Whirlpool issues statement on fridge magnets' impact on electricity bills

There are many urban myths perpetrated in society, but it turns out there could be truth to one popular example - and it is probably not for the reasons you think. Putting a large number of fridge magnets on your refrigerator could have a detrimental impact on your bills, according to appliance manufacturer Whirlpool.

The company explained that the real concern isn't the magnets' effect on power usage, but rather the potential wear and tear on your fridge's door. According to the site CMU, a spokesman from Whirpool said too many magnets are packed on, could see the added weight strain the door hinges, potentially shortening the appliance's lifespan.

It is similar to the problem of people clipping padlocks on bridges. One "lovelock" is not an issue, but several thousand can add tons of weight to the structure and potentially cause problems.

A spokesman from Whirlpool said, "If you only use a few magnets, you shouldn't expect the refrigerator to operate poorly. The only downside might be some scratches on the surface."

But, it was added, if the magnets pile up, the risks of mechanical damage increase due to the excess weight putting pressure on the structure of the fridge.

However, not all companies agree with Whirlpool's assessment and approached the problem from other angles.

Several other organisations did not see an issue with fridge magnets affecting a refrigerator's surface or costs.

Energy company Endesa called this whole idea "completely false". They further elaborated by saying magnets are "so insignificant to the refrigerator's operation that their magnetic fields don't even penetrate the fridge doors."

The Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) also backed up this stance, stating that although magnetic fields can interact with electrical currents, the magnets on refrigerators are too weak to affect energy consumption, no matter how many you have.

Tech giant LG said: "Magnets on the outside of a refrigerator have no impact on energy use, lifespan, or food preservation. This is simply a myth."

While fridge magnets don't sneakily spike your utility bills, it is still a good idea to check to see how many you have on yours and whether the added weight is putting pressure on your hinges.