When the time comes for a long-awaited vacation, every owner of modern household appliances is faced with the question of what to do with the refrigerator. Leaving it on seems wasteful, because there is no point in wasting electricity on cooling empty shelves, especially if you are leaving for two weeks or more.
On the other hand, completely turning off the device is fraught with the appearance of an unpleasant odor, mold and the growth of bacteria, which will then have to be removed for a long time and painfully. It is to solve this dilemma that LG engineers have developed a special operating mode, called Vacation.
In this article we will look in detail at what this function is, why it is necessary to maintain the hygienic condition of equipment and how to correctly activate it on various models of smart refrigerators.
The principle of operation of the vacation mode
Function Vacation (or "Vacation") is a special algorithm for the operation of the compressor and temperature control system, which switches the refrigerator to an economical mode.
Unlike regular shutdown, when the temperature inside the chambers is gradually compared to room temperature, in vacation mode a certain temperature background is maintained.
The main purpose of this mode - to prevent damage to the appliance itself from the inside and prevent the appearance of a musty smell.
The temperature in the main compartment usually rises to +15°C, which is higher than the growth threshold of most bacteria, but low enough so that the plastic and seals do not “bloom.”
The freezer continues to operate as normal, keeping food frozen if you left stock there.
⚠️ Attention: On some older or budget LG models, the Vacation feature may turn off cooling only in the refrigerator compartment, but leave the display and control system on. Check the features of your model in the official user manual, as interfaces may differ.
Saving energy and equipment resource
Using the mode Vacation allows you to significantly reduce energy consumption.
The compressor turns on much less frequently, since it does not need to maintain a low temperature in the empty volume of the refrigerator.
This not only saves your budget, but also extends the service life of the motor, reducing the total thermal load on the system.
However, it is worth understanding that savings will be noticeable only during a long absence, for example, 7 days or more.
How much can you save?
According to LG laboratory tests, energy consumption in Vacation mode is reduced by about 20-30% compared to normal operation of an empty refrigerator. For two weeks of vacation, savings can amount to several kilowatt-hours, which is equivalent to operating several incandescent light bulbs during the day.
Instructions: how to enable the function on different models
The process of activating the mode depends on the type of control of your LG refrigerator: touch panel, mechanical buttons or Smart ThinQ system.
For models with touch display, you need to press the button Vacation or Mode several times until the corresponding indicator lights up on the screen.
In some interfaces you need to press and hold the button for 3 seconds.
If you have a model with a mechanical control, look for a button with a picture of a suitcase or an inscription Vacation.
☑️ Check before turning on the mode
Table of temperature modes
Understanding what temperatures are set in different modes helps to properly prepare equipment for the absence of owners.
Below are the average values for most modern LG models.
| Mode operation | Refrigerator compartment | Freezer compartment | Energy consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | +3...+5°C | -18...-20°C | 100% |
| Vacation | +12...+15°C | -18...-20°C | ~70% |
| Off | +20...+25°C | +20...+25°C | 0% |
| Eco | +5...+7°C | -15...-18°C | ~85% |
Preparation of products and chambers before departure
Before activating the function Vacation it is critically important to inspect the contents of the refrigerator.
All perishable products, such as dairy products, meat, ready meals and open sauces, must be disposed of or eaten.
They cannot be left, since at +15°C they will spoil in 2-3 days, emitting a terrible smell.
Canned food, unopened bottles of drinks and some vegetables (potatoes, carrots) can be left if they are sealed.
Be sure to wet clean all shelves and drawers.
Use a weak soda solution or a special product for caring for refrigerators.
After washing, thoroughly wipe the surfaces with a dry cloth.
Moisture is the main enemy during prolonged inactivity; it contributes to the development of mold.
What cannot be done in the Vacation mode
There is a common misconception that the vacation mode allows you to store food, but in a “gentle” mode.
This is categorically false: a temperature of +15°C is a dangerous zone for the proliferation of pathogenic microflora.
Under no circumstances leave meat, fish, sausages, cheeses, milk, eggs and salads in the chamber.
Even if you are leaving for only 3-4 days, the risk of poisoning upon return is too great.
⚠️ Attention: Vacation mode is not intended for storing food! It is created solely for the preservation of the device itself. If you return and find food inside, you must mercilessly throw it away without trying.
Returning from vacation: the correct sequence of actions
When you return home, do not rush to immediately load the refrigerator with food.
First you need to turn off the mode Vacationby pressing the corresponding button on the panel controls.
Allow the device to idle in normal mode for 2-3 hours.
During this time, the temperature will drop to safe values, and the compressor will enter the operating cycle.
If you immediately fill the warm volume with products, the load on the motor will be excessive, which can lead to breakdown.
What to do if a smell appears?
If after returning you notice an unpleasant odor, do not panic. Rinse the chambers with a solution of citric acid or vinegar (1 tablespoon per liter of water). Leave the doors open for a day. If the smell remains, replace the carbon filter, if provided by the design.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to completely turn off the refrigerator from the outlet instead of using the Vacation mode?
Technically it is possible, but it is not recommended to do this for more than 2-3 days. When completely shut down, bacteria and mold begin to actively multiply inside, penetrating into the micropores of the plastic. It is very difficult to remove this smell later. Vacation mode prevents this problem.
Will the freezer work in Vacation mode?
Yes, in the vast majority of LG models, the freezer continues to operate as normal, maintaining a temperature of about -18°C. This allows you to keep frozen food while you are away from home.
How much energy does an LG refrigerator consume in Vacation mode?
Consumption is reduced by about 20-30% compared to normal operation of an empty refrigerator. The exact numbers depend on the volume of the chamber, the ambient temperature in the room and the year of manufacture of the model.
Do I need to defrost the refrigerator before turning on the Vacation mode?
Yes, if there is an ice crust (“fur coat”) in the freezer, it must be removed. In Vacation mode, the defrost system may work differently, and the ice may begin to melt and drain, creating puddles inside or under the appliance.
Does the Vacation function work on two-compressor refrigerators?
Yes, the principle of operation is the same. On dual-compressor models, the refrigerator compartment compressor will turn off or run at minimum, while the freezer compartment compressor will continue to cool. This gives even greater energy savings.