The cost of running a refrigerator depends mainly on two numbers: how many kilowatt-hours the appliance uses each year and how much your electricity provider charges per kilowatt-hour.
For a quick estimate, multiply the refrigerator’s annual energy use by your electricity rate. A refrigerator using 400 kWh per year at an electricity rate of $0.15 per kWh would cost about $60 per year, or approximately $5 per month.
Quick formula: Annual refrigerator cost = annual energy use in kWh × electricity rate in dollars per kWh.
Refrigerator Running Cost Calculator
Use the version of the formula that matches how your electricity rate is written.
When Your Rate Is in Dollars per kWh
Annual cost = annual kWh × electricity rate in dollars per kWhExample:
- Refrigerator energy use: 400 kWh per year
- Electricity rate: $0.15 per kWh
400 × $0.15 = $60 per yearWhen Your Rate Is in Cents per kWh
Annual cost = annual kWh × electricity rate in cents ÷ 100Using the same refrigerator and a rate of 15 cents per kWh:
400 × 15 ÷ 100 = $60 per yearThe division by 100 converts cents into dollars. Do not divide by 100 when you have already entered the rate as $0.15.
How to Find Your Refrigerator’s Annual Energy Use
You need an annual kilowatt-hour figure before you can estimate operating cost accurately. There are several ways to find it.
Check the EnergyGuide Label
New refrigerators sold in the United States generally display a yellow EnergyGuide label. It shows the model’s estimated yearly electricity use in kilowatt-hours and an estimated annual operating cost based on a standardized electricity rate.
Use the kWh figure rather than relying only on the estimated dollar amount. Multiplying the kWh figure by your own electricity rate gives you a more locally relevant estimate.
Look Up the Model Number
If you no longer have the label, find the refrigerator’s model number on the identification plate. Depending on the model, the plate may be inside the fresh-food compartment, behind a drawer, near the door frame, or on the rear of the appliance.
You can then search the manufacturer’s specifications, the ENERGY STAR product database, or the U.S. Department of Energy refrigerator and freezer energy-rating tool.
Measure Actual Electricity Use
A plug-in electricity meter can measure the refrigerator’s real energy use over several days or weeks. Use only a meter rated for the refrigerator’s electrical load and follow the appliance and meter manufacturers’ instructions.
Because refrigerator energy use changes with room temperature, door openings, food load, and compressor cycles, a longer measurement period generally provides a more useful estimate than a few hours of testing.
How to Find Your Electricity Rate
Your electricity bill may show the rate in dollars or cents per kilowatt-hour. Rates can also vary by season, time of day, or usage tier.
For a simple estimate, use the per-kWh rate shown on your latest bill. When several variable charges apply to each kilowatt-hour, add them together.
Be careful with fixed monthly service charges. Those charges usually remain even if the refrigerator uses less electricity, so including them can exaggerate the savings from switching models.
Convert Annual Cost Into Monthly and Daily Cost
Once you calculate the annual cost, you can convert it into shorter periods.
Monthly cost = annual cost ÷ 12
Daily cost = annual cost ÷ 365For the refrigerator costing $60 per year:
- Monthly cost: $60 ÷ 12 = $5
- Daily cost: $60 ÷ 365 = approximately $0.16
This means the refrigerator costs approximately 16 cents per day under the assumptions used in the calculation.
Example: Comparing Two Refrigerators
Suppose you are comparing two refrigerators at an electricity rate of $0.15 per kWh.
| Refrigerator | Annual Energy Use | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model A | 400 kWh | $60.00 | $5.00 |
| Model B | 550 kWh | $82.50 | $6.88 |
Model A uses 150 fewer kWh each year and saves approximately $22.50 annually at this electricity rate.
Over 12 years, the simple undiscounted difference would be:
$22.50 × 12 = $270This estimate assumes that electricity rates and appliance performance remain unchanged. Actual lifetime savings may be higher or lower.
How to Calculate Payback Time
An efficient refrigerator may cost more upfront. You can estimate how long it would take for the energy savings to recover that additional purchase cost.
