A refrigeration apparatus includes a self-contained refrigeration module having an at least largely complete refrigeration circuit for cooling a refrigeration chamber of a household refrigerator and having a separate housing. At least one evaporator is arranged in the refrigeration circuit, wherein the housing is provided with apertures for passage of air cooled by the evaporator and air to be cooled by the evaporator. The refrigeration apparatus can be used for a household refrigerator which includes a refrigerating chamber housing having at least one refrigerating chamber. A door leaf is arranged on the refrigerating chamber housing for closing the refrigerating chamber. The refrigerating chamber housing has apertures in communication with the apertures of the housing of the refrigeration module for passage of air cooled by the evaporator into the refrigerating chamber and for passage of air from the refrigerating chamber to the evaporator.