A refrigerator runs 24 hours a day, so its yearly electricity cost is easy to underestimate. This guide applies the EIA national electricity price to illustrative annual kWh figures and points you to the EnergyGuide label for a real refrigerator number. It is based on published data, not hands-on testing.
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Quick Answer: Refrigerator Running Cost
- Annual cost = kWh per year on the EnergyGuide label × 18.16¢ (EIA, August 2026).
- A refrigerator using 500 kWh a year costs about $91 a year.
- Older units can cost noticeably more than a new ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator.
- Check the label on the exact model you are considering.
📊 The number that matters
At 18.16¢ per kWh, each 100 kWh a year costs about $18.16 to run.
What a Refrigerator Costs per Year
The kWh figures are illustrative round numbers, not measurements of a specific model.
Annual electricity cost at 18.16¢/kWh (EIA, August 2026). kWh figures are illustrative.
What Affects the Cost
Age, size, ice and water dispensers, door openings, ambient temperature and a worn door seal all change how long the compressor runs. Keep coils clean, leave space around the unit and avoid overfilling.
When to Replace It
Compare your old fridge’s estimated yearly use (or a plug-in meter reading) with the label figure on a new ENERGY STAR model, then multiply the difference by 18.16¢. See our guides to mini fridge costs and chest versus upright freezers.
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For more detail, see our guides to mini fridge electricity costs and chest versus upright freezer running costs.
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FAQ
How much does a refrigerator cost to run per month?
Divide the yearly cost by 12. At 500 kWh a year it is about $7.57 a month.
Are new refrigerators cheaper to run?
Generally yes: newer ENERGY STAR certified models use less electricity than older ones.
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly (August 2026 residential average, 18.16¢/kWh). EnergyGuide label program (FTC); ENERGY STAR. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.