Refrigerator Electricity Usage: It’s a Trick Question

Normally, it’s easy to simply calculate kilowatt hours (kWh) used. To find kWh used, multiple the watt hours used (watts * number of hours used), then divide by 1000.

The wattage on modern refrigerators is anywhere from 300 to 800 watts of electricity, although actual usage can vary.

Assuming the typical 400 watt refrigerator, the cost comes down to $16 per month and $190 per year. For Texas residents, these numbers are a little lower: about $14 per month and $170 per year. (Based on average US and Texas electricity prices for August 2024.)

When tracking your energy consumption, understand that multiple factors are behind these figures:

• Your usage will depend on the efficiency of the model, the temperature of your home and where it’s located in your kitchen.
• Older-model refrigerators are less energy-efficient. Additionally, Energy Star-certified systems are nearly 10 percent more efficient than modern refrigerators without the Energy Star label.
• Size matters: The smaller the refrigerator, the less energy it consumes. In fact, a mini-fridge draws just 50 to 100 watts of power!