator this size. Deo Fresh Technology keeps food odour-free, and a jumbo ice maker and external control make for easier access—this generous size and sturdy, toughened glass make it ideal for medium to large Indian households.

Key Features:

602 L total capacity

528 kWh annual energy consumption

Deo Fresh & Magic Convertible Zone

Stainless steel finish

2. Samsung 653 L, 3-Star Refrigerator with Wi-Fi & Inverter Compressor

Best for smart homes and connected kitchens

Samsung's digital inverter compressor enables AI-driven cooling in this refrigerator, automatically adjusting to your food load. With separate airflow for the fridge and freezer, its Twin Cooling Plus system will keep your family's perishable and frozen foods fresher for longer. It includes a door alarm, Wi-Fi-enabled control, and a power freeze mode, making it an undeniably high-tech and efficient option for the modern family.

Key Features:

653 L total capacity

547 kWh annual energy use

Convertible 5-in-1 modes

Smart diagnostics and sensors

3. Godrej 600 L Frost Free Smart Side-by-Side Refrigerator

Ideal for AI-enabled cooling and smart energy management.

This AI-enabled refrigerator can monitor your habits, recognise the food and drink you want to cool, and even adjust settings automatically for you. Throughout the year, you can select from various modes—Eco Mode, Holiday Mode, and Super Freeze Mode—that will allow for fast and easy cooling of your foods. The adjustable shelving, digital control panel and commercial-grade quality make it a smart, flexible fridge.

Key Features:

600 L capacity

Smart inverter with digital controls

Movable ice maker & convertible storage

Energy-efficient AI cooling

4. LG 655 L Frost Free Smart Inverter Side-by-Side Refrigerator

Best for large households with heavy usage

Featuring a smart inverter compressor, multi-airflow cooling, and auto-defrost capability, this 655 L refrigerator has a really great annual energy consumption of 395 kWh for its size. This fridge also has adjustable shelving, multiple digital sensors, and express freeze, and it is ideal for families that are storing a large volume of food each day.

Key Features:

655 L total capacity

395 kWh/year energy use

Multi-digital sensors & Smart Diagnosis

Premium stainless steel design

5. Voltas Beko Side-by-Side Frost-Free Refrigerator

Best for energy savings if you are on a budget

This Beko refrigerator has a total capacity of 472 litres, a powerful inverter compressor, multi-airflow cooling, and a dual-twist ice tray. It uses space well for a side-by-side model, works well and runs quietly. Electronic temperature controls simplify the process of changing the temperature from the digital interface when necessary.

Key Features:

472 L capacity

Only 150 watts of power usage

Anti-bacterial gasket & stabilizer-free operation

8 shelves & 4 drawers

Side-by-Side vs. Double-Door Fridge: Which Is More Energy Efficient?

Feature

Side-by-Side Fridge

Double-Door Fridge

Capacity Range

500–700+ litres

250–400 litres

Energy Consumption

Higher due to size

Lower overall

Smart Features

More advanced (AI, Wi-Fi, etc.)

Basic to moderate

Suitable For

Large families, bulk storage

Small to medium households

Energy Efficiency Rating

3-star models widely available

3- to 5-star options available

In general, side-by-side refrigerators consume more energy than other types because of their size (typically!). However, the latest models with inverter technology (the smart cooling ones) are quite energy efficient—in fact, in many cases they are more energy efficient than older double-door fridges.

The Takeaway:

If you need some space and like things like AI cooling, multi-zone temperature control and auto defrost, then investing in a side-by-side makes sense, especially if you can get a 3-star rated model or have an inverter compressor.

To maximise your energy efficiency:

Ensure you select a model with smart inverter technology

Consider models that have adaptive cooling or twin cooling systems

Check the annual energy use (kW/year)

Do not infest the fridge, and put it in a cool, ventilated environment.

When selecting a model, you can also consider space saving and less electricity cost in the kitchen.