How much does it cost to run a refrigerator?

A refrigerator certified by ENERGY STAR costs about $8 to $149 a year to run at the US average residential electricity rate of $0.1856/kWh, based on 1,000 models we track. The class median is $64/yr. The cheapest to run is the Fisher & Paykel RS2435V2* at about $8/yr, while the priciest models in the class run closer to $149/yr. Running cost in this class is driven mostly by compressor technology, insulation, and interior volume, covered in detail below.

What it costs

Across the 1,000 ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator models we track, annual running cost ranges from $8/yr to $149/yr, with a class median of $64/yr, all computed at the US average residential rate of $0.1856/kWh. That is a spread of $141 a year between the cheapest and priciest model we track, which over a typical decade-long appliance life is $1410 of difference before the purchase price even enters the math.

What drives the running cost

Refrigerators run every hour of every day, so small differences in design compound over a year. Four things move the needle most:

• Interior volume. A larger fridge has more interior air to keep cold and usually a bigger compressor, so running cost tends to rise with cubic feet, even among efficient models.
• Type and door style. Counter-depth, French-door, and side-by-side models typically carry more door seals, dispensers, and glass surface than a simple top-freezer design, which can add load. Built-in models often run less efficiently than freestanding ones because they have less room to vent heat.
• Age of the compressor technology. Newer compressors, especially variable-speed (inverter) compressors, modulate output instead of cycling fully on and off, which tends to use less energy for the same cooling job.
• Placement and ventilation. A fridge pushed tight against a wall or cabinet, or standing next to an oven or in direct sun, works harder to shed the heat its compressor produces.

How to lower it

• Keep the door seals clean and check they close fully; a weak seal lets cold air escape continuously.
• Leave a few inches of clearance around the back and top for airflow, and keep the condenser coils free of dust.
• Set the fridge to the manufacturer's recommended temperature (usually around 37 degrees F) rather than colder than needed.
• Let hot food cool before it goes in, and keep the fridge reasonably full (but not packed) so cold air is not spent re-chilling every time the door opens.

The cheapest refrigerator to run

These are the five cheapest refrigerator models to run among the ones we track, ranked by estimated dollars per year. See the full leaderboard for all 150 ranked.

Calculate your own

These figures assume the US average electricity rate. If your local rate is higher or lower, or you want to check a specific model's real annual kWh, use the running-cost calculator to swap in your own rate and see the yearly cost update live.