Thermal and Energy Evaluation of a Domestic Refrigerator under the Influence of the Thermal Load

This study seeks to understand the thermal and energetic behavior of a domestic refrigerator more widely by experimentally evaluating the main effects of the thermal load (food) and the variation of the ambient temperature. To carry out the experiments, the thermal load was classified based on the results of a survey conducted on different consumers in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. The thermal behavior of both compartments of the refrigerator, the total energy consumption, the power of the compressor in its first on-state, and the coefficient of performance, according to the classification of the thermal loads and the room temperature, were evaluated. Finally, it is verified that the thermal load and the room temperature have a significant influence on the energy performance of the refrigerator.