How Much Does It Cost to Run a Refrigerator?

A refrigerator is one of the most essential and frequently used appliances in your home. It keeps your food fresh and safe, and provides you with cold drinks and ice. But how much does it cost to run a refrigerator? And how can you reduce your refrigerator electricity usage and save money on your energy bills? Here’s what you need to know.

The cost of running a refrigerator depends on several factors, such as the size, type, model, age, efficiency, and usage of the fridge, as well as the electricity rate in your area. On average, a refrigerator can use between 100 to 400 kWh of electricity per year, which can cost you between $12 to $50 per year at a national average rate of 12 cents per kWh.

How to Calculate the Cost of Running a Refrigerator

To calculate the cost of running a refrigerator, you need to know three things: the power consumption of the fridge in watts, the electricity rate in your area in cents per kWh, and the number of hours the fridge runs per day.

The power consumption of the fridge in watts can be found on the Energy Guide label that comes with the fridge or on the manufacturer’s website. Alternatively, you can use a watt meter or a smart plug to measure the actual power consumption of your fridge.

The electricity rate in your area can be found on your electricity bill or on your electricity supplier’s website. The national average electricity rate is 12 cents per kWh, but it can vary significantly depending on where you live and when you use electricity.

The number of hours the fridge runs per day depends on how often you open and close the door, how full the fridge is, how cold you set the temperature, and how hot or cold the surrounding environment is. A typical fridge runs for about 8 hours per day, but this can vary from 4 to 16 hours per day.

To calculate the cost of running a refrigerator per year, use this formula:

Cost per year = Power consumption (in watts) x Electricity rate (in cents per kWh) x Number of hours per day x Number of days per year / 1000

For example, if you have a fridge that consumes 150 watts of power, and you pay 12 cents per kWh for electricity, and your fridge runs for 8 hours per day, then your cost per year is:

Cost per year = 150 x 0.12 x 8 x 365 / 1000 Cost per year = $52.56

How to Reduce the Cost of Running a Refrigerator

There are several ways you can reduce the cost of running a refrigerator and save money on your energy bills. Here are some tips:

• Choose an energy-efficient refrigerator: If you are buying a new fridge or replacing an old one, look for an Energy Star certified model that meets or exceeds the federal energy efficiency standards. Energy Star refrigerators can use up to 40% less energy than conventional models and save you up to $300 over their lifetime.
• Adjust the temperature settings: The ideal temperature settings for your fridge and freezer are 37°F and 0°F respectively. Setting them too cold or too warm can waste energy and spoil your food. Check the temperature regularly with a thermometer and adjust it as needed.
• Keep the door closed: Every time you open and close the door of your fridge, cold air escapes and warm air enters. This makes the fridge work harder and use more energy to maintain the temperature. Try to minimize the number of times you open and close the door and keep it closed as much as possible.
• Keep the fridge full but not too full: A full fridge retains cold air better than an empty one because food acts as insulation. However, don’t overfill your fridge because that can block the airflow and reduce the cooling efficiency. Leave some space between items and shelves to allow proper circulation of cold air.
• Clean the coils: The coils at the back or bottom of your fridge are responsible for releasing heat from the refrigerant. If they are dirty or dusty, they can’t do their job effectively and make your fridge work harder and use more energy. Clean them at least once or twice a year with a vacuum cleaner or a brush.
• Defrost regularly: If your fridge is not frost-free, ice can build up on the freezer walls and reduce its cooling capacity. This can make your fridge run longer and use more energy. Defrost your freezer regularly by unplugging it and letting the ice melt. Wipe it dry before plugging it back in.

Conclusion

Running a refrigerator can cost you between $12 to $50 per year on average, depending on its power consumption, electricity rate, and usage. You can reduce this cost by choosing an energy-efficient model, adjusting the temperature settings, keeping the door closed, keeping the fridge full but not too full, cleaning the coils, and defrosting regularly. By following these tips, you can save money on your energy bills and extend the lifespan of your fridge.