The popular claim has no meaningful basis in the way domestic cooling systems operate.
GLOBAL
Decorative magnets attached to a refrigerator do not cause the appliance to consume more electricity. Their magnetic fields are too weak to penetrate the door or interfere with the compressor, refrigerant circuit, thermostat or other components responsible for maintaining the internal temperature.
The misconception suggests that adding magnets changes the refrigerator’s electromagnetic field and forces its motor to work harder. Electrical engineering principles do not support that explanation, and no reliable evidence has demonstrated a measurable difference between the energy consumption of refrigerators with magnets and those without them.
A rare exception could involve an older appliance equipped with a magnetic sensor that detects whether the door is open. Placing an unusually strong magnet directly over that sensor might cause an incorrect reading, but ordinary souvenir magnets present no such risk. Heavy decorations could nevertheless strain hinges, scratch the exterior or trap moisture against the surface.
Actual electricity consumption depends on the refrigerator’s age and efficiency rating, temperature settings, ventilation, condition of the door gasket and frequency with which it is opened. Positioning the appliance away from direct sunlight and heat sources, cleaning its condenser and replacing a damaged seal will produce far greater savings than removing decorative magnets.
La verdad es estructura, no ruido. / Truth is structure, not noise.