kitchen · 150W typical
Running a refrigerator costs about $5.88/month.
That's the typical refrigerator at 150W, run 24 hours a day at the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh. Change any of those and the number moves — use the calculator below to see yours.
Estimated cost
A refrigerator draws full power only while the thermostat/compressor is running — about 7.9 effective hours at 150W across your 24-hour window.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same refrigerator can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
always-on
$5.88
per month
runs continuously, compressor cycles about a third of the time
vacation mode
$5.88
per month
reduced cycling when door isn't being opened
Where you live
$10.66 spread between the cheapest and priciest states.
Same appliance, same hours of use, different zip code — the monthly cost varies this much.
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 41.2¢ | $14.68 | $178.65 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $11.19 | $136.16 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $10.98 | $133.55 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $10.23 | $124.45 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $9.94 | $120.98 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $8.77 | $106.67 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $8.66 | $105.37 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $7.95 | $96.70 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $7.88 | $95.83 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $7.66 | $93.23 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $6.88 | $83.69 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $6.81 | $82.82 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $6.56 | $79.79 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $6.45 | $78.49 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $6.34 | $77.18 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $6.20 | $75.45 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $6.13 | $74.58 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $6.02 | $73.28 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $5.92 | $71.98 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $5.81 | $70.68 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $5.63 | $68.51 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $5.60 | $68.08 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $5.56 | $67.64 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $5.49 | $66.78 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $5.42 | $65.91 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $5.42 | $65.91 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $5.38 | $65.48 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $5.27 | $64.18 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $5.27 | $64.18 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $5.24 | $63.74 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $5.24 | $63.74 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $5.20 | $63.31 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $5.06 | $61.57 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $5.03 | $61.14 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $4.95 | $60.27 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $4.85 | $58.97 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $4.78 | $58.11 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $4.74 | $57.67 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $4.70 | $57.24 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $4.67 | $56.80 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $4.67 | $56.80 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $4.53 | $55.07 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $4.42 | $53.77 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $4.35 | $52.90 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $4.31 | $52.47 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $4.31 | $52.47 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $4.24 | $51.60 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $4.13 | $50.30 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $4.10 | $49.87 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $4.06 | $49.43 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $4.03 | $49.00 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A -$47.70/year difference across the wattage range.
Swapping a high-draw model for an efficient one pays for itself. Here's what that looks like annually at typical usage.
Most efficient
500W
$19.60 per month
$238.49 per year
Typical
150W
$5.88 per month
$71.55 per year
High draw
400W
$15.68 per month
$190.79 per year
When it hits hardest
year-round peak
Slight summer spike from ambient heat load, but essentially constant.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Vacuum condenser coils every 6 months
Restores 10-15% efficiency on fridges over 3 years old
- 2
Keep freezer 70-80% full; use water jugs if underfilled
Thermal mass means fewer compressor starts
- 3
Set fridge to 37-40°F, freezer to 0°F (any colder is wasted energy)
Every degree below 37°F adds 2-4% to energy use
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Whirlpool | WRT518SZFM (18 cu ft) | 115W |
| LG | LRFXS2503S (25 cu ft) | 180W |
| Samsung | RF23A9071SR (23 cu ft) | 210W |
Picks that actually move the needle
Three products worth comparing if you're thinking about upgrading or supplementing what you have.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy, we may earn a small commission — it never changes the price you pay, and we only recommend picks we would stand behind.
See also
Related appliances
Sources: www.energystar.gov · www.energy.gov
Last updated: 2026-04-12