Innovation may cut energy use of fridges which consume 4% of the world's electricity

Electricity used to power refrigerators combined with gas leakages from fridges and freezers into the atmosphere make them a significant source of greenhouse emissions. File photo

A novel use of technology could make refrigerators cheaper and more environmentally friendly, according to a report.

Domestic refrigerators and freezers consumed close to 4% of global electricity in 2019, according to one estimate, so an innovation that significantly reduces their power usage would not be insignificant.