Refrigerators are one of the most energy intensive devices in your home, after your dryer, washing machine, and air conditioner. By some estimates, it’s responsible for seven percent of household power consumption. Budget conscious homeowners should know how many watts their refrigerator uses, so they can understand how it impacts their electric bill and what they can do to lower costs.
How to Calculate Power Usage
Modern refrigerators come with an EnergyGuide label that estimates yearly operating costs. Keep in mind that the figures are based on the average electricity rate nationwide. Rates vary considerably from state to state (electricity is over three times more expensive in Hawaii than in Louisiana, for example), so the actual cost may be higher or lower depending on where you live.
If you don’t have access to the EnergyGuide, try looking it up online with the make and model number of your refrigerator. To work out energy usage on your own, examine the voltage-current rating sticker inside the door. If you can’t find it, check the back panel instead. It lists the unit’s voltage and amperage.
Voltage measures the difference in electric potential energy between two points in a circuit. Put simply, it’s the force pushing electrons through the system, the way pressure pushes water through your pipes. Amperage measures electrical current, the number of electrons moving through a circuit at any given moment.
Multiplying volts and amps tells you how many watts of electricity your refrigerator consumes when operating at full capacity. Refrigerators rarely operate at full capacity for very long, however. Instead, they operate in cooling cycles, so the compressor, which is responsible for the majority of refrigerator energy consumption, is only active around thirty percent of the time. To estimate your refrigerator’s true electricity usage, divide its maximum wattage by three to get its running watts. The average refrigerator has a maximum wattage of 350-780 and a running wattage of 116-260.
How to Calculate Electricity Costs
Refrigerator power consumption is charged according to the number of kilowatt hours your fridge uses. A kilowatt hour is the amount of electricity required to run a 1,000 watt device for sixty minutes. It takes a ten-watt light bulb 100 hours to consume one kWh, while a 2,000-watt generator will consume a kWh in thirty minutes.
To calculate kWh, start with the running wattage of your refrigerator. For example, a home refrigerator that consumes 4 amps at 120 volts goes through around 160 watts per hour (4 x 120÷3=160). Then multiply by 24 and divide by 1,000. That’s how many kWh your fridge consumes per day.
Running Wattage x 24 ÷ 1,000 = Daily kWh
Check your local power supplier to discover how much they charge per kWh. Electricity rates vary according to region. Hawaii charges 42 cents per kWh, New York charges 24.5, while Louisiana charges only eleven. Once you know how much you’re paying, calculating your monthly costs and yearly costs is simple.
Fridge Power Consumption
Refrigerators run twenty-four hours a day. Though they’re entirely self-contained, there are several factors that affect their energy use.
- Size. Large refrigerators have greater energy needs than small ones.
- Temperature Settings. Maintaining an excessively low temperature requires more power.
- Maintenance. Like every other appliance, refrigerators require regular service in order to run efficiently.
- Usage. Opening the door releases the cold air inside, so repeatedly taking items out forces your refrigerator to work harder.
- Surroundings. Placing your refrigerator near a prominent heat source, such as an oven or dishwasher, increases its cooling cycles. Similarly, homeowners in warmer climates can also expect higher energy bills.
How to Keep Your Refrigerator Energy-Efficient
Homeowners interested in energy savings should follow these tips to help their refrigerator run as efficiently as possible.
- Replace Your Old Refrigerator. As refrigerators wear down, their energy efficiency starts to decline. Swapping them out for a newer model is a good way to save money long-term. Look for a refrigerator with the EnergyStar certification, as they consume significantly less energy than regular models.
- Select a Good Location. Always place your refrigerator out of direct sunlight and at least three feet from a heat source, such as an oven. To ensure adequate ventilation, position it at least 1-2 inches from the wall. Otherwise, the heat from the condenser will interfere with the refrigeration system.
- Select the Right Temperature. Experts recommend keeping your refrigerator at 37°F and your freezer at 0°F. Lowering the temperature any further increases energy costs without preserving your food any better.
- Clean the Condenser Coils. Dust, dirt, and grime on refrigerator coils prevents them from dissipating the heat from inside your refrigerator.
- Defrost Your Refrigerator. Ice acts as an insulator, making it more difficult for your compressor to maintain a consistent temperature.
- Check Door Seals. Loose or cracked seals allow cold air to escape, which leads to an increase in cooling cycles.
Personal habits also have a significant impact. To avoid standing in front of an open refrigerator, keep its contents organized, so you don’t have to spend time rooting around for what you need. Try to think of what you want before opening the door. Then you can grab everything all at once, rather than making several trips.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how many watts a refrigerator uses helps you manage power consumption in your home. Homeowners who are mindful of their refrigerator’s condition, as well as their personal habits, make smart choices that lead to greater savings. Contact Agway Energy Services today for reliable electricity supply with repair protection on your interior electric lines and central air conditioning from EnergyGuard™.
