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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Refrigerator in Florida? (2026)
A refrigerator is plugged in all day, but the compressor only runs about a third of the time. The wattage figures here are the compressor draw, and the hours figure reflects typical compressor run time, not 24 hours.
A typical refrigerator (150 W) costs $0.022 per hour, or about $5.40 per month at 8 hours a day in Florida. Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (100 W) | $0.015 | $0.12 | $3.60 | $43.80 |
| Typical (150 W) | $0.022 | $0.18 | $5.40 | $65.70 |
| High (250 W) | $0.037 | $0.30 | $9.00 | $109.50 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 8 h/day ≈ 438 kWh per year.
In Florida, with electricity at $0.15 per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical refrigerator costs $0.022 per hour and about $65.70 per year at 8 hours a day. That is about 17% less than the US national average of $6.48 per month, because electricity in Florida costs $0.15 per kWh against $0.18 nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 44.4 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a refrigerator
- Set the fridge to 37 to 40 F (3 to 4 C) and the freezer to 0 F (-18 C). Colder settings waste power.
- Vacuum the coils at the back or underneath once a year. Dust makes the compressor work harder.
- Leave a gap for airflow behind and above the unit.
- A fridge from before 2000 can use twice the electricity of a new one. Replacement often pays for itself within a few years.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a refrigerator use?
Most modern household fridges draw 100 to 250 watts while the compressor runs, averaging 1 to 2 kWh per day.
Does an empty fridge use more electricity?
Slightly. Food and drinks hold cold, so a full fridge recovers faster after the door opens.
Should I unplug my fridge when on vacation?
Only for trips longer than a month, and only if you empty and clean it first.
Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India