Refrigerator running cost: turn the yearly kWh label into dollars
A refrigerator is on all day, every day, so you do not need to guess hours of use. The energy label shows estimated yearly electricity use, and you can convert it to dollars with your own rate.
The formula
Yearly cost = yearly kWh x price per kWh
Worked example
| Model A | Model B | |
|---|---|---|
| Labelled yearly use | 400 kWh | 520 kWh |
| Yearly cost | $68.00 | $88.40 |
| Difference per year | $20.40 | |
| Difference over 10 years | $204 |
If Model A costs $150 more up front, the extra electricity savings repay that in about 7.4 years. Whether that is worth it depends on how long you will keep the unit. Finish the comparison with cost per year.
Capacity: bigger is not better
- Pick a size that matches your household and shopping pattern, since empty space still has to be cooled
- Check the freezer and fridge split against how you actually eat
- Measure the opening, the hinge swing and the delivery path before buying
Running it efficiently
- Let hot food cool before storing it
- Keep the door closed as much as you can
- Leave the clearance the manual asks for and keep the coils clean