How much does it cost to run a refrigerator?
A refrigerator costs about 25¢ a day, $7.50 a month and $90 a year at typical use (500 kWh a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. A modern 18-22 cu ft top- or bottom-freezer refrigerator uses about 400-550 kWh a year; larger 25+ cu ft and through-door ice models run 600-750 kWh. The compressor cycles on roughly a third of the time.
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Cost to run a refrigerator in every state
The same refrigerator costs $62 a year in North Dakota and $218 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | $5.13 | $62 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | $5.27 | $63 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | $5.36 | $64 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | $5.41 | $65 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | $5.55 | $67 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | $5.57 | $67 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | $5.60 | $67 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | $5.65 | $68 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | $5.71 | $68 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | $5.77 | $69 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | $5.80 | $70 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | $5.81 | $70 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $5.84 | $70 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | $5.88 | $71 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | $5.89 | $71 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | $5.92 | $71 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | $6.15 | $74 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | $6.15 | $74 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | $6.29 | $75 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | $6.30 | $76 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | $6.38 | $77 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | $6.41 | $77 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | $6.42 | $77 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | $6.45 | $77 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | $6.46 | $78 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | $6.52 | $78 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | $6.65 | $80 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | $6.76 | $81 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $6.85 | $82 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | $6.87 | $82 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | $6.91 | $83 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | $7.06 | $85 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | $7.41 | $89 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | $7.60 | $91 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | $7.81 | $94 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | $7.83 | $94 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | $8.62 | $104 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | $8.76 | $105 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | $8.77 | $105 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | $9.91 | $119 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | $9.92 | $119 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | $10.08 | $121 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | $11.11 | $133 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | $11.19 | $134 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | $11.66 | $140 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | $11.83 | $142 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | $12.20 | $146 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | $12.21 | $147 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $12.68 | $152 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $13.75 | $165 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $18.13 | $218 |
Most efficient 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
- Set the fresh-food section to 37-38°F and the freezer to 0°F; each degree colder adds about 2-4% to energy use.
- Vacuum the condenser coils (behind the kick plate or on the back) every 6-12 months; dusty coils can raise use 10-25%.
- Check door gaskets by closing the door on a dollar bill; if it slides out easily, replace the gasket.
- Leave 1-2 inches of space behind and above the fridge so the condenser can shed heat.
- Turn off the anti-sweat/humidity heater ("energy saver" switch) if your kitchen is not humid.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Top-freezer models with no through-door ice dispenser use 10-25% less energy than side-by-side or French door units of the same size.
See options on AmazonLets you set the fridge to exactly 37°F and freezer to 0°F instead of running colder than needed.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 150 | 500 kWh a year | $7.50 | $90 |
| Side-by-side refrigerator | 180 | 650 kWh a year | $9.74 | $117 |
| French door refrigerator | 170 | 630 kWh a year | $9.44 | $113 |
| Old refrigerator | 250 | 1,000 kWh a year | $14.99 | $180 |
| Chest freezer | 100 | 250 kWh a year | $3.75 | $45 |
| Mini fridge | 80 | 270 kWh a year | $4.05 | $49 |
| Upright freezer | 150 | 450 kWh a year | $6.75 | $81 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a refrigerator per hour?
A refrigerator is usually measured per year rather than per hour. It uses about 500 kWh a year, which works out to 25¢ a day.
How much does it cost to run a refrigerator per month?
At typical use (500 kWh a year), a refrigerator costs about $7.50 a month and $90 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 refrigerator use?
Most refrigerators use 100 to 250 watts. Starting surge can reach 800 W. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a refrigerator use?
About 1.37 kWh a day and 500 kWh a year at typical use (500 kWh a year).
Does a refrigerator use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 500 kWh a year is about 5% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a refrigerator or a side-by-side refrigerator?
At typical use, a refrigerator costs about $90 a year versus $117 for a side-by-side refrigerator. So the refrigerator is cheaper by about $27 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a refrigerator?
- Set the fresh-food section to 37-38°F and the freezer to 0°F; each degree colder adds about 2-4% to energy use.
- Vacuum the condenser coils (behind the kick plate or on the back) every 6-12 months; dusty coils can raise use 10-25%.
- Check door gaskets by closing the door on a dollar bill; if it slides out easily, replace the gasket.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.