How Many Watts Does a Refrigerator Use? A Simple Guide
You probably open your fridge every day without thinking twice. But have you ever wondered how much electricity it quietly uses around the clock? Whether you’re cutting down on bills or planning off-grid living, knowing your fridge’s energy use is more useful than you think. In this guide, we’ll explore how many watts a typical fridge and mini fridge use, how to calculate your own unit’s power draw, what it costs to run daily, and how to make your fridge more efficient. Let’s break it down in simple, practical terms.
How Many Watts Does a Fridge Use on Average?
A standard refrigerator typically uses between 100 and 800 watts, depending on factors like its size, design, energy efficiency, and age. While that range might seem wide, it makes more sense when you look at how refrigerators actually consume energy throughout the day.
Refrigerators cycle on and off to maintain a stable internal temperature. They don’t pull maximum power every minute they’re plugged in. On average, a fridge runs for about 8 hours per 24-hour period, though this can vary depending on how often the door is opened, how much