How many watts does a refrigerator use? (150 W)
A refrigerator uses about 150 W
Typical range 100–250 watts.
Typical range 100–250 watts.
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A refrigerator runs around the clock, but its compressor only draws power in cycles - so a 150 W fridge uses far less than 150 W non-stop.
Refrigerator power specs
| Typical running power | 150 W |
| Typical range | 100–250 W |
| Startup surge | 1,200 W |
| Energy use | 1.20 kWh/day · 36.0 kWh/mo |
What affects a refrigerator's wattage
A refrigerator is rated around 150 W, but the real figure shifts with a few things:
- Model and rating: A refrigerator ranges from about 100 W on efficient units to 250 W on larger or older ones — a spread of ~150 W.
- Usage: the real draw depends on the heat setting and how full it is.
- Startup surge: the motor can briefly spike to about 1,200 W at start-up, well above the 150 W running figure.
- Run time: because a refrigerator runs for long stretches (about 8 h/day), hours of use matter as much as raw wattage on your bill.
Running cost at $0.17/kWh
| Electricity rate | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.10/kWh | $0.12 | $3.60 | $43.80 |
| $0.15/kWh | $0.18 | $5.40 | $65.70 |
| $0.20/kWh | $0.24 | $7.20 | $87.60 |
| $0.25/kWh | $0.30 | $9.00 | $109.50 |
| $0.30/kWh | $0.36 | $10.80 | $131.40 |
| $0.40/kWh | $0.48 | $14.40 | $175.20 |
See the full breakdown of what it costs to run a refrigerator, or what size power station runs a refrigerator.
FAQ
How many watts does a refrigerator use?
Most home refrigerators draw 100-250 watts while the compressor runs, averaging about 150 W.
How much does a fridge cost to run per month?
Roughly 6 to 12 dollars a month at $0.17/kWh, since the compressor only runs part of the time.