How Much Does A Refrigerator Cost to Run?
A refrigerator typically uses 150 watts. At 24 hours a day, drawing full power about 35% of the time, and $0.175/kWh, it costs about $0.221 per day, $6.62 per month and $80.48 per year.
Calculate your own cost
- Per hour
- $0.0090.05 kWh
- Per day
- $0.2211.26 kWh
- Per week
- $1.548.82 kWh
- Per month (30 days)
- $6.6237.8 kWh
- Per year
- $80.48460 kWh
Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × rate. Edit any box and every number updates instantly.
People also ask
How much does a 150-watt refrigerator cost per hour?
At $0.175/kWh, it costs $0.009 per hour. The maths: 150 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.15 kWh per hour, × $0.175 = $0.026. This page assumes it draws full power about 35% of the time, so the hourly figure shown is lower.
How much does it cost per month?
Used 24 hours a day for 30 days, it costs about $6.62 per month and uses 37.8 kWh. Change the hours in the calculator above to match how you use it.
How many kWh does it use?
1.26 kWh per day, 37.8 kWh per month and 460 kWh per year at 24 hours a day. A kWh is one kilowatt (1,000 W) used for one hour. It is the unit on your electricity bill.
How can I lower the cost?
Keep it away from the oven, keep the door seals clean and set it to 37°F (3°C). Check your bill for the exact rate and enter it above.
Does my electricity rate change the answer?
Yes, a lot. At 10¢ per kWh the monthly cost is $3.78 and at 30¢ it is $11.34. Find your rate on your bill (total cost ÷ kWh used) and type it into the calculator.
Cost by hours of use
| Used per day | Energy per day | Cost per day | Cost per month | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.05 kWh | $0.009 | $0.276 | $3.35 |
| 2 hours | 0.11 kWh | $0.018 | $0.551 | $6.71 |
| 3 hours | 0.16 kWh | $0.028 | $0.827 | $10.06 |
| 4 hours | 0.21 kWh | $0.037 | $1.10 | $13.41 |
| 5 hours | 0.26 kWh | $0.046 | $1.38 | $16.77 |
| 6 hours | 0.32 kWh | $0.055 | $1.65 | $20.12 |
| 7 hours | 0.37 kWh | $0.064 | $1.93 | $23.47 |
| 8 hours | 0.42 kWh | $0.074 | $2.21 | $26.83 |
| 9 hours | 0.47 kWh | $0.083 | $2.48 | $30.18 |
| 10 hours | 0.53 kWh | $0.092 | $2.76 | $33.53 |
| 11 hours | 0.58 kWh | $0.101 | $3.03 | $36.89 |
| 12 hours | 0.63 kWh | $0.11 | $3.31 | $40.24 |
| 13 hours | 0.68 kWh | $0.119 | $3.58 | $43.59 |
| 14 hours | 0.74 kWh | $0.129 | $3.86 | $46.95 |
| 15 hours | 0.79 kWh | $0.138 | $4.13 | $50.30 |
| 16 hours | 0.84 kWh | $0.147 | $4.41 | $53.66 |
| 17 hours | 0.89 kWh | $0.156 | $4.69 | $57.01 |
| 18 hours | 0.95 kWh | $0.165 | $4.96 | $60.36 |
| 19 hours | 1 kWh | $0.175 | $5.24 | $63.72 |
| 20 hours | 1.05 kWh | $0.184 | $5.51 | $67.07 |
| 21 hours | 1.1 kWh | $0.193 | $5.79 | $70.42 |
| 22 hours | 1.16 kWh | $0.202 | $6.06 | $73.78 |
| 23 hours | 1.21 kWh | $0.211 | $6.34 | $77.13 |
| 24 hours | 1.26 kWh | $0.221 | $6.62 | $80.48 |
How we worked it out
- Energy per hour: 150 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.15 kWh, × 35% of the time at full power = 0.05 kWh
- Cost per hour: 0.05 kWh × $0.175 = $0.009
- Cost per day: × 24 hours = $0.221
- Month and year: × 30 days = $6.62, × 365 days = $80.48
What it costs in different places
Same 150-watt refrigerator, 24 hours a day. Only the local electricity rate changes.
| Place | Rate per kWh | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $0.175 | $6.62 |
| California | $0.32 | $12.10 |
| Texas | $0.155 | $5.86 |
| New York | $0.25 | $9.45 |
| Florida | $0.155 | $5.86 |
| Illinois | $0.17 | $6.43 |
| Pennsylvania | $0.18 | $6.80 |
| Ohio | $0.17 | $6.43 |
| Washington | $0.115 | $4.35 |
About refrigerator running costs
A refrigerator is rated at its compressor power, but the compressor only runs about a third of the day. Annual kWh on the energy label is the best guide.
Typical sizes: 100 W, 150 W, 200 W, 300 W.
How to spend less: Keep it away from the oven, keep the door seals clean and set it to 37°F (3°C).
What this estimate assumes
- The appliance draws full power about 35% of the time, because it cycles on and off.
- Wattage is the typical label value, not a measured value. Check the label on your own appliance.
- The rate is an approximate residential average. Your bill may include fixed fees, tiers or time-of-use pricing. Edit the rate above.
- A month is 30 days and a year is 365 days.