How much does it cost to run a beverage cooler?
A beverage cooler costs about 17¢ a day, $5.25 a month and $63 a year at typical use (350 kWh a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. A residential 100-150 can glass-door beverage cooler typically uses 250-450 kWh a year; glass doors leak more heat than solid doors.
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Cost to run a beverage cooler in every state
The same beverage cooler costs $43 a year in North Dakota and $152 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | $3.59 | $43 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | $3.69 | $44 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | $3.75 | $45 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | $3.79 | $45 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | $3.89 | $47 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | $3.90 | $47 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | $3.92 | $47 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | $3.95 | $47 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | $4.00 | $48 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | $4.04 | $48 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | $4.06 | $49 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | $4.07 | $49 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $4.09 | $49 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | $4.12 | $49 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | $4.12 | $49 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | $4.14 | $50 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | $4.31 | $52 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | $4.31 | $52 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | $4.40 | $53 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | $4.41 | $53 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | $4.47 | $54 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | $4.49 | $54 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | $4.49 | $54 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | $4.51 | $54 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | $4.52 | $54 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | $4.56 | $55 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | $4.66 | $56 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | $4.73 | $57 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $4.79 | $58 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | $4.81 | $58 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | $4.84 | $58 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | $4.94 | $59 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | $5.19 | $62 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | $5.32 | $64 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | $5.47 | $66 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | $5.48 | $66 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | $6.04 | $72 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | $6.13 | $74 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | $6.14 | $74 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | $6.94 | $83 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | $6.94 | $83 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | $7.06 | $85 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | $7.78 | $93 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | $7.83 | $94 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | $8.16 | $98 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | $8.28 | $99 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | $8.54 | $102 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | $8.55 | $103 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $8.88 | $107 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $9.62 | $115 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $12.69 | $152 |
How to cut the cost
- Set it to 38-40°F; 34°F 'ice cold' settings can add 15-20% to energy use.
- Keep it full; cans hold cold and reduce cycling after door openings.
- Turn off the interior LED light if it stays on with the door closed.
- Vacuum the front or rear vent grille every few months.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
A solid insulated door loses far less heat than a glass door, cutting use by roughly a quarter.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beverage cooler | 100 | 350 kWh a year | $5.25 | $63 |
| Mini fridge | 80 | 270 kWh a year | $4.05 | $49 |
| Wine cooler | 85 | 300 kWh a year | $4.50 | $54 |
| Kegerator | 100 | 350 kWh a year | $5.25 | $63 |
| Garage refrigerator | 200 | 800 kWh a year | $11.99 | $144 |
| Chest freezer | 100 | 250 kWh a year | $3.75 | $45 |
| Water dispenser | 100 | 400 kWh a year | $6.00 | $72 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a beverage cooler per hour?
A beverage cooler is usually measured per year rather than per hour. It uses about 350 kWh a year, which works out to 17¢ a day.
How much does it cost to run a beverage cooler per month?
At typical use (350 kWh a year), a beverage cooler costs about $5.25 a month and $63 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a beverage cooler use?
Most beverage coolers use 60 to 180 watts. Starting surge can reach 450 W. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a beverage cooler use?
About 0.96 kWh a day and 350 kWh a year at typical use (350 kWh a year).
Does a beverage cooler use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 350 kWh a year is about 3% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a beverage cooler or a mini fridge?
At typical use, a beverage cooler costs about $63 a year versus $49 for a mini fridge. So the mini fridge is cheaper by about $14 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a beverage cooler?
- Set it to 38-40°F; 34°F 'ice cold' settings can add 15-20% to energy use.
- Keep it full; cans hold cold and reduce cycling after door openings.
- Turn off the interior LED light if it stays on with the door closed.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.