How much does a refrigerator cost to run?

A refrigerator typically draws around 150 W while running. Ratings vary widely between models, so check the label and change the figure below. A fridge cycles on and off, so the running hours are the compressor duty cycle rather than the whole day.

Power

Hours per day

Days per year in use

Electricity price

per kWh

Standby power

Grid carbon intensity

g CO2 per kWh

Cost per year

124.28

= Exact Running cost of a refrigerator

Cost per month: 10.36
Cost per day: 0.34
Cost per hour of use: 0.04
Energy per year: 443.8 kWh
Energy per day: 1.2160 kWh
Carbon dioxide per year: 111.0
Annual cost of standby alone: 1.64

Show the working

Power = 150
Hours per day = 8
Days per year in use = 365
Electricity price = 0.28
Standby power = 1
Grid carbon intensity = 250
kw = 150 / 1000 = 0.15
daily_kwh = 0.15 * 8 = 1.2
standby_kwh = 1 / 1000 * (24 - 8) = 0.016
Energy per day = 1.2 + 0.016 = 1.216
Energy per year = 1.216 * 365 = 443.84
Cost per day = 1.216 * 0.28 = 0.340 48
Cost per year = 443.84 * 0.28 = 124.275
Cost per month = 124.275 / 12 = 10.3563
Cost per hour of use = 0.15 * 0.28 = 0.042
Carbon dioxide per year = 443.84 * 250 / 1000 = 110.96
Annual cost of standby alone = 0.016 * 365 * 0.28 = 1.6352

Values are shown to six significant figures here; the arithmetic itself runs on exact fractions and is only rounded where a number is printed.

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The formula

daily energy = power in kW x hours
annual cost = daily energy x days x price per kWh

Nameplate wattage is the maximum draw, not the average. A cycling appliance like a fridge or a freezer averages far less.

Standby draw is small per device and adds up across a house: ten devices at 2 W each is 175 kWh a year.

A fridge cycles on and off, so the running hours are the compressor duty cycle rather than the whole day.

Running cost of a refrigerator at different tariffs

Price per kWh	Per hour	Per year at 8 h/day
0.10	0.0150	43.80
0.15	0.0225	65.70
0.20	0.0300	87.60
0.25	0.0375	109.50
0.30	0.0450	131.40
0.40	0.0600	175.20

Frequently asked

How many watts does a refrigerator use?

Typically around 150 W while running, though models vary. Check the rating plate.

How much electricity does it use per day?

About 1.20 kWh at 8 hours of use.