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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Refrigerator in New York? (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 $0.043 per hour, or about $10.44 per month at 8 hours a day in New York. Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (100 W) | $0.029 | $0.23 | $6.96 | $84.68 |
| Typical (150 W) | $0.043 | $0.35 | $10.44 | $127.02 |
| High (250 W) | $0.072 | $0.58 | $17.40 | $211.70 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 8 h/day ≈ 438 kWh per year.
In New York, with electricity at $0.29 per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical refrigerator costs $0.043 per hour and about $127.02 per year at 8 hours a day. That is about 61% more than the US national average of $6.48 per month, because electricity in New York costs $0.29 per kWh against $0.18 nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 23.0 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