Why is the freezer compartment at the top of the fridge?

Freezers located at the top of a refrigerator consume less energy than freezers located in other positions. The compressor that keeps the freezer cold is located at the bottom of modern refrigerators. Positioning the freezer away from the compressor, which generates heat, keeps the entire unit from working too hard.

On some refrigerators, the freezer is located at the bottom behind two exterior doors, which are known as French doors. On other models, the freezer is located to the side of the refrigerator compartment. A consumer typically considers the amount of space needed and ease of access in the layout when purchasing a new refrigerator.