Knowing how much energy your refrigerator uses can help you take control of your home’s energy consumption levels. Your refrigerator is one of the few appliances in your house that operates 24/7 and also uses a significant amount of energy.
How much energy your fridge uses depends on its size, type, age and the ambient climate. However, most mid-sized refrigerators use between 300 and 800 watts to operate. Note that over a 24-hour cycle, a refrigerator turns on and off several times, which means its average power usage is typically lower than the numbers mentioned above.
- A typical domestic refrigerator consumes 300-800 watts of power.
- The power usage of a refrigerator depends on the fridge’s size, make and model, as well as how full it is and the ambient temperature in your home.
- Most refrigerators have thermal sensors that turn them on and off to maintain the temperature inside.
Refrigerator Power Usage by Type and Size
Refrigerator power ratings can vary widely based on their type. For instance, the larger a refrigerator, the higher its power usage. Below is a table showing the average running watts and estimated daily usage for some common refrigerator types.
| Refrigerator Type | Size (cubic feet) | Average Running Watts | Startup Watts | Daily kWh Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side-by-side | 22-30 | 300–800 | 700–2,000 | 1–3 |
| French door | 20-28 | 200–800 | 600–2,000 | 1–2 |
| Top freezer | 15-25 | 150–700 | 500–1,500 | 1–2 |
| Bottom freezer | 10-25 | 150–700 | 500–1,500 | 1–2 |
| Mini fridge | 1-4 | 50–120 | 250–500 | 0.5–1 |
Popular Fridge Models and Their Power Usage
The most popular refrigerator brands in the U.S. include LG, Samsung, Bosch, Whirlpool and more. Check out the table below with some of the most popular fridge models and their energy consumption details.
| Model | Type | Size (cu. ft.) | Energy Star Certified | Annual kWh Usage | Estimated Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG LRFS28XBS | French door | 27.7 | Yes | 726 | $102 |
| Samsung RS27T5200SR | Side-by-side | 27.4 | No | 728 | $87 |
| LG LRSOS2706S | Side-by-side | 27 | Yes | 694 | $83 |
| Whirlpool WRQA59CNKZ | French door | 19.4 | Yes | 569 | $68 |
| Samsung RS27T5561SR | Side-by-side | 26.7 | Yes | 691 | $83 |
| GE GNE27JYMFS | French door | 27 | Yes | 633 | $74 |
| LG LTCS20020B | Top freezer | 20.2 | Yes | 387 | $46 |
| Samsung RT18M6215SR | Top freezer | 17.6 | Yes | 448 | $54 |
How Many Watts Does a Mini-Fridge Use?
A mini fridge generally uses between 50 and 100 watts of power. Its average power consumption, however, lies between 20 and 60 watts. Mini fridges use less energy than their larger counterparts, such as the side-by-side or French door models, because they have a smaller space to cool.
Cost To Run a Refrigerator
The cost of running a refrigerator depends on its size, type and age, as well as the cost per kilowatt-hour of energy usage at your home. On average, most top or bottom freezer models cost about $40 to $60 to run.
Larger fridges such as French door or side-by-side models draw more power and thus are more expensive to operate, costing about $70–$120 per year. Note that modern, more energy-efficient models will cost less than older models.
Calculating Your Refrigerator’s Energy Usage
Calculating your refrigerator’s energy usage can be slightly more complicated than for other appliances since it operates throughout the day but also keeps switching on and off based on the temperature.
To calculate a refrigerator’s daily or monthly energy consumption, start by examining its power rating. You can find the power rating on a sticker pasted on the back of the fridge or the company website.
Multiply the power rating by 24 hours to get a theoretical maximum energy usage value. Let us take the example of a typical domestic fridge with a power rating of 400 watts. Thus, you have:
400 W x 24 h = 9600 Wh or 9.6 kWh.
Now, we need to account for the fact that a refrigerator turns on and off every few minutes. On average, it stays on for about a quarter of an hour. So, we can divide the above number by four.
9.6 kWh ÷ 4 = 2.4 kWh per day or 2.4 kWh x 365 days = 876 kWh per year
Keep in mind that energy usage values change based on many factors, the most important of which is the ambient climate. This means your fridge will consume more than the above-calculated daily value in summers and less in winters, but on average, it will be around the calculated value.
Another simpler way to determine your fridge’s annual energy consumption is to examine its EnerGuide label. The Federal Trade Commission requires refrigerator manufacturers to paste an informational label showing the product’s approximate yearly consumption.
EnerGuide labels are yellow and also include other important information, such as a comparison of energy usage with similar fridges and estimated annual expenses based on average electricity cost.
Understanding Refrigerator Power Consumption
The refrigerator is one of the few appliances with a complex energy consumption pattern. It must always be plugged in but also automatically switches off and on based on cooling needs.
Refrigerators are essentially devices that constantly collect and expel heat from a designated, insulated space. Naturally, if you put more stuff in your refrigerator, it will require more power to run. Similarly, those in warmer climates consume more power because, despite the insulation, some heat always leaks in through the walls.
Fridges have an operating voltage and current, which make up the total power consumption. In the U.S., every refrigerator generally runs on 110 to 120 volts (V), while the current consumption lies between 3 and 6 amperes (A). When you multiply the voltage and current values of your fridge and adjust for losses, you get a power consumption value in watts, which typically lies between 300 and 800 W.
Energy-Efficient Refrigerators
Energy-efficient refrigerators consume less power to perform the same function. They have high-performance compressors that generate less heat and draw heat more effectively. Modern refrigerators are generally more energy-efficient than older models.
We also recommend looking into Energy Star-certified refrigerators. The Energy Star certification is a program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify energy-efficient appliances and help customers save money while reducing energy and emissions. According to Energy Star, a refrigerator with an Energy Star certification can save you about $160 over its lifespan.
If you are looking for a new refrigerator, buying one with an Energy Star certification is always a good idea, especially since they aren’t significantly more expensive than non-certified models. The chart with popular refrigerator models and power usage values shown a few sections ago includes some Energy Star Certified models worth considering.
Energy-Saving Tips
Reducing your refrigerator’s energy consumption can significantly reduce your monthly power bills. Fortunately, saving energy and money on your refrigerator is quite simple. Check out some practical tips below.
Practical Energy-Saving Strategies
- Opt for an energy-efficient model: To save energy, choose an energy-efficient fridge, particularly one with an Energy Star rating.
- Don’t overstuff: Having too much stuff in your fridge means more work for the compressor — just as a truck carrying too much weight will consume more fuel.
- Place the fridge in a cool place: The warmer your fridge gets from the outside, the more difficult it is to cool it from the inside. Avoid placing your fridge in warmer spots, such as near a window where direct sunlight can fall on it.
- Check for leaks: Occasionally inspect your fridge for leaks, especially on its door seals.
- Minimize door opening: Keeping the fridge door open for longer or opening it frequently causes loss of cold, inside air as warmer, ambient air enters the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions About Refrigerator Energy Usage
How many watts does a refrigerator use when starting up?
Refrigerators typically use two to three times their rated power to start up. For example, a fridge with a power rating of 400 W can draw up to 1,200 W of power for a few seconds when starting. This is because it is easier to power a compressor that is already in motion than one that’s at rest, an effect known as inertia.
Do new refrigerators use less electricity than older models?
Yes, newer refrigerators use less electricity than older models. This is because they have better insulation and more efficient compressors, which means there are fewer losses.
How much does it cost to run a refrigerator per month?
The cost of running a refrigerator for a month depends on the type, size and age of the refrigerator. However, most common fridges require about $5 to $15 to operate per month.
What’s the most energy-efficient refrigerator type?
Top-freezer refrigerators are usually the most energy-efficient type of refrigerator. They have smaller spaces and narrower doors, causing fewer air leaks than side-by-side or French-door refrigerators. Also, the top-mounted freezer is farther from the compressor, which lies at the bottom and generates heat. This allows the freezer to run more efficiently.
