Technology
How does a refrigerator work?
A refrigerator works by moving heat from inside to outside, using a fluid (refrigerant) that absorbs heat as it evaporates and releases it as it condenses. It doesn't make cold — it pumps heat away, leaving the inside cooler.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how a refrigerator works.
Step by step
- 1A refrigerant cycles between liquid and gas around the fridge.
- 2Inside, it evaporates and absorbs heat, cooling the compartment.
- 3A compressor pumps the warmed gas to the coils on the back.
- 4There it condenses, releasing the collected heat into the room.
- 5Cooling is really heat-moving, which is why the back of a fridge feels warm.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a refrigerator create cold?
- No — it removes heat. It pumps heat from inside out to the coils, so the interior cools while the back gives off warmth.
- Why is the back of a fridge warm?
- That's where the refrigerant releases the heat it absorbed from inside, dumping it into the room.
- What does the refrigerant do?
- It carries heat: evaporating to soak up heat inside, then condensing to release it outside, cycling continuously.