How much does a refrigerator cost per month?

What changes the cost of a refrigerator?

The quick answer is power multiplied by time and your electricity rate—but the right input depends on the appliance. Wattwise starts this calculator with a representative estimate, not a manufacturer-specific claim. Replace defaults with measured, label, or bill values wherever possible.

• Official annual kWh label
• Capacity, door type and freezer layout
• Ambient temperature and ventilation
• Age, door seals and frost buildup
• Number of refrigerators

Example refrigerator running costs

These examples use Australia usage rate and the typical schedule shown in the calculator. Electricity tariffs vary by provider, tier, time, tax, and subsidy, so replace the rate with the value on your bill.

Ways to reduce this appliance’s electricity cost

Savings depend on comfort, safety, usage, and the equipment you already own. Model a change before buying a replacement, and verify high-cost appliances with a meter or label value.

1. Use the annual kWh label when available instead of rated watts.
2. Leave ventilation space around the condenser.
3. Measure an older second fridge before deciding to keep it.

How Wattwise calculated this estimate

For the default inputs, Wattwise estimates $4.50 per month and 22.5 kWh at the global reference rate. The active formula is: official or entered annual kWh × quantity.

The displayed range widens when power, duty cycle, weather, or tariff data are estimates. It narrows when you provide measured energy, an official annual kWh value, or a per-cycle energy label. Fixed charges are not allocated to one appliance unless you explicitly create a household bill allocation.