At a Glance:
How Many Watts Does a Refrigerator Use?
How to Reduce Power Usage in Your Refrigerator
Top Energy-Efficient Refrigerator Models
Running a home is expensive. Between your heating and air conditioning, home electronics, and appliances, your utility bills might be higher than you expect during peak months. You aren’t alone. According to a survey by LendingTree, 32.3% of Americans cut back on expenses to cover their utility bills this past year, while 21.2% say they are unable to pay these bills fully.
There are several ways to lower your energy bills, ranging from improving your insulation to keeping your blinds closed in the summer. One contributor to your bills could be your refrigerator power consumption. Discover the answer to, “how many watts does a refrigerator use,” and identify ways to consume less energy while keeping your food cold.
Explore Energy Efficient Dishwashers
If you want to save money on your energy bill, consider purchasing an energy-efficient refrigerator. You can keep your food fresh while reducing your monthly expenses.
Energy Efficient RefrigeratorsHow Many Watts Does a Refrigerator Use?
The first step to understanding the impact your refrigerator has on your utility bill is to ask, “how many watts does a refrigerator use.” This actually depends on the appliance model that you have. Most refrigerators use between 300 to 800 watts of electricity. Larger refrigerators and less efficient models will use more wattage. This doesn’t mean every large refrigerator is inefficient. There are many Energy Star-certified models that have large storage capacities but low refrigerator wattage.
For many homeowners, it helps to think of refrigerator wattage and power usage in terms of dollars. On average, it costs around $20 per month to run your refrigerator – or $240 per year. The average electric bill in the United States is $142.73 ($146.63 in Arizona), which means at $20 per month, your refrigerator makes up around 14% of your total bill.
How to Reduce Power Usage in Your Refrigerator
While you can’t change your refrigerator wattage, you might be able to adjust certain behaviors to lower your overall power usage. Here are a few good habits to get into if you want to lower your refrigerator electric consumption.
- Know what you want before you open the door. Opening your appliance lets the cold air out. If you stand in front of the refrigerator to think about what you want to eat, you could waste electricity. Instead, decide what you want before the door opens.
- Don’t forget to close it. Similarly, forgetting to shut the door all the way can cause cold air to leak out. Make sure you and your family firmly close it each time.
- Set the right temperature. You don’t necessarily need to keep your refrigerator and freezer on their coldest settings. Raising the temperature a few degrees could positively impact your electric bill.
- Keep up with maintenance. Older refrigerators will use more energy because their motors are starting to wear out – which means they have to work harder. Keep your refrigerator running at its best or look for newer models that are more efficient.
While these are good habits to develop to reduce your refrigerator’s energy consumption, know that these steps might not have the biggest impact on your electric bill. For example, while your refrigerator can make up 14% of your electric bill on average, air conditioning and heating can make up more than 40% of your costs. In hot Arizona summers, every degree setting below 78°F drives up your cooling costs 8%. Take a whole-home approach to lowering your bills instead of focusing on your refrigerator.
Top Energy-Efficient Refrigerator Models
If you calculate how many watts does a refrigerator use in your home and worry that the number is too high, you can look into buying a more energy-efficient model. This can reduce your energy consumption while allowing you to enjoy a modern appliance. Here are four Energy Star® certified refrigerators you will love adding to your home.
LG 26.2 Cu. Ft. PrintProof™ Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator
Model# LFXS26973S
French door refrigerators are inherently more efficient than other models because you only open the appliance halfway to access your groceries. This keeps the cool air inside so your refrigerator doesn’t have to work as hard. This model by LG comes with French doors and an exterior water and ice dispenser, so you don’t need to open the appliance to enjoy a cool drink of water.
This is also a popular refrigerator with customers. One person writes, “The freezer on the bottom makes a lot more room in the refrigerator, which is what we use the most. The French doors work well with the set up of our kitchen. Love the ice maker and the semi-round ice cubes.”
Whirlpool® 19.4 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Metallic Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator
Model# WRQA59CNKZ
Whirlpool French Door Refrigerator
If one set of French doors is energy efficient, then two sets of French doors must be even better. This refrigerator by Whirlpool comes with four total doors and three separate compartments. The first set of French doors opens into the refrigerator section while the second set opens into separate freezer sections. You can grab an ice cream sandwich or a frozen pizza from one section without disrupting the other.
Many buyers rave about these separate compartments. One person says, “We love having more space in the two bottom freezer compartments. I especially love the main refrigerator on top, whereas our old one was on the bottom, and I had to get on my knees in order to reach items.”
If you like this option, check out a similar model by KitchenAid.
Café™ 22.2 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator
Model# CYE22TP2MS1
It’s possible to find an energy-efficient refrigerator that is also stylish. Most GE Café refrigerators, including this model, are at least Energy Star® qualified. The two French doors and exterior water and ice dispenser contribute to lower energy usage. Another energy-efficient benefit of this model is the use of smart technology. You can adjust the temperature of your refrigerator remotely to ensure it is running at its best.
Check out customer reviews to see what people think about this appliance. One customer says, “There is ample usable space inside both the refrigerator and freezer compartments (even though this is the counter depth model). The hot water dispenser feature is very convenient as is the selectable measurement for dispensing exact amounts of water.”
An alternative luxury brand to consider is SubZero, which makes commercial-grade appliances for residential customers.
Samsung 26.5 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel 3-Door French Door Refrigerator
Model# RF27T5501SR
Modern technology allows families to build good habits when it comes to refrigeration. For example, the Samsung Family Hub allows you to peek into your refrigerator and make grocery lists without ever opening the door. This unit is large enough to store a family’s groceries but still one of the more efficient options available.
You can see how useful this appliance is by reading online reviews. One buyer writes, “I have a family of six and we love drinking our beverages with ice and this machine never runs out. It was definitely an upgrade to us. Our fruits and vegetables stay fresh for about two weeks in the drawers with the humidity control at high.”
FAQ
Do refrigerators use a lot of electricity?
Refrigerators do not use a lot of electricity compared to other appliances like HVAC systems and laundry units. However, they can still have an impact on your electric bill. You can expect to pay around $20 to keep your refrigerator running and your food cold.
How much electricity does a fridge use per day?
Power consumption varies from one appliance to the next. However, most refrigerators will use around 100 watts per day. The lower the wattage, the lower your electric bills on average. If it costs $20 per month on average to run your refrigerator, then you would pay around 66 cents per day to preserve your food.
Are there ways to save energy with a refrigerator?
There are multiple ways to save energy when using your refrigerator. First, limit how often you open and close it. This will keep the cold air inside. Next, raise the temperature up from its coldest setting. Your refrigerator won’t have to work as hard to keep your food cold. These two steps can have a big impact on your refrigerator amps.
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Since 1973, Spencers TV & Appliance has grown to 11 locations throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The secret to our longevity is simple: personal service. Customer satisfaction has always been the focus of our business, and throughout the years, we have been able to work hard with our suppliers to bring you the best prices. After all, getting customers the best price and personal attention is how we compete with big-box stores, day in and day out.
Not only do we offer top-rated appliances, name-brand electronics, and the best mattresses on the market but we also provide water treatment solutions and perform kitchen design services. Stop by your nearest Spencers and see what you’re missing!
Shop Refrigerators at Spencers
At Spencers TV & Appliance, we provide high-quality, name-brand products at great prices — check out our catalog to shop refrigerators online today. Your friends in the business are always happy to help you discover the perfect refrigerator. Call us, or better yet, stop by at one of our locations in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale regions. Visit us today!