Kitchen Appliances
A refrigerator averaging 180 watts for 8 active hours costs about $0.24 per day at $0.17 per kWh.
Quick estimate
This uses 180 watts, 8 hours per day, and an electricity rate of $0.17 per kWh.
Refrigerators cycle on and off, so the active compressor hours are usually lower than 24 hours per day.
Many refrigerator units fall around 180 watts, with a rough range of 100 to 800 watts. Check the product label, user manual, or manufacturer specifications for the most accurate number.
| Estimate | Watts | Hours per day | Daily cost | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low estimate | 100W | 4 | $0.07 | $2.04 |
| Typical use | 180W | 8 | $0.24 | $7.34 |
| High estimate | 800W | 12 | $1.63 | $48.96 |
Convert watts to kilowatts, multiply by the number of hours used, then multiply by your electricity rate.
Cost = Watts / 1000 x Hours Used x Electricity RateFor this refrigerator example: 180 / 1000 x 8 x 0.17 = $0.24 per day.
These details make this estimate more useful for real-world use.
A refrigerator is plugged in all day, but the compressor cycles instead of running constantly. For that reason, estimating active compressor hours is usually more useful than entering 24 hours at the nameplate wattage.
Older units, warm rooms, blocked airflow, damaged door seals, frequent door openings, and very cold settings can all increase runtime. A second garage refrigerator may also cost more in summer because the surrounding air is warmer.
Keep door openings short, leave airflow space behind the fridge, and check worn door gaskets.
The easiest way to improve the estimate is to replace the default values with your actual wattage, average runtime, and local electricity rate.
Wattage ranges are practical planning estimates for common household appliances. Actual use can differ by model, age, settings, room conditions, and maintenance.
A refrigerator averaging 180 watts for 8 active hours costs about $0.24 per day at $0.17 per kWh.
Use the wattage printed on the appliance label when possible. As a starting estimate, this page uses 180 watts and shows a common range of 100 to 800 watts.
Electricity bills include many appliances, fees, taxes, seasonal changes, and utility rate structures. This calculator estimates appliance energy cost only.
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