They use an insanely small amount of power compared to the size and usefulness. You'll need to rely on storage when you aren't producing power, but the math is pretty easy.
Mini-fridge wattages vary based on cooling capabilities and manufacturer, but most products require somewhere between 50 and 100 watts of power. Like other appliances, mini-fridge power consumption details will be listed within your owner's manual (in watts).
Also, compared to a full-size fridge, they use less power; thus, they have a lower electricity cost. The electricity consumption of average mini or compact refrigerators is about 233 kWh to 310 kWh. Meanwhile, refrigerators (18-20 cubic feet) often use between 404 and 613 kWh.
Your refrigerator is one of the larger household appliances, and it's always on! On average, a refrigerator uses 300 to 800 watts of electricity, or between 3 and 6 amps and about 120 volts.
The national average price of electricity hovered around $0.14 per kWh (it shot up to $0.16 in late 2022) and the average home's total consumption is 10,632 kWh a year, which totals $1,452.12 yearly. So, in other words, your fridge accounts for a bit more than 10% of the average home's total electric bill.
Keep it stocked
A full fridge is a happy fridge because the thermal mass of its contents helps maintain the temperature (or in other words, the cold stuff helps keep it cold). In a full fridge, the compressor won't need to cycle on and off as much, which will extend the life of the compressor and reduce running costs.
It is better to have a smaller, more efficient fridge that is full, rather than a larger fridge with a lot of wasted space that needs cooling. The smaller, fuller fridge will use less energy.
What is the average lifespan of a refrigerator? A new fridge should last between 10 - 20 years, with an average lifespan of 14 - 15 years. Smaller refrigerators last roughly 4 - 12 years, and the average lifespan is about 8.
If you suspect one of your appliances is using excessive amounts of electricity, find out for sure with a wattage tester, such as the MECHEER power meter. Simply plug your appliance into the tester, plug the tester into the outlet, and then run the appliance as usual for 24 hours.
On average, modern TVs use around 100 watts, depending on the model. Larger screens require as much as 200 watts, so if you have a 50-inch-plus TV, you can double our calculations below.
side-by-side fridges or top-mount freezer vs. side-by-side fridges — yes, it does matter where that freezer sits: The most energy efficient refrigerator style is a top-mount freezer refrigerator.
The impact on your electricity bill will depend on the wattage of your mini fridge, the hours it's running per day, and how much electricity costs in your area. To calculate how much the fridge will cost to run, multiply wattage x hours, divide by 1000, and multiply that number by the cost per kilowatt hour of energy.
Key Takeaways
To find how much electricity your TV uses, multiply yearly electricity use by average electricity rate in your area. Using a TV 21 hours a week will use about 54.75 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. It costs an average of $1.30 to run a TV for a month and $15.54 to run for a year.
Such a mini fridge is perfect for keeping your favorite snacks, drinks, and leftovers on hand, helping you save money by avoiding expensive vending machines and fast food restaurants. Plus, it's a convenient way to pop your items in the fridge and enjoy them whenever you want.
Heating and cooling are by far the greatest energy users in the home, making up around 40% of your electric bill. Other big users are washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves. Electronic devices like laptops and TVs are usually pretty cheap to run, but of course, it can all add up.
If you want to test how much power your appliances and devices are using in standby mode, you can buy an electricity usage monitor device. These devices allow you to plug in various tech or appliances and check how much power they're actually using, even in standby mode.
According to Reduction Revolution, the average refrigerator will use between 1 to 2 kilowatts per hour each day, averaging about $150 per year. If you are curious about how much energy your specific refrigerator uses, you can look up the Energy Guide for your refrigerator's model to get a general idea.
Echoing this recommendation by appliance manufacturer Whirlpool, the representative told us, “75-80% full as a best operating condition seems reasonable, though it'd really depend on the air flow and spacing.” That is, in order to keep your freezer working properly, you need to keep food from blocking the air vents, ...
If you are going away for a month or longer, it is a good idea to unplug your refrigerator to save energy. Empty your refrigerator, drain the water tank if you have one, clean the inside of the appliance and leave the doors open to avoid any unwanted odours.