Technology
How does a refrigerator work?
A refrigerator works by moving heat from inside to outside using a circulating refrigerant. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the food compartment, then releases it at the back of the fridge — leaving the inside cold.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how a refrigerator works.
Step by step
- 1A refrigerant fluid cycles through coils, changing between liquid and gas.
- 2Inside, it evaporates and absorbs heat, cooling the compartment.
- 3A compressor pumps it; outside coils release the absorbed heat.
- 4It doesn't 'make cold' — it moves heat out.
Frequently asked questions
- How does a fridge stay cold?
- A refrigerant absorbs heat from inside and dumps it outside, continuously moving heat out of the compartment.
- What does the compressor do?
- It pressurizes and circulates the refrigerant so it can release the heat it absorbed.
- Why is the back of a fridge warm?
- That's where the absorbed heat is released to the room via the condenser coils.