How much does it cost to run an old refrigerator?
An old refrigerator costs about 49¢ a day, $14.99 a month and $180 a year at typical use (1,000 kWh a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Refrigerators built before about 2001 (pre-federal 2001 standard) commonly use 900-1,400 kWh a year, roughly double a new ENERGY STAR model, and worn gaskets push that higher.
Calculate your cost
Add as many devices as you like to compare them side by side. Search again to add another, or use Duplicate to compare two settings.
Cost to run an old refrigerator in every state
The same old refrigerator costs $123 a year in North Dakota and $435 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | $10.27 | $123 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | $10.54 | $127 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | $10.72 | $129 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | $10.83 | $130 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | $11.10 | $133 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | $11.13 | $134 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | $11.19 | $134 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | $11.30 | $136 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | $11.42 | $137 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | $11.53 | $138 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | $11.60 | $139 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | $11.62 | $139 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $11.67 | $140 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | $11.77 | $141 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | $11.78 | $141 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | $11.83 | $142 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | $12.31 | $148 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | $12.31 | $148 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | $12.57 | $151 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | $12.60 | $151 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | $12.77 | $153 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | $12.82 | $154 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | $12.83 | $154 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | $12.90 | $155 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | $12.92 | $155 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | $13.03 | $156 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | $13.30 | $160 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | $13.52 | $162 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $13.70 | $164 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | $13.73 | $165 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | $13.82 | $166 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | $14.12 | $169 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | $14.82 | $178 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | $15.21 | $183 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | $15.62 | $187 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | $15.66 | $188 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | $17.25 | $207 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | $17.52 | $210 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | $17.54 | $211 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | $19.82 | $238 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | $19.83 | $238 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | $20.17 | $242 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | $22.22 | $267 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | $22.38 | $269 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | $23.32 | $280 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | $23.66 | $284 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | $24.39 | $293 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | $24.42 | $293 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $25.36 | $304 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $27.49 | $330 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $36.26 | $435 |
Most efficient old 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
- Measure actual use with a plug-in kWh meter for 48 hours; multiply by 182 for the annual figure.
- If it is a second fridge holding a few drinks, unplug it; that alone often saves 800-1,200 kWh a year.
- Replace cracked or flattened door gaskets; leaky seals are common on 15+ year old units.
- Check your utility for a fridge recycling bounty; many pay $35-75 to haul away a working old fridge.
- Clean the condenser coils; older units with back-mounted coils collect heavy dust.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
A new ENERGY STAR top-freezer uses about 350-450 kWh a year, often half or less of a 20-year-old fridge.
See options on AmazonMeasures exactly what your old fridge uses so you can see the payback of replacing it.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old refrigerator | 250 | 1,000 kWh a year | $14.99 | $180 |
| Refrigerator | 150 | 500 kWh a year | $7.50 | $90 |
| Garage refrigerator | 200 | 800 kWh a year | $11.99 | $144 |
| Chest freezer | 100 | 250 kWh a year | $3.75 | $45 |
| Mini fridge | 80 | 270 kWh a year | $4.05 | $49 |
| 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 an old refrigerator per hour?
An old refrigerator is usually measured per year rather than per hour. It uses about 1,000 kWh a year, which works out to 49¢ a day.
How much does it cost to run an old refrigerator per month?
At typical use (1,000 kWh a year), an old refrigerator costs about $14.99 a month and $180 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does an old refrigerator use?
Most old refrigerators use 180 to 400 watts. Starting surge can reach 1,200 W. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an old refrigerator use?
About 2.74 kWh a day and 1,000 kWh a year at typical use (1,000 kWh a year).
Does an old refrigerator use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 1,000 kWh a year is about 10% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run an old refrigerator or a refrigerator?
At typical use, an old refrigerator costs about $180 a year versus $90 for a refrigerator. So the refrigerator is cheaper by about $90 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an old refrigerator?
- Measure actual use with a plug-in kWh meter for 48 hours; multiply by 182 for the annual figure.
- If it is a second fridge holding a few drinks, unplug it; that alone often saves 800-1,200 kWh a year.
- Replace cracked or flattened door gaskets; leaky seals are common on 15+ year old units.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.