Updated October 23, 2026 · Example energy figures are not model specifications
A refrigerator stays plugged in all day, but it does not draw its maximum power continuously. That makes annual energy use or a representative kWh measurement more useful than multiplying a nameplate wattage by 24 hours.
Start with annual kWh
Find the estimated annual energy use on the EnergyGuide label or model documentation. The FTC explains that the label’s dollar estimate uses standard assumptions and an energy price that may differ from yours. Use its kWh figure with your own applicable rate for a personalized estimate.
Average monthly cost = annual electricity cost ÷ 12
Compare the same refrigerator at different prices
Here is the arithmetic for a chosen 600-kWh annual estimate. This is not a claim that 600 kWh is typical for every refrigerator.
| Electricity rate | Annual energy cost | Monthly average |
|---|---|---|
| 12¢/kWh | $72 | $6 |
| 16¢/kWh | $96 | $8 |
| 24¢/kWh | $144 | $12 |
The same equipment can therefore have a different operating cost in a different household. An energy label’s published dollar estimate is not a bill guarantee.
What if you have measured kWh?
Suppose a suitable monitor records 10 kWh over seven representative days. Average use is about 1.43 kWh per day. At 16¢ per kWh, a 30-day projection is about $6.86. Avoid rounding the daily energy before completing the calculation.
For comparison with our appliance calculator, that seven-day measurement corresponds to an average of about 59.52 watts over all 24 hours. Choose one method consistently; do not apply that averaged wattage only to compressor runtime, which would undercount use.
Make the observation representative
A short reading can miss defrost cycles or unusual use. Record the measurement dates and normal household conditions, and follow the monitor’s instructions and electrical rating. A single instantaneous watt reading is not an annual energy estimate.
Temperature settings, room conditions, door openings, and equipment condition can affect consumption. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions rather than changing food-storage conditions to chase a lower number.
Does replacement pay for itself?
Compare annual energy use before comparing purchase prices. If two hypothetical options differ by 200 kWh per year, the annual electricity difference at 16¢ is $32. Paying $320 more for the lower-energy option would have a ten-year simple payback, ignoring maintenance, financing, and future rate changes.
That calculation does not determine whether to replace a working refrigerator. Reliability, repair costs, capacity, and purchase timing also matter. ENERGY STAR’s model information can help you compare equipment, but certification is not a household-specific savings guarantee.
What this cost includes
These calculations estimate electricity associated with the appliance. They exclude fixed utility charges, delivery or installation costs, and purchase price. Using an overall bill-average rate can allocate fixed costs to the appliance, so understand which rate you are using.
Sources checked October 23, 2026: FTC: Using the EnergyGuide label; ENERGY STAR refrigerator information. Examples are RegionalRates calculations. Find the applicable electricity rate.