Home energy · Kitchen
What does the fridge cost to run?
Yearly, monthly and daily cost of a refrigerator, freezer or mini fridge from the kWh per year on its EnergyGuide label or from its nameplate watts.
Inputs
Starting values are illustrative, not current prices or specifications. Replace each with your own.
Result
Answer
A refrigerator costs its yearly kWh times your price per kWh. A 400 kWh a year label at $0.15 per kWh is $60.00 a year, $5.00 a month and $600.00 over 10 years. With no label, run the nameplate watts one third of the time plugged in, which DOE gives as the way to estimate a refrigerator's running hours.
Worked example
From a label: 400 kWh × $0.15 = $60.00 a year, $5.00 a month, $600.00 over 10 years. From watts: 150 W × 24 hours × 365 days ÷ 3 ÷ 1,000 = 438 kWh, × $0.15 = $65.70 a year.
Formulas and notes
- Label method: yearly cost = yearly kWh × price per kWh. Watts method: yearly kWh = watts × 24 × days plugged in ÷ 3 ÷ 1,000.
- DOE: to estimate the hours a refrigerator operates at its maximum wattage, divide the time it is plugged in by three, because it cycles on and off to hold its temperature.
- The same method is a reasonable estimate for a freezer or mini fridge, though DOE's one-third figure is stated for refrigerators; a plug-in meter reading is better for any unit.
- Door openings, room temperature, age and the temperature setting all change real use. Starting values are illustrations.
Planning estimate only, not professional advice. Sources, checked 2026-10-08: U.S. Department of Energy, Estimating Appliance and Home Electronic Energy Use (archived copy, 2024-12-31) · U.S. Department of Energy, Reducing Electricity Use and Costs (archived copy, 2024-12-31)
FAQ
How much does it cost to run a refrigerator per year?
Multiply the yearly kWh on the EnergyGuide label by your price per kWh. At 400 kWh and $0.15 that is $60.00 a year; use your own label and rate.
What if my fridge has no EnergyGuide label?
Use the nameplate watts. DOE says to divide the plugged-in time by three to estimate the hours a refrigerator runs at its maximum wattage. Not every appliance is required to carry an EnergyGuide label.
How do I find the cost to run a mini fridge or freezer?
Enter its nameplate watts in the watts method, or its label kWh. The one-third running share is DOE's figure for refrigerators, so treat a mini fridge or freezer result as an estimate.
Is a second fridge worth keeping?
The calculator shows what it costs each year. DOE's page on reducing electricity use mentions getting rid of an extra refrigerator when you look for loads that run while you are not using them.
Why is my meter reading different?
Real use depends on room temperature, door openings, defrost cycles and age. A plug-in meter over a few days gives a better figure than a rating plate.