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How Much Electricity Does a Refrigerator Use?
How many watts does a refrigerator use
4 minute read • Last update June 2026
How much electricity does a fridge use?
A typical refrigerator uses about 650 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year, which is an average continuous power draw or average hourly wattage of 74 watts.
It’s worth noting that refrigerator compressors do not run continuously. Rather, they operate for about one third of the day.
You can multiply the average hourly wattage by 3 to estimate the peak wattage when the compressor kicks on. That means a typical refrigerator will use about 220 watts when the compressor is actively cooling the interior.
How much does it cost to power a refrigerator?
A typical refrigerator may cost between $80-$150 per year or $6-$12.50 per month, to operate depending on the size, age, and type of the appliance.
Larger refrigerators will typically cost more to run because they use more energy.
New refrigerators are also typically much more energy efficient due to enhanced technology.
Let’s use this real Energy Guide label as an example to examine power consumption in kilowatt-hours, average hourly wattage, peak wattage, and estimated cost.
This refrigerator is estimated to use 647 kWh per year, or 1.7 kWh per day.
To convert annual kWh usage to average hourly wattage, multiply by 1,000 and divide by 8,760 (number of hours in a year).
- 647 kWh x 1,000 ÷ 8,760 hours = 73.8 watts
To convert the average hourly wattage into peak wattage, multiply watts by 3.
- 73.8 watts x 3 = 221.4 watts
To calculate estimated costs, you can multiply the kWh consumed by the average cost of electricity in cents per kWh. In this example, let’s use $0.14 cents per kWh.
- 647 kWh x $0.14 cents per kWh = $90.58
| Peak wattage | Average wattage | Usage time | kWh consumed | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 221.4 W | 73.8 W | 1 year | 647 kWh | $90.58 |
| 221.4 W | 73.8 W | 1 month | 54 kWh | $7.55 |
| 221.4 W | 73.8 W | 1 day | 1.7 kWh | $0.25 |
How to calculate how much energy your home’s refrigerator uses
If you’re looking to figure out exactly how much electricity your own fridge consumes, the best option is to refer to the yellow Energy Guide label associated with your refrigerator model as a starting point.
Multiply the estimated yearly kWh usage number from the label by your plan’s electricity rate to calculate the cost.
What factors impact refrigerator electricity consumption?
The amount of power that a refrigerator will consume depends on the size, age, and door configuration of the appliance, as well as the geographic location of your home and how often the doors are opened.
Smaller and younger refrigerators in cold climates that are not often opened will use less power than a large, old refrigerator in a warm climate that is opened regularly.
- Size: Larger refrigerators may consume more energy than smaller ones.
- Frequency of Use: Refrigerators that are used several times per day will consume more energy than those that are used rarely because it requires a lot of energy to bring the temperature back down after opening the door.
- Age: Older models may use more electricity than newer, more energy efficient models.
- Location: The temperature outside of the refrigerator impacts electricity usage as well. The warmer it is outside, the more energy is needed to keep the fridge and its contents cool.
Energy efficiency and refrigerators
Energy efficiency is paramount in managing your refrigerator’s energy consumption, with the ENERGY STAR certification being a vital element to ponder when selecting an energy-efficient appliance.
What is ENERGY STAR?
ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program that helps consumers identify energy-efficient products. Products with the ENERGY STAR certification have met strict energy efficiency criteria and use at least 20% less energy than the minimum federal standards.
By choosing energy star appliances, you can save money on your electricity bill and contribute to a cleaner environment.
What are the benefits of an energy-efficient refrigerator?
The benefits of energy efficient refrigerators include:
- Lower energy consumption
- Reduced electricity bills
- Smaller environmental footprint
How to reduce your refrigerator’s power consumption
To reduce your refrigerator’s electricity consumption, regularly maintain the appliance’s components, place the refrigerator away from sources of heat, and adopt responsible habits when it comes to using the refrigerator door.
How to maintain a refrigerator to reduce energy usage
Refrigerator maintenance to reduce how much energy it consumes includes cleaning the components, checking the door seals for tears or cracks, and using proper temperature settings.
- Clean condenser coils every 6 months
- Check the door seals for tears or cracks and replace as needed
- Set the refrigerator temperature between 35°-38° Fahrenheit
Where to place the refrigerator for optimal energy efficiency
The best place to put a refrigerator is somewhere relatively dark and cool. You want to avoid placing the fridge in direct sunlight, or next to heat-generating sources like stoves, ovens, dishwashers, or furnaces.
Good habits to adopt with your refrigerator
If you’re looking to reduce your refrigerator’s energy consumption, avoid opening the door regularly, leaving the door open for long periods of time, be sure that the door is fully sealed when you shut it, and don’t overcrowd the interior.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a fridge use per day?
On average, a fridge will use between 1 to 2 kilowatts per hour each day, equating to approximately $80-$150 per year, depending on the size of the fridge and its energy efficiency.
How much does it cost to run a fridge per month?
Running a refrigerator typically costs around $6-$15 per month.
What uses the most electricity in a home?
Heating and cooling appliances are the biggest electricity consumers in the average home, accounting for up to 50% of total usage. Water heaters, lighting, refrigerators, washers and dryers, electric ovens, dishwashers, and TVs all contribute to electricity consumption as well.
What are the benefits of upgrading to an ENERGY STAR-certified refrigerator?
Upgrading to an ENERGY STAR-certified refrigerator can provide substantial benefits such as reduced electricity bills and a smaller environmental footprint, all while consuming less energy.
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