Payback period = additional purchase cost ÷ annual energy savingsIf the efficient model costs $200 more and saves $22.50 per year:
$200 ÷ $22.50 = approximately 8.9 yearsPayback is only one part of the decision. Also compare capacity, dimensions, expected reliability, warranty coverage, repair history, and the features your household will actually use.
EnergyGuide and ENERGY STAR Are Not the Same
The yellow EnergyGuide label and the blue ENERGY STAR mark serve different purposes.
- EnergyGuide: Shows estimated annual energy use, estimated operating cost, and how the model compares with similar appliances.
- ENERGY STAR: Identifies models that meet the program’s current efficiency requirements.
ENERGY STAR currently states that a certified residential refrigerator is approximately 9% more energy-efficient than a model meeting the federal minimum efficiency standard. However, certification alone does not tell you which refrigerator will cost the least to operate.
A large certified French-door refrigerator may still use more electricity than a smaller top-freezer model. Compare the annual kWh figures for models of an appropriate size and configuration.
What Changes a Refrigerator’s Actual Running Cost?
The EnergyGuide figure is based on standardized testing. Actual household use can differ because of installation, climate, maintenance, and daily habits.
Refrigerator Size
Larger refrigerators generally require more electricity than smaller models. Buying considerably more capacity than your household needs can increase both the purchase price and long-term running cost.
Door and Freezer Configuration
Configuration matters. Ice makers, through-the-door dispensers, multiple doors, and larger freezer compartments may increase energy use compared with simpler designs.
Room Temperature
A refrigerator in a hot kitchen, sunny location, or unconditioned garage may run longer than the same model in a moderate indoor environment. Always verify that the refrigerator is approved for the temperatures where you plan to install it.
Ventilation
Insufficient clearance around the refrigerator can interfere with heat release. Follow the model’s installation instructions rather than assuming that every refrigerator needs the same clearance.
Door Seals
Damaged or poorly aligned gaskets allow cold air to escape. The compressor may run longer to maintain the selected temperature.
Temperature Setting
Setting the refrigerator substantially colder than necessary can increase energy use. Use an appliance thermometer to verify the actual temperature rather than relying only on the control setting.
Maintenance
Dust around accessible condenser coils or ventilation grilles may reduce heat-transfer performance on models that require cleaning. Check the owner’s manual before attempting maintenance because some modern condenser systems are enclosed.
Our guide on reducing refrigerator energy use covers temperature, ventilation, door seals, food storage, and maintenance in more detail.
How Much Does an Old Refrigerator Cost to Run?
Age alone does not reveal an appliance’s operating cost. Two refrigerators manufactured in the same year can have different sizes, configurations, efficiency ratings, and maintenance histories.
For a better estimate:
How much does a refrigerator cost to run per month?
Divide its estimated annual operating cost by 12. A refrigerator costing $60 per year would cost approximately $5 per month. Your result depends on annual kWh use and your electricity rate.
How do I calculate refrigerator cost from watts?
Using the wattage printed on the appliance can be misleading because the compressor does not normally run continuously. A measured kWh figure or the annual kWh estimate from the EnergyGuide label is generally more useful.
Does a refrigerator use the same amount of electricity every day?
No. Daily use can change with room temperature, door openings, newly added food, defrost cycles, ice production, temperature settings, and the condition of the appliance.
Does an ENERGY STAR refrigerator always cost less to run?
Not necessarily when comparing refrigerators of different sizes or designs. Compare annual kWh use among models that meet the same capacity and feature requirements.
Should fixed utility charges be included?
Fixed monthly charges normally remain regardless of how much electricity the refrigerator uses. Use the variable per-kWh charges when estimating how much you could save by reducing refrigerator consumption.
Final Takeaway
The most reliable way to estimate refrigerator running cost is to multiply annual energy use in kilowatt-hours by your local electricity rate in dollars per kilowatt-hour.
Use the EnergyGuide label, manufacturer data, or measured electricity use to find the kWh figure. Then compare refrigerators of a similar size and configuration rather than relying on purchase price, age, or an efficiency logo alone.
20 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Fridge’s Energy Consumption
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