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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →A refrigerator’s electricity use depends on its size, configuration, model and operating conditions, so there is no single figure that applies to every household. As one dated example, ENERGY STAR’s 2024 quick reference lists about 630 kWh per year for an ENERGY STAR certified side-by-side refrigerator. To find out what your own fridge uses, measure its cumulative kilowatt-hours with a compatible plug-in electricity monitor over several days, then use your electricity rate to estimate the energy cost.
How much electricity does a refrigerator use?
Electricity use is usually stated in kilowatt-hours per year (kWh/year). A watt reading describes power at a moment; it does not by itself tell you how much energy the refrigerator consumes over a day or a year. Consumption varies with the appliance’s model, size, configuration and operating conditions.
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ENERGY STAR’s 2024 quick reference gives an example of about 630 kWh/year and about $90/year for an ENERGY STAR certified side-by-side refrigerator. Those numbers describe that guide’s example, not a universal household average or a guaranteed bill cost. ENERGY STAR’s 2024 quick reference
How many kWh does a refrigerator use per day?
There is no reliable daily figure for all refrigerators. For a rough daily equivalent, divide a model’s annual kWh label figure by 365. For example, 630 kWh/year divided by 365 is about 1.73 kWh/day; that arithmetic uses the ENERGY STAR example above and is not a prediction for another refrigerator. A home meter reading can vary from day to day.
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How do I measure my refrigerator’s electricity use?
A plug-in electricity monitor with cumulative kWh tracking can measure an individual refrigerator when the appliance and outlet are compatible with the monitor. Use the monitor’s ratings and instructions to confirm compatibility. Colorado State University Extension describes power monitors as a practical way to measure appliance electricity use and includes a refrigerator example. Colorado State University Extension’s power-monitor guide
- Locate the refrigerator’s plug and check the outlet and supply requirements. Choose a monitor rated for the appliance and outlet, with a display or function that records accumulated kWh.
- Plug the monitor into the wall outlet and connect the refrigerator to the monitor, following the monitor’s instructions.
- Let the refrigerator run normally while the monitor accumulates energy. Keep ordinary temperature settings and usage steady rather than changing them for the measurement.
- Record the cumulative kWh after a representative period. A full day is a practical starting point; several days or a week gives a more useful estimate if daily use varies.
- To annualize a measurement, calculate: measured kWh ÷ number of observed days × 365. Treat the result as an estimate based on that period, since seasonal conditions and household use can change consumption.
This is a household measurement, not a formal Department of Energy efficiency test. The Australian Government’s energy-audit guidance also describes plug-in, rented and installed meters, and advises accounting for daily, monthly and seasonal variation. Australian Government guidance on conducting an energy audit
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How much does it cost to run a refrigerator?
For the energy component of the cost, multiply the measured or estimated kWh by your electricity price per kWh:
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Energy cost = kWh × electricity price per kWh
For example, if a monitor records 2 kWh over a day and your rate is 20 cents per kWh, the energy cost for that measured day is 40 cents. Use the rate on your bill; the example rate is only for illustrating the calculation. For an annual estimate, use annualized kWh and the current rate. This calculation estimates energy charges, not the entire bill, which may include other charges.
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An EnergyGuide label also lists estimated yearly electricity use and estimated yearly operating cost. Its cost figure depends on an assumed electricity price, so it may not match your local rate or actual use. The Department of Energy’s label material explains, “Your cost will depend on your utility rates and use of the product.” U.S. Department of Energy EnergyGuide label explanation
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why can a meter reading differ from the label?
EnergyGuide’s annual-use figure comes from a standardized test procedure. Federal rules specify how annual energy use in kWh/year is measured for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers and miscellaneous refrigeration products. A household monitor instead records one appliance under the conditions and usage observed in your home, so the two figures need not match exactly. Federal refrigerator test procedure, 10 CFR Part 430, Appendix A
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That difference does not automatically mean a label or home measurement is wrong: they answer related but different questions. The standardized figure helps compare models consistently, while a monitor helps estimate the use of your particular appliance during the period measured.
How to compare refrigerators before buying
Use EnergyGuide annual kWh figures to compare similar refrigerators, not appliances with substantially different sizes or configurations. The Department of Energy notes that larger refrigerators generally use more energy and describes EnergyGuide as a way to assess energy use and compare similar ENERGY STAR-qualified models. DOE Consumer Guide to Kitchen Appliances
- Compare the same general type and similar capacity, such as side-by-side models of similar size.
- Compare annual kWh first; it is a more direct energy-use comparison than label cost estimates that may use an assumed electricity price.
- Estimate cost for each model with the same local electricity rate so the comparison reflects your circumstances.
ENERGY STAR’s criteria page says consumer refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers of at least 7.75 cubic feet must use 10% less measured energy than the minimum federal efficiency standards. The page states that these criteria changed on August 5, 2021; check the program page for its current criteria when making a purchase decision. ENERGY STAR refrigerator criteria
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