How Much Does a Refrigerator Cost to Run Per Month? (2026 Data)

The median certified refrigerator in WattCost's current dataset costs about $5.41 per month to run at the April 2026 U.S. average residential electricity price. That is $64.96 a year for 345 kWh of certified annual use; the exact model and state rate can move the result substantially.

Key takeaways

• The current certified refrigerator dataset contains 4,229 models, with a 345 kWh/year median.
• At 18.83¢/kWh, 345 kWh/year is $64.96/year or $5.41/month.
• The certified range is 42–805 kWh/year, so the label number matters more than a generic wattage estimate.
• A refrigerator runs continuously; a monthly figure is simply the annual estimate divided by 12.

What is a normal refrigerator cost per month?

For the current certified-model median, the monthly estimate is $5.41 at the U.S. average residential rate. That is a useful benchmark, not a promise for every refrigerator: the lowest-use certified models work out to well under $1 a month at that rate, while the high end is more than $12 a month. Compare like-sized models with the features you need before treating the median as your expected bill.

How the calculation works

The calculation is 345 kWh/year × $0.1883 per kWh = $64.96/year. Dividing that annual estimate by 12 gives $5.41/month. WattCost uses the certified annual EnergyGuide-style figure because it measures refrigerator use under a standard test instead of assuming the compressor draws its maximum wattage all day.

The site uses the same transparent calculation in its methodology.

Why can two refrigerators have very different monthly costs?

Capacity, configuration, ice-making hardware, defrost design, and the model itself all influence annual kWh. A side-by-side or a large feature-heavy refrigerator can use more electricity than a smaller, simpler refrigerator, but the only reliable comparison is the certified annual kWh for the exact models. Your state rate changes the dollar amount without changing the kWh figure.

How to get a more useful number

Use annual kWh from the yellow EnergyGuide label or a certified model record, then multiply by your own electricity price. This avoids a common mistake: using the compressor's nameplate watts as though it ran at full power continuously.

Start with WattCost's refrigerator model list and state-specific estimates.

For the related buying decision, see the configuration comparison for top-freezer, bottom-freezer, and side-by-side refrigerators.

FAQ

How much does a refrigerator cost per day? The current certified-median estimate is about 18¢ per day at the April 2026 U.S. average residential rate. Divide a model's annual kWh by 365, then multiply by your electricity rate for a model-specific daily estimate.

Does an ENERGY STAR refrigerator always cost less than $6 a month? No. The $5.41 figure is the median across current certified models at the U.S. average rate. Certified refrigerators in the dataset range widely in annual kWh, and a higher state electricity rate increases the monthly dollar amount.

Is refrigerator wattage a good way to estimate monthly cost? Not by itself. A refrigerator's compressor cycles on and off, so nameplate wattage does not show its annual energy use. The certified annual kWh figure is the better comparison input.

Why does a garage refrigerator cost more? A refrigerator in a hot or cold garage can run differently from the standardized test environment. The certified figure remains the best apples-to-apples shopping comparison, while the actual bill can change with the surrounding temperature.

Data notes & sources

WattCost's figures use a July 2026 snapshot of certified product data and EIA's April 2026 U.S. average residential electricity price. Actual household use can differ from the standardized test.

Product-test context: ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator database.

Electricity-rate context: U.S. EIA April 2026 residential electricity-price table.