⚡ WattWise
Kitchen appliance guide

How much does a refrigerator cost to run?

Refrigerators run all day, so even modest wattage can add up over a full month. WattWise makes it easy to turn that always-on power use into a real monthly and yearly estimate.

Start with a 180 watt baseline, then adjust for your own fridge, utility rate, and comparison shopping.

Open prefilled calculator Compare old vs. efficient fridge
  • Good for always-on appliance budgeting
  • Helpful when comparing replacement savings
  • Simple way to estimate annual running cost

Example estimate

180 W × 24 hours/day × $0.14/kWh

Hourly $0.03
Daily $0.60
Monthly $18.14

That comes to about $217.73 per year at the same usage level.

What changes the estimate

Older fridges can cost a lot more over time

Refrigerators run around the clock, so a higher-watt older model can quietly add extra monthly cost every day of the year. That makes them one of the clearest appliances to compare.

  • Older units: can draw meaningfully more power than newer efficient models.
  • 24-hour use: constant runtime compounds small wattage differences fast.
  • Electric rate: higher local rates increase the payoff from efficiency.
FAQ

Quick refrigerator questions

Should I enter 24 hours per day for a refrigerator?

For a simple estimate, yes. Refrigerators cycle on and off, but 24 hours per day is a practical way to capture always-on use in WattWise.

Why compare old and newer refrigerators?

Because small power differences run all day, every day, which can create a noticeable monthly and yearly cost gap.

Can I use my exact utility rate?

Yes. Enter the dollars-per-kWh figure from your bill to get a more realistic estimate for your home.