The difference between opening and closing a refrigerator door quickly and holding it open for some amount of time primarily lies in the impact on the internal temperature and energy consumption of the refrigerator.
Opening and Closing Quickly: When you open and close the refrigerator door quickly, the amount of cold air that escapes is relatively minimal. The duration is short, so the warm air from the surrounding environment doesn't have enough time to enter the refrigerator and significantly raise the internal temperature. As a result, the compressor, which is responsible for cooling the refrigerator, does not need to work much to restore the temperature back to the set level.
Holding the Door Open: Keeping the refrigerator door open for an extended period allows more cold air to escape and lets warm air from the room enter the refrigerator. This leads to a more significant increase in the internal temperature, triggering the refrigerator's compressor to work harder to bring the temperature back down. The longer the door is open, the more energy the refrigerator consumes to maintain its internal cooling.
Repeatedly holding the refrigerator door open or leaving it open for extended periods can result in a more significant impact on energy consumption. It not only affects the temperature inside the refrigerator but also causes the compressor to run for longer periods, increasing overall energy usage and potentially reducing the lifespan of the appliance.
To maintain energy efficiency and keep food fresh, it's best to minimize the time the refrigerator door remains open. Make sure to retrieve what you need quickly, organize the items inside the refrigerator for easy access, and close the door properly after each use. Additionally, check the door seals regularly to ensure they are functioning correctly and not allowing excess air leakage, which can also lead to increased energy consumption.