How much does it cost to run a french door refrigerator?
A french door refrigerator costs about 31¢ a day, $9.44 a month and $113 a year at typical use (630 kWh a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Most 25-28 cu ft French door refrigerators are rated 550-750 kWh a year on the yellow EnergyGuide label; through-door ice adds to the high end.
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Cost to run a french door refrigerator in every state
The same french door refrigerator costs $78 a year in North Dakota and $274 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | $6.47 | $78 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | $6.64 | $80 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | $6.75 | $81 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | $6.82 | $82 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | $6.99 | $84 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | $7.01 | $84 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | $7.05 | $85 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | $7.12 | $85 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | $7.19 | $86 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | $7.27 | $87 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | $7.31 | $88 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | $7.32 | $88 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $7.36 | $88 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | $7.41 | $89 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | $7.42 | $89 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | $7.45 | $89 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | $7.75 | $93 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | $7.75 | $93 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | $7.92 | $95 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | $7.94 | $95 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | $8.04 | $97 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | $8.08 | $97 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | $8.08 | $97 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | $8.13 | $98 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | $8.14 | $98 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | $8.21 | $99 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | $8.38 | $101 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | $8.52 | $102 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $8.63 | $104 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | $8.65 | $104 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | $8.70 | $104 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | $8.89 | $107 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | $9.34 | $112 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | $9.58 | $115 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | $9.84 | $118 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | $9.86 | $118 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | $10.87 | $130 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | $11.04 | $132 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | $11.05 | $133 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | $12.48 | $150 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | $12.50 | $150 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | $12.71 | $152 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | $14.00 | $168 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | $14.10 | $169 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | $14.69 | $176 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | $14.90 | $179 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | $15.37 | $184 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | $15.39 | $185 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $15.98 | $192 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $17.32 | $208 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $22.84 | $274 |
Most efficient french door refrigerator models
The lowest-energy ENERGY STAR certified models in the most common size (10.7–14.5 cu ft), out of 4,334 certified models. In this class, the best model costs $21 a year to run. The least efficient costs $95. Same size, $75 a year apart.
| Brand | Model | Capacity | kWh/yr | Cost/yr | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liebherr | W5250 +1 variant | 13.1 | 114 | $21 | Amazon |
| Fisher & Paykel | RS2484V*2K1 | 13.3 | 118 | $21 | Amazon |
| Monogram | ZIW241NBW**** | 13.4 | 118 | $21 | Amazon |
| Fisher & Paykel | RS24SH*E* | 12.6 | 124 | $22 | Amazon |
| Fisher & Paykel | RS2474S3**# | 10.8 | 152 | $27 | Amazon |
| Liebherr | MW 2400 +2 variants | 11.3 | 170 | $31 | Amazon |
| Signature Kitchen Suite | SKSCW241** | 13.6 | 175 | $31 | Amazon |
| SKS | SKSCW241** | 13.6 | 175 | $31 | Amazon |
| Fhiaba | S240FW3U +1 variant | 12.3 | 177 | $32 | Amazon |
| JennAir | JBWFNL24RX +1 variant | 12.3 | 177 | $32 | Amazon |
Yearly cost from the official annual energy use and 17.99¢/kWh. Look up any model in the calculator with “Look up my exact model”. Source: ENERGY STAR, updated 2026-10-21. Amazon links search for the exact model; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How to cut the cost
- Turn off the ice maker when you don't need fresh ice; it can account for 12-20% of the fridge's energy.
- Use the door-in-door or through-door dispenser instead of opening the full doors.
- Keep the bottom freezer drawer full, using jugs of water if needed, to reduce cycling.
- Vacuum the condenser coils behind the bottom grille every 6 months.
- Disable "power cool" or "power freeze" modes once groceries are chilled.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
A two-door bottom-freezer of the same size without through-door ice usually uses 15-25% less energy.
See options on AmazonHelps you keep the fridge at 37°F instead of the colder factory settings some models ship with.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French door refrigerator | 170 | 630 kWh a year | $9.44 | $113 |
| Refrigerator | 150 | 500 kWh a year | $7.50 | $90 |
| Side-by-side refrigerator | 180 | 650 kWh a year | $9.74 | $117 |
| Old refrigerator | 250 | 1,000 kWh a year | $14.99 | $180 |
| Upright freezer | 150 | 450 kWh a year | $6.75 | $81 |
| Garage refrigerator | 200 | 800 kWh a year | $11.99 | $144 |
| Countertop ice maker | 130 | 8 hours a day | $4.93 | $59 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a french door refrigerator per hour?
A french door refrigerator is usually measured per year rather than per hour. It uses about 630 kWh a year, which works out to 31¢ a day.
How much does it cost to run a french door refrigerator per month?
At typical use (630 kWh a year), a french door refrigerator costs about $9.44 a month and $113 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 french door refrigerator use?
Most french door refrigerators use 120 to 280 watts. Starting surge can reach 900 W. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a french door refrigerator use?
About 1.72 kWh a day and 630 kWh a year at typical use (630 kWh a year).
Does a french door refrigerator use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 630 kWh a year is about 6% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a french door refrigerator or a refrigerator?
At typical use, a french door refrigerator costs about $113 a year versus $90 for a refrigerator. So the refrigerator is cheaper by about $23 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a french door refrigerator?
- Turn off the ice maker when you don't need fresh ice; it can account for 12-20% of the fridge's energy.
- Use the door-in-door or through-door dispenser instead of opening the full doors.
- Keep the bottom freezer drawer full, using jugs of water if needed, to reduce cycling.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.