Full Breakdown: How Many Watts Does a Fridge Use in Australia
Fridges work around the clock, every day of the year, which makes them one of the heaviest energy users in any home. If you’ve ever stared at your electricity bill and asked yourself, “How many watts does a fridge use?” you’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll break it down for you, covering what affects a fridge’s power consumption, how to figure out its wattage, and simple tips to keep energy costs in check.
How Many Watts Does a Fridge Take on Average?
From big kitchen fridges to mini ones in dorm rooms, power consumption can vary a lot. Generally speaking, a standard fridge might use between 100 and 800 watts, while a mini fridge consumes around 50 to 100 watts. Meanwhile, the actual refrigerator electricity consumption can be different based on factors like size, age, and features.
So, how much watts does a refrigerator use on average? Here’s a rough estimation of the instantaneous or running power—how much power the fridge draws when it’s actively running, based on the type.
Standard Fridges:
Average Wattage: 300-800 watts.
Energy-efficient models: Can range from 150-400 watts.
Larger fridges with features: May consume more power, potentially exceeding 800 watts.
Mini Fridges:
Average Wattage: 50-100 watts.
Smaller and more efficient models: May use even less than average.
Mini-fridges don't run constantly: They cycle on and off to maintain temperature.
How Do You Calculate a Fridge’s Power Consumption?
Now you know the average power a refrigerator uses. If you are wondering about the actual fridge power consumption, here’s how to calculate it in Australia step by step.
Step 1. Find the power rating (watts)
Check the fridge’s energy label or nameplate. You can find information like watts (W) or amps (A). If it shows amps, just multiply by 240V (standard Australian voltage) to get watts.
For example: 1.5A × 240V = 360 watts
Step 2. Estimate hours of operation per day
It is worth noting that fridges run on and off based on a duty cycle. The estimated usage is around 8 hours per day (24 x 30% = 8).
The daily fridge energy usage should be: 360W × 8 hours = 2.88 kWh/day
So, how many watts does a fridge use per hour? It would be: 360W × 8 ÷ 24 = 120 watts per hour (average). But given that it cycles on and off throughout the day, the hourly average would be lower than 120 watts.
Step 3. Convert to monthly or yearly use
How many watts does a fridge use monthly or annually? Here are the answers.
Monthly: 2.88 kWh × 30 = 86.4 kWh/month
Yearly: 2.88 kWh × 365 = 1,051.2 kWh/year
What Factors Affect How Much Power a Fridge Uses?
Several factors might influence how many watts a fridge uses. Here are the key elements:
Fridge size and style: Larger fridges like French-door or side-by-side models typically consume more power than smaller and compact mini fridges.
Age and energy rating: Older models are less efficient. Newer models with ENERGY STAR consume fewer watts, which can reduce overall refrigerator electricity consumption.
Room temperature: If the fridge is located in a hot/warm area, the compressor has to work harder to keep it working. This leads to higher fridge energy usage.
Thermostat settings: Setting your fridge colder than necessary will also increase the wattage usage.
User habits: Frequently opening your refrigerator door leads to cold air escaping and warm air entering, forcing your fridge to work harder and use more energy.
How full it is: Overstuffed can block airflow, and a nearly empty fridge lacks enough items to absorb and retain cold air, impacting performance and increasing energy consumption.
Maintenance: Dirty condenser coils, worn door seals, or low refrigerant levels reduce refrigerator efficiency and increase electricity consumption.
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Fridge?
We concluded the daily, monthly, and yearly consumption earlier. Based on the estimation and average Australian electricity rate: $0.33 per kWh, here’s the cost to run a fridge in Australia:
Daily cost: 2.88 kWh x $0.33 = $0.95/day
Monthly cost: 86.4 kWh × $0.33 = $28.51/month
Yearly cost: 1,051.2 kWh × $0.33 = $347.90/year
If you use a more efficient ENERGY STAR fridge, the power consumption would be around 2 kWh/day. You might enjoy even lower energy costs overall.
Tips to Make Your Fridge Use Less Electricity
Want to reduce your energy bill and get the most out of your appliance? There are some practical tips to make your fridge use less electricity. Just check them out.
Choose ENERGY STAR: These models use significantly less electricity than older models. Upgrading is great for long-term savings on your energy bill.
Clean the coils: Dust on the condenser coils forces your fridge to work harder to stay cool. It’s important to clean them every 3–6 months to make them run more efficiently.
Keep it filled: A well-stocked fridge helps retain cold air and can keep fridge cold without power longer. Leave enough space between items for proper airflow and consistent cooling.
Seal the doors: Worn or loose door seals allow cold air to escape and warm air to enter. Check the seals regularly and replace them if they are not sealing tightly.
Set the right temperature: It’s recommended to keep your fridge between 37–40°F and the freezer at 0°F for optimal performance without wasting too much energy.
Defrost when needed: Built-up ice can reduce its efficiency. Defrost your fridge regularly to keep it running smoothly.
Pick a cool spot: Do not place your fridge near ovens, dishwashers, or in direct sunlight. Keep it in a shaded, cool area to reduce unnecessary power use.
Use a portable power station off-peak: Charge a portable power station during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower, then use it to power your fridge during peak times, which can help you cut down on energy costs while ensuring your fridge runs efficiently.
The EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station is ideal for this task, offering 4000W output and 4–12kWh capacity to handle fridges of all sizes. With 80% fast charging in just 50 minutes, ultra-quiet 30 dB operation, and multiple charging methods, it helps you optimize energy use while lowering your electricity costs.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station
Conclusion
How many watts does a fridge use in Australia? Now you know the typical wattage for different fridge sizes, what factors influence energy use, how to calculate running costs, and simple ways to reduce your electricity bill. If you’re looking for extra savings and backup power, EcoFlow’s best portable power station is a smart choice. It can keep your fridge running during outages and let you store cheaper off-peak power, helping you manage energy use more efficiently and cut down on costs.
FAQs
What’s the difference between running watts and starting watts?
Running watts refer to the continuous amount of power needed to keep your fridge operating once it’s running. Starting watts, on the other hand, are the brief surge of power required to start the fridge’s compressor. This surge is typically 2–3 times higher than the running watts.
For example, a fridge that needs 150 running watts might require 450 starting watts. Understanding this difference helps when choosing a generator or power station to ensure it can handle the initial surge.
Will a 1500 watt generator run a refrigerator?
In most cases, yes. A standard home refrigerator typically needs between 100–400 running watts and 800–1200 starting watts when the compressor kicks in. A 1500-watt generator should have enough capacity to handle both the starting surge and the continuous running power of most modern refrigerators.
However, larger or older fridges with higher starting wattage may need more power. Always check the specific wattage requirements of your fridge before relying on a generator to ensure smooth and safe operation.
How many watts does a fridge use in 24 hours?
The average fridge uses between 100 and 400 watts while running. If a 100-watt fridge ran continuously for 24 hours, it would consume 2.4 kWh (100 watts × 24 hours ÷ 1000). However, fridges cycle on and off throughout the day to maintain temperature, so the actual energy consumption is usually lower. On average, a typical fridge may consume around 1–2 kWh per day, depending on size, efficiency, and how frequently the door is opened.