How many amps does a refrigerator use?

Author: Ms. Pinkie O'Keefe  |  Last update: Friday, June 27, 2025

Introduction. On average, refrigerators consume between 300 and 800 watts of electricity, depending on the age of the model. Most refrigerators use between 3 and 6 amps and operate at around 120 volts.

Can I run A refrigerator on A 15 amp circuit?

Can You Run a Refrigerator on a 15 Amp Circuit? Yes, you can typically run a refrigerator on a 15 amp circuit, as most household refrigerators require between 3 to 10 amps to operate. This usage falls well within the capacity of a 15 amp circuit.

How many amps does A refrigerator draw on startup?

When your typical standard 480W refrigerator first starts, it could momentarily draw 1440W of power and 24 amps, but once running, it will stabilize at 480W and draw only 4 amps. As you can see, when a refrigerator is first turned on, it draws significant power that it usually requires during normal operational time.

Will A 1500 watt generator run A refrigerator?

For example, a medium to large-sized refrigerator draws between 200 – 400 running watts of electricity, and up to 1,200 starting watts. So, you'll want to look for a generator with a 1,300-1,500W maximum power output to run it.

Can I run two refrigerators on the same outlet?

With most domestic circuits running between 15 and 20 amps, it's okay to use two refrigerators on the same dedicated circuit. However, you should take care with timing. You don't want to start both the refrigerator and freezer at the same time. At the start, the amperage of the refrigerator can spike to 15 amps.

How many amps does a 18 cu ft refrigerator use?

How many amps does a side-by-side refrigerator use?

Here are some rough guidelines for different types of refrigerators: Mini refrigerators: Generally consume around 1 to 2 amps. Top-freezer refrigerators: Usually range between 3 and 4 amps. Side-by-side refrigerators: Can go up to 7 or 8 amps.

How many fridges can you plug into one outlet?

In North America, the National Electric Code specifies that a refrigerator receptacle be on an independent circuit, and no other receptacles can be connected to that circuit. In practice, connecting two refrigerators to the same branch may result in nuisance tripping.

Can I plug my refrigerator directly into a generator?

For battery powered generators that are usually installed indoors, the refrigerator can plug directly into the battery generator. The battery operated generator can be installed right beside the appliance eliminating the need for extension cords and costly electrical work.

Do fridges use a lot of electricity?

On average, refrigerators use 300-800 watts of electricity. It costs an average of $20 a month or $240 a year to run a refrigerator. A refrigerator's actual energy use is typically much less than the stated wattage because they cycle on and off throughout the day.

How big of a generator do I need for a fridge and deep freezer?

Refrigerator or freezer - around 1,800 starting watts, 180 watts normal running. Portable radio - 5 watts to 45 watts.

Can you use an extension cord with A refrigerator?

We strongly recommend that an extension cord not be used with any Refrigeration appliances (Refrigerator, Freezer, Compact Refrigerator, Ice Machine, Beverage Center, etcetera) due to the potential safety hazards under certain conditions.

What is the minimum amp for A refrigerator?

Amperage for most household refrigerators, is anywhere from 3 to 5 if the voltage is 120. A 15 to 20 amp dedicated circuit is required because the in-rush amperage is much higher.

How many amps does A TV use?

The average TV typically draws around 0.3 to 1.7 amps of current. The amp draw of the TV can vary based on factors such as the TV's efficiency, screen size, technology (LED/LCD, OLED, QLED), and additional features like smart capabilities and built-in sound systems.

Should I run a 15 or 20 amp outlet for my refrigerator?

However, they can experience sudden spikes, which can cause them to run at around 15 amps. As a result, a refrigerator must run on a circuit that is capable of handling these occasional spikes. The best course of action is to run the refrigerator on a dedicated 20 amp, 120-volt circuit.

Does a refrigerator need to be on a GFCI?

Another reason why a refrigerator or freezer should not be on a GFCI outlet is because GFCI outlets are often “daisy chained.” This means that one GFCI circuit can be connected to multiple outlets in the kitchen or garage.

Should a refrigerator be on its own breaker?

Having the refrigerator on its own dedicated circuit is the recommended best practice for most homeowners.

What wastes the most electricity in a house?

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.

How to tell if a fridge is using too much electricity?

To find out your refrigerator's power usage, you can use one of the following methods:
  1. Method 1: Use your refrigerator's volts and amps sticker.
  2. To see how much power your fridge uses in a day:
  3. Method 2: Use your refrigerator's energy guide sticker.
  4. Finally, divide the daily energy consumption by 24. (hours in a day).

What are the electrical requirements for a refrigerator?

Refrigerator or Freezer – Running a refrigerator via a dedicated circuit is the recommended best practice for homeowners. Most refrigerators use between 3 and 6 amps, but peak draw can spike up to 15 amps. For this reason, refrigerators and freezers should be connected to a 15-20 amp dedicated 120-volt circuit.

Why won't my refrigerator run on a generator?

Some refrigerators require "clean energy" to operate due to sensitive electronics. Some portable generator models do not produce a "clean" enough signal for sensitive electronics.

Is it okay to plug a refrigerator into a regular outlet?

The answer depends on the specific requirements of your refrigerator and the electrical circuit it's connected to. Most standard refrigerators can indeed be plugged into regular outlets, provided that the outlet is grounded and can handle the electrical load.

Why would a refrigerator trip the breaker on a generator?

The simplest and most common reason a refrigerator, or any appliance, would trip a circuit breaker or fuse box is because it's overloading the overall circuit.

Should you put a surge protector on a refrigerator?

We do not recommend connecting a Refrigerator to a surge protector.

How many amps does a refrigerator pull?

Most standard-size fridges use between 3 and 6 amps but can go up to 15 amps. Plug your fridge into a 20-amp dedicated circuit. Look at the manufacturer's details for amperage info or calculate it from the wattage. Use a power meter to accurately measure the amps used.

Can I plug my refrigerator into an extension cord?

Larger appliances like refrigerators and freezers need a stable power flow directly from a wall outlet to function properly. Even the best extension cords experience voltage drops and fluctuations, which can cause these appliances to malfunction. In extreme cases, these changes can permanently damage your equipment.

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