How much does it cost to run a garage refrigerator?
A garage refrigerator costs about 39¢ a day, $11.99 a month and $144 a year at typical use (800 kWh a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Garage fridges are often older units and work harder in hot garages; 700-1,200 kWh a year is common. A garage that hits 95°F can nearly double a fridge's summer use.
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Cost to run a garage refrigerator in every state
The same garage refrigerator costs $99 a year in North Dakota and $348 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | $8.21 | $99 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | $8.43 | $101 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | $8.57 | $103 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | $8.66 | $104 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | $8.88 | $107 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | $8.91 | $107 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | $8.95 | $107 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | $9.04 | $108 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | $9.13 | $110 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | $9.23 | $111 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | $9.28 | $111 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | $9.30 | $112 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $9.34 | $112 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | $9.41 | $113 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | $9.42 | $113 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | $9.47 | $114 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | $9.85 | $118 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | $9.85 | $118 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | $10.06 | $121 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | $10.08 | $121 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | $10.21 | $123 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | $10.26 | $123 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | $10.27 | $123 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | $10.32 | $124 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | $10.33 | $124 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | $10.43 | $125 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | $10.64 | $128 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | $10.81 | $130 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $10.96 | $132 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | $10.99 | $132 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | $11.05 | $133 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | $11.29 | $136 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | $11.86 | $142 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | $12.17 | $146 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | $12.49 | $150 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | $12.53 | $150 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | $13.80 | $166 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | $14.02 | $168 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | $14.03 | $168 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | $15.85 | $190 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | $15.87 | $190 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | $16.13 | $194 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | $17.78 | $213 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | $17.90 | $215 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | $18.66 | $224 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | $18.93 | $227 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | $19.51 | $234 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | $19.54 | $234 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $20.29 | $243 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $21.99 | $264 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $29.01 | $348 |
How to cut the cost
- Only keep it running in seasons you need it; unplugging it for 6 months saves 300-500 kWh.
- Shade it from direct sun and keep it on an interior wall, away from the water heater.
- Use a "garage ready" model rated for 38-110°F; regular fridges can stop keeping the freezer cold below 50°F.
- Consolidate items into your kitchen fridge before holidays end and unplug the spare.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Built to operate efficiently in 38-110°F garages, and new units use roughly half of a 15-year-old fridge.
See options on AmazonIf you mainly store frozen food, a chest freezer uses about a third of what an old garage fridge-freezer does.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garage refrigerator | 200 | 800 kWh a year | $11.99 | $144 |
| Old refrigerator | 250 | 1,000 kWh a year | $14.99 | $180 |
| Refrigerator | 150 | 500 kWh a year | $7.50 | $90 |
| Chest freezer | 100 | 250 kWh a year | $3.75 | $45 |
| Beverage cooler | 100 | 350 kWh a year | $5.25 | $63 |
| Side-by-side refrigerator | 180 | 650 kWh a year | $9.74 | $117 |
| French door refrigerator | 170 | 630 kWh a year | $9.44 | $113 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a garage refrigerator per hour?
A garage refrigerator is usually measured per year rather than per hour. It uses about 800 kWh a year, which works out to 39¢ a day.
How much does it cost to run a garage refrigerator per month?
At typical use (800 kWh a year), a garage refrigerator costs about $11.99 a month and $144 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 garage refrigerator use?
Most garage refrigerators use 130 to 350 watts. Starting surge can reach 1,000 W. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a garage refrigerator use?
About 2.19 kWh a day and 800 kWh a year at typical use (800 kWh a year).
Does a garage refrigerator use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 800 kWh a year is about 8% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a garage refrigerator or an old refrigerator?
At typical use, a garage refrigerator costs about $144 a year versus $180 for an old refrigerator. So the garage refrigerator is cheaper by about $36 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a garage refrigerator?
- Only keep it running in seasons you need it; unplugging it for 6 months saves 300-500 kWh.
- Shade it from direct sun and keep it on an interior wall, away from the water heater.
- Use a "garage ready" model rated for 38-110°F; regular fridges can stop keeping the freezer cold below 50°F.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.