How to calculate refrigerator electricity cost
A refrigerator runs day and night, but its compressor cycles on and off. Instead of wattage and hours, the most reliable starting point is how much energy it uses in a year.
- Find the annual kWh on the EnergyGuide label — for example, 420 kWh per year.
- Multiply by your rate. 420 kWh × 17.5¢ ≈ $73.50 a year.
- Divide by 12 for a monthly cost of about $6.13.
Yearly cost = kWh per year × Price per kWh
What different refrigerators cost to run
Typical yearly energy use by type, at 17.5¢/kWh — the U.S. average residential rate (EIA, 2025).
| Refrigerator | kWh/year | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact / mini fridge | 250 | $3.65 | $43.75 |
| Top-freezer (≈18 cu ft) | 400 | $5.83 | $70.00 |
| Bottom-freezer (≈20 cu ft) | 480 | $7.00 | $84.00 |
| French door (≈25 cu ft) | 620 | $9.04 | $108.50 |
| Side-by-side (≈25 cu ft) | 650 | $9.48 | $113.75 |
| Older fridge (15+ years) | 1,000 | $14.58 | $175.00 |
Tips to cut fridge running costs
- Keep the fridge around 37–40°F and the freezer near 0°F — colder settings use more energy.
- Clean the condenser coils and leave a gap behind the fridge so heat can escape.
- Check the door seals; a gasket that doesn't grip a sheet of paper is leaking cold air.
- Unplug a mostly empty second fridge in the garage — it's often the oldest, thirstiest one.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a refrigerator use?
Most newer full-size refrigerators use roughly 400–650 kWh a year, depending on size and style. Older models can use 1,000 kWh or more. The exact figure for your model is on its yellow EnergyGuide label.
How much does it cost to run a fridge per month?
A fridge rated at 420 kWh per year costs about $6.13 a month — $73.50 a year — at 17.5¢/kWh.
How do I measure my refrigerator's power consumption?
Plug it into an electricity usage meter for at least a few days and note the kWh. A reading of 8 kWh over 7 days works out to about 417 kWh per year. Measuring for a full week captures defrost cycles and normal use.
Is it worth replacing an old refrigerator?
Replacing a 1,000 kWh/year fridge with a 400 kWh/year model saves about $105.00 a year at 17.5¢/kWh. Energy savings alone rarely pay for a new fridge quickly, but they add up over its 10–15 year life.
Why is my fridge's wattage higher than the average?
The compressor draws its full running wattage only while cooling and switches off in between, so the average across a day is much lower. That's why annual kWh is a better basis for cost than the nameplate wattage.
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