How Much Electricity Does a Mini Refrigerator Use?
- A 3.1-4.1 cubic foot Energy Star Certified mini fridge uses an average of 250-300 kilowatt-hours per year, costing about $28.00-$36.00 to run.
- The cost to run a mini fridge or compact refrigerator is based on the national average, so your actual costs will be higher or lower based on the cost of electricity in your area.
- Older models and models that are not Energy Star certified may be substantially more costly to run.
To better understand the energy consumed, consider that running a compact refrigerator is about the cost of running a standard light bulb. For reference, a computer and monitor use 394 kWh per year or $43.34.
Sample Models with Kilowatt Usage:
- Frigidaire 3.3 cubic foot (model#: BFPH33M4LM) 267kWh/$29
- Frigidaire 3.1 cubic foot (model#: BFPH31M6LM) 337kWh/$36
- Frigidaire 4.4 cubic foot (model#: BFPH44M4LM) 274kWh/$30
- Frigidaire 4.5 cubic foot (model#: BFPH45F4LM) 259kWh/$28
Factors That Crank Up the Bill
Like most appliances, a refrigerator does not run 24 hours a day, so it does not expend energy 24 hours per day. Efficiency Vermont estimates that the refrigerator actually runs 730 hours per year or a total of two hours per day. [Energy Vermont] If it runs more than that, then it follows that it will cost more to run. To make your compact refrigerator run more efficiently, allow it plenty of space to keep cool. For example, under-the-counter models wedged in between cabinets will expend more energy than a unit free from surroundings. Also, keep your refrigerator away from things that heat up, such as the dishwasher, which will cause the unit to run more often.
To calculate an appliance’s energy usage:
Formula:
[(Wattage × Hours Used Per Day) ÷ 1000] x 365 = Daily Kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption
Example: 100 Watt Standard Light bulb
Multiply the watts drawn by the light bulb by the number of hours used per day.
100 watts x 6 hours per day=600 watts per day
Divide the number of watts per day by 1,000 to convert to kilowatts.
600 watts per day=.6 kWh per day
Multiply the kilowatts per day by 365 to calculate yearly usage.
.6 x 365= 219kWh per year
Multiply the kilowatt hours per year by the cost of electricity in your area.
219 kWh x .11 kWh = $24.09
Cost of energy based on the US Department of Energy’s estimated national average cost of energy.
Why Energy Star?
If you have a compact refrigerator that is not Energy Star certified, you can expect your electricity consumption to be 15-20% higher. ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators are 15% more efficient than non-qualified models and are 20% more efficient than models that simply meet the federal minimum standard for energy efficiency. [Energy Star]
Be Wary
Though Energy Star tests models and then certifies them with a sticker that clearly denotes how much electricity the unit uses per year with an average cost base, Consumer Reports has tested some models and found that a few were significantly higher in cost to run. In fact, some models tested cost $50-$80 per year in electricity. That’s actually more than some energy-efficient full-size refrigerators. [Consumer Reports]
Resources
Energy Star – www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/manuf_res/downloads/2007Refrigerator_prg.pdf
Efficiency Vermont – Electric Usage Chart -Refrigerators
Energy.gov – Estimating Appliance and Home Energy Use Charges
