Refrigerator Energy Cost Calculator
Estimate daily, monthly, and annual refrigerator electricity cost from wattage, compressor duty cycle, and electricity rate.
W
%
Share of time the compressor is actively running (default ~35%)
$
/kWh
Estimated Cost
Daily
$0.20
Monthly
$6.05
Annual
$73.58
How to Use the Refrigerator Energy Cost Calculator
Enter your refrigerator's rated wattage, its duty cycle percentage, and your electricity rate. A refrigerator's compressor cycles on and off to maintain temperature rather than running continuously, so its actual average power draw over a day is well below its rated wattage. The duty cycle percentage represents the share of time the compressor is actually running — around 30-40% is a common default estimate, adjustable if you know your model's actual figure.
Cost = Daily kWh × Electricity Rate
Example
A 150W refrigerator running at a 35% duty cycle uses about 1.26 kWh per day (0.15 × 24 × 0.35). At $0.16 per kWh, that's roughly $0.20 per day, $6.05 per month, and $73.58 per year.
Common Use Cases
- Estimating the ongoing electricity cost of running a refrigerator or freezer.
- Comparing the running cost of an old refrigerator against a newer, more efficient model.
- Budgeting monthly or annual utility costs for a household or rental unit.
FAQs
- How is this different from the Refrigerator Size Calculator? The Refrigerator Size Calculator recommends a capacity in cubic feet based on your household size — it's about how big a fridge you need. This tool instead estimates the ongoing electricity cost of running a refrigerator you already have (or are considering), based on its wattage and duty cycle.
- Why isn't the refrigerator running at full wattage all the time? The rated wattage on a refrigerator's label reflects peak draw when the compressor is actively running, not a continuous draw. Once the interior reaches its target temperature, the compressor shuts off until temperature rises again, so actual average power use is much lower than the rated wattage over a full day.
- Where can I find my refrigerator's actual duty cycle? It's rarely listed directly — the default of 30-40% used here is a reasonable estimate for a typical household refrigerator. For a more precise figure, a plug-in electricity usage monitor over a few days will give you your specific unit's real-world average.