Modern household appliances, such as appliances from the brand Bekoare equipped with many functions designed to make life easier owner and reduce resource consumption. One of the most useful options is the so-called economy mode, which is often indicated on the control panel with an “Eco” or “E” icon. Many users purchase equipment without even knowing the potential of this setting, and miss the opportunity to significantly reduce electricity bills without losing the quality of food storage.
The essence of this function is to optimize the compressor operating cycles and defrosting algorithms. Economic mode it doesn’t just make the temperature a little higher - it rebuilds the entire logic of the unit’s operation, forcing it to work longer, but less energy-intensive cycles. This is especially true in the context of constantly rising electricity tariffs, when every kilowatt counts.
In this article we will analyze in detail how exactly this technology works in refrigerators Beko, in which cases its use is really justified, and when it is better to switch to standard settings. You will learn how to activate the function on different models and what parameters change inside the camera after turning it on.
The principle of operation of the energy saving function
The main task of the economy mode is to reduce energy consumption by changing the temperature profile. When you activate this function temperature the refrigerator compartment rises to +7°C instead of the standard +4°C or +5°C. It would seem that the difference of three degrees is insignificant, but for the compressor this means the ability to start working less often.
In addition, in this mode the system operation algorithm often changes. No Frost. The evaporator can defrost less frequently or using less heat from the heating element, which also contributes to overall savings. However, it is worth understanding that efficiency this approach directly depends on how tightly the refrigerator is loaded and how often you open the door.
⚠️ Attention: When activating the Eco mode, the temperature in the main chamber may briefly rise above normal values. It is not recommended to load a large amount of warm food at the same time when this function is turned on.
It is important to note that in the freezer the temperature can also be adjusted, usually it is kept at -18°C, but the process of maintaining cold becomes smoother. Compressor works with lower peak loads, which theoretically can extend its service life, although modern inverter motors already have high resource.
How to activate the economy mode on different models
Refrigerator control interfaces Beko may vary depending on the series and year of manufacture of the model. In most modern electronically controlled devices, the switching process takes a few seconds. You will need to find a button on the display labeled "Eco", "E" or "Eco Mode".
On touchpad models, you will need to touch the appropriate icon. If you have a model with mechanical buttons or a hidden display, the algorithm may be more complicated. It is often necessary to press and hold the refrigerator compartment temperature setting button for 3-5 seconds until the “E” indicator lights up on the screen.
☑️ Check before turning on Eco mode
In some advanced models that support control via Wi-Fi and application HomeWhiz, activation can be done remotely from a smartphone. This is convenient if you are going on vacation and want to put your equipment into a gentle mode without physically approaching it. In the application, the function may be called “Energy Saving” or “Vacation Mode”, which is essentially a variation of the economy mode.
| Beko refrigerator series | Control type | Designation on the display | Activation method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beko CN | Electronic | Icon "E" | Single press |
| Beko RCS | Touch | Text "Eco" | Touching the screen |
| Beko RCNE | Hidden display | Indicator “E” | Hold button for 3 seconds |
| Beko GN | Mechanical + Display | Light "Eco" | Combination buttons |
Impact on the temperature and safety of products
The main question that worries users: will the products spoil at elevated temperatures? The answer lies in the types of food you store. Temperature conditions +7°C is safe for most vegetables, fruits, drinks, sauces and canned foods. For them, even the standard +4°C is often excessive.
However, there are categories of products that require strict adherence to cold. Dairy products, meat, fish and ready meals feel better at +2...+4°C. If your refrigerator is full of just such products, turning on the economy mode can reduce their shelf life by 1-2 days. In the summer heat, a difference of 3 degrees can be critical for perishable goods.
⚠️ Attention: Do not store raw meat and fish in economy mode for more than 24 hours unless you plan to cook or freeze them in the near future.
On the other hand, for some fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, tomatoes or citrus fruits, the temperature of +7°C is even more favorable than standard refrigeration. They lose moisture more slowly and are not subject to “cold burn.” Therefore, if you use the refrigerator mainly for storing drinks and plant foods energy savings in Eco mode can reach 15-20% without any damage to the quality of the products.
Comparison of energy consumption: Eco vs Standard
To understand the real benefits, let's look at the numbers. The energy consumption of a refrigerator depends on many factors: volume, energy efficiency class, room temperature. However, on average, switching to economy mode allows you to reduce energy consumption by 10-15% of the annual figure.
If your refrigerator consumes about 300 kWh per year, then the savings will be approximately 30-45 kWh. In monetary terms, this may seem like a small amount, but if you multiply it by the service life of the device (10 years), the benefits become tangible. In addition, this reduces the load on the electrical network at home.
It is also worth mentioning that in Standby (if the refrigerator is empty) or in vacation mode, which is often equated to economical, consumption can be even lower. But it is important not to confuse these modes: in vacation mode, the freezer may turn off, which is unacceptable if there are frozen foods there.
Why does the counter spin even when the refrigerator is not making noise?
Even when the compressor is silent, the refrigerator consumes energy to operate the electronics, the backlight (if it does not go out completely) and anti-condensation heaters in the door openings. In economy mode, these auxiliary systems can also operate in an optimized cycle.
When you should not use economy mode
Despite the obvious advantages, there are situations when using the “Eco” function is inappropriate or even harmful. First of all, this applies to periods of extreme heat, when the temperature in the kitchen exceeds +30°C. In such conditions, it is already difficult for the refrigerator to maintain standard cold, and raising the target temperature to +7°C can lead to defrosting of food in the door shelves.
It is also not recommended to use this mode if you have just returned from the store with a full bag of groceries. The thermal load on the chamber is high at this point, and the compressor will need to work hard to cool the contents. An economical algorithm may not be able to cope with rapid cooling, which will lead to a violation of the temperature regime.
Another important aspect is the presence in the refrigerator of a large amount of perishable foods (meat, fish, open dairy products). If you plan to store such products for more than two days, it is better to leave the standard settings. Safety Food products should always be a priority over saving a few rubles.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to leave the economy mode on all the time?
Yes, you can. Modern refrigerators Beko are designed to operate in this mode for a long time without damaging the compressor. The main thing is to monitor the condition of the products.
Does the economy mode affect the formation of ice in the freezer?
In Eco mode, the system No Frost can work according to a modified algorithm, which theoretically can slightly change the rate of ice growth when the door is opened frequently, but in normal mode you will not notice the difference.
Why is the Eco indicator blinking?
Blinking usually means that the temperature is stabilizing. After turning on the mode, the refrigerator takes several hours to reach the new temperature schedule. If the flashing does not stop for more than 24 hours, check that the doors are closed tightly.
How much energy does one Eco cycle actually save?
The exact figure depends on the model, but on average, one cooling cycle in Eco mode consumes 10-15% less energy than a standard full power cycle.
Is it necessary defrost the refrigerator before turning on the economy mode?
No, preliminary defrosting is not required. You can switch to this mode at any time, but it is better to do this when the refrigerator is at least half full for better heat capacity.