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How Much Does a Refrigerator Cost to Run?
A modern refrigerator cycles on and off throughout the day, averaging about 150 watts. Older models from the 1990s can use 2-3x more.
watts
hrs/day
$/kWh
Daily Cost
$0.58
3.6 kWh
Monthly Cost
$17.28
108.0 kWh
Yearly Cost
$210.24
1314.0 kWh
For perspective...
At $210.24/year, this appliance costs as much as 14 months of Netflix. Worth looking into energy-saving alternatives.
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Refrigerator
- Keep the coils clean — dusty coils increase energy use by up to 25%
- Set the fridge to 37°F and freezer to 0°F for optimal efficiency
- A full fridge holds cold better than an empty one, but don't overfill