Energy Consumption & Cost of a Refrigerator (And Mini Fridge!)

Looking for ways to lower your electricity bill? Finding ways to save on electricity is a great way to keep money in your pocket. That’s why it’s important to understand how much power your appliances use. Outdated or inefficient appliances could be costing you money, even when they’re not in use!

This post takes a look at one of the larger appliances in your house that’s always on — your refrigerator.

What is a kilowatt hour (kWh)?

Before we can determine how much energy an appliance uses, we have to understand watts and kilowatt hours. Watts are the standard measurement rate of energy consumption, with one kilowatt (kW) equalling 1,000 watts.

A kilowatt hour (kWh) is the metric utility companies use to gauge how much electricity your residence uses over time — specifically, the amount of energy used to generate 1,000 watts of power for one hour. Your monthly electricity bill is based on how much your utility provider charges you per kWh. The rate will vary by your location, provider, and season — with certain times of year (such as summer) incurring higher utility rates due to increased demand from more consumers.

For more information about kilowatts and kwH, visit our other blog post “What is a kilowatt-hour and why does it matter?”

How much energy does a refrigerator use?

You can get an estimate of the energy cost of your refrigerator by calculating its monthly or annual kWH usage. The simplest way to determine a refrigerator’s kWH usage will be to look at its EnergyGuide label. Most appliances are required to have an EnergyGuide label that shows its estimated annual energy consumption and operating cost.

However, not all refrigerators will have an EnergyGuide sticker. If you need to estimate the kWh usage of your refrigerator, then you’ll have to determine how many watts of electricity your refrigerator uses.

How many watts and amps does a refrigerator use?

If your refrigerator doesn’t have an Energy Guide sticker, then the simplest way to determine the wattage of your refrigerator, will be to look at the rating plate (also called a nameplate) inside your fridge and search for the listed wattage or the number of volts and amps.

Most nameplates will have the wattage listed, though if it isn’t then you can still calculate your wattage though its volts and amps.

• Volts (V): Short for voltage, volts measure the difference in electric potential between two points in an electrical circuit. This difference is what causes electric charges to flow from an outlet to your appliance. Voltage tells you how much electrical potential the hair dryer needs to operate. Electrical outlets in North America supply 120 volts, which is sufficient for most appliances.
• Amps (A): Short for amperes, amps measure electrical current. The amperage rating tells you the number of electrons flowing through a circuit, which is how much electrical current an appliance draws. Older, less efficient appliances will have higher amperage ratings.

Multiply the voltage by the amperage to determine how many watts your fridge uses, which will also tell you the rate of energy consumption. On average, most full-sized home refrigerators use between 300 to 800 watts of electricity.

• Using the above example of 110 volts x 12 amps results in 1,320 watts.

However, it does get a little more complicated because your refrigerator is not actually running all the time (or if it is, then you have a problem with the refrigerator’s functionality). The compressor should be running only when needed to cool down the inside. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommends that you divide the total time the refrigerator is plugged in by three to account for the number of hours that your refrigerator is actually running — assuming a 24-hour day gives us eight hours of operation.

So, to find the annual kWh energy consumption of your refrigerator:

1. Start by dividing the wattage by 1,000, which for our example is 1,320 / 1,000 = 1.32 kWh.
2. Multiply that number by 8 to find the daily usage, 1.32 x 8 = 10.56 kWh.
3. Multiply again by an average of 30 days for each month, 10.56 x 30 = 316.8 kWh/month.
4. Then multiply by 12 to find the refrigerator’s annual energy usage, 316.8 x 12 = 3,801.6 kWh per year.

All that said, calculating the voltage and amperage ratings of your refrigerator or following the Energy Guide is only an estimate. The actual kWH usage of your refrigerator throughout any day will depend on a number of key factors:

• Type — Larger refrigerators will use more electricity, and certain designs are more or less energy efficient. For example, models with the freezer on top tend to use less energy than other designs, and those with a fewer number of doors will leak less air.
• Ambient temperature — If your refrigerator is in a warm area or is poorly ventilated, then it will have to use more power to stay cool. Also, your refrigerator will use more energy in summer if the ambient temperature in your house is high.
• Internal temperature — Your set internal temperature will also determine how much energy your fridge uses. Fresh food should be stored around 35°-38°F but the factory setting may be colder than needed.
• Usage — If your refrigerator is in constant use then it will need to work harder. The more frequently a fridge door is opened or held open, the harder the compressor will need to work.
• Storage — Storing warm food within a fridge will require more energy to cool down. An empty fridge will actually need to work harder than a stocked fridge because more of the cooler air escapes when a door is opened.
• Condition — Not only are older refrigerators less energy efficient than newer, EnergyStar-rated fridges, all refrigerators will wear down and lose efficiency over time. As your refrigerator’s door seals wear down, the more cool air will escape.

There are a lot of factors that can increase your refrigerator’s energy usage over the estimated average. If you definitely want to know how much energy your refrigerator uses, then you’ll have to use a wattmeter/power meter to accurately measure its power consumption. You can find and purchase an electricity usage monitor at most hardware stores for around $25-$50.

How much does it cost to run a refrigerator?

Once you know your refrigerator’s kWH average, then you’ll need to multiply that value by the kWh usage rate charged by your utility company. For example, at the U.S. average cost of 16.21 cents per KwH, it would cost an average of $20 a month or $240 a year to run a 500 watt, full-sized refrigerator.

Here is a selection of quick reference guides for the operation costs of a range of full-size and mini-refrigerators.

 

Cost to Run a Full-sized Refrigerator (at U.S. Average of 16.21 cents per kWh)

	For 1 day (8 hours)	For 1 week (7 days)	For 1 month (30 days)	For 1 year (365 days)
350 watt fridge	$0.45	$3.18	$13.62	$165.67
500 watt fridge	$0.65	$4.54	$19.45	$236.19
800 watt fridge	$1.03	$7.27	$31.12	$378.67

 

Cost to Run a Mini Refrigerator (at U.S. Average of 16.21 cents per kWh)

	For 1 day (8 hours)	For 1 week (7 days)	For 1 month (30 days)	For 1 year (365 days)
50 watt fridge	$0.06	$0.45	$1.95	$23.67
100 watt fridge	$0.13	$0.90	$3.89	$47.33

And here’s a comparison of annual electricity costs for different states based on the average kWh charges.

 

Cost to Run a Full-Sized Refrigerator for 1 Year in Different U.S. States*

	Michigan 19.06 cents per kWh	Pennsylvania 18.43 cents per kWh	Ohio 16.01 cents per kWh	Illinois 15.83 cents per kWh	Indiana 15.17 cents per kWh
350 watt fridge 1,022 kWh	$194.79	$188.35	$163.62	$161.78	$155.03
500 watt fridge 1,460 kWh	$278.28	$269.08	$233.75	$231.12	$221,48
800 watt fridge 2,336 kWh	$445.24	$430.52	$373.99	$369.79	$354.37

 

Cost to Run a Mini Refrigerator for 1 Year in Different U.S. States*

	Michigan 19.06 cents per kWh	Pennsylvania 18.43 cents per kWh	Ohio 16.01 cents per kWh	Illinois 15.83 cents per kWh	Indiana 15.17 cents per kWh
50 watt fridge 146 kWh	$27.82	$26.91	$23.37	$23.11	$22.15
100 watt fridge 292 kWh	$55.66	$269.08	$46.75	$46.22	$44.30

*costs are based on EIA estimation of average kWH as of October 2023.

FAQs

How many watts does it take to run a full-sized refrigerator?
The exact wattage to run a full-sized refrigerator will vary based on its make and model. Most full-sized, residential refrigerators will use between 300 to 800 watts of electricity.

What size generator do I need to run a refrigerator?
If you need to use a generator to run your refrigerator, then its size will depend on the starting wattage of your refrigerator model. When a fridge starts up, it typically requires a higher amount of power for a brief period of time. On average, expect to need about one-and-a-half to twice as much wattage to start the fridge. So you would expect a 750-watt fridge to require a 1,500-watt generator to provide the 1,200-1,500 watts needed to start the refrigerator. You should be able to check the necessary startup wattage in your refrigerator’s manufacturer’s manual.

Will 500 watts or less run a refrigerator?
The exact wattage you need to run a refrigerator will depend on its specifications. However, because the compressor requires extra wattage to start, 500 watts won’t be enough to start a 500-watt refrigerator.

How can I save on electricity?

A refrigerator is considered one of the most important and common household appliances, so we all need one. But how can we cut costs and save on our electricity usage? Consider these tips to ensure your refrigerator is operating at peak efficiency.

• Open your fridge less often. Decide what you want from the refrigerator before you open the door. Remember that the more often you open the door (and the longer you keep it open) the more cold air you’re allowing to escape and the harder the compressor will need to work.
• Let food cool down before storing. Putting hot food directly into the refrigerator will force it to work harder to bring down the inside temperature. Allow your food to cool down on the counter to about room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator.
• Don’t overfill the refrigerator and don’t leave it empty. An empty refrigerator loses more cold air every time the door is open, so you’re not saving money by keeping it empty. At the same time, a refrigerator stuffed with food will take more energy to cool down. Keep your refrigerator well-stocked, but organized.
• Purchase an energy-efficient refrigerator. Older refrigerators aren’t as energy-efficient as newer models. When purchasing a new fridge, look for the ENERGY STAR® logo to ensure that the refrigerator is energy efficient. A certified ENERGY STAR® appliance is guaranteed to meet specific federal standards for energy efficiency.

• Set an ideal temperature in the refrigerator that isn’t too cold. Your food should be cool and not too cold, otherwise you’re wasting energy. The DOE recommends temperatures between 35°-38°F for the fresh food compartment and 0° F for separate freezers for long-term storage. After you purchase a new refrigerator be sure to check its factory settings, as they may be set lower than needed.
• Ensure that your refrigerator is properly maintained. Clean the dust and dirt off coils in the back of the refrigerator, as more airflow will allow the refrigerator to work more efficiently. Check the door seals for leaks, breaks, or cracks where cool air may be escaping. According to Energy.gov most refrigerators last an average of 12 years, so if yours is over a decade old, it may need some minor repairs or replacement parts.
• Keep your fridge away from high temperature areas of your house. Hot air around the refrigerator will force it to work harder. If your refrigerator is in the kitchen, try to move it away from the oven. Also, it’s not recommended to keep refrigerators in areas of the house that get very hot during summer days, such as garages or outdoor patios.
• Invest in smart appliances. Modern, smart appliances have features that allow them to automatically shift their energy use during times of peak demand, using less energy when costs are higher and operating during off-hours, such as overnight or during weekends. Some can also connect to a mobile device or computer to show its energy usage and allow you to remotely adjust settings.
• Select an energy plan that works for you. If you want more control over your energy bill and don’t want to worry about spikes in your kWh charges, see if your retail energy provider offers Unlimited Energy or Fixed-Rate plans. Fixed rate plans guarantee a cost that does not change for a specified period of time while unlimited energy plans allow you to pay the same amount every month without worrying about fluctuating energy costs.*

You can even choose Earth-Friendly Energy plans if you want to use renewable energy to power your appliances.

* Restrictions apply. Enrollment based upon program eligibility. Customers using more than 125% of normal monthly usage as determined by Santanna may be required to switch plans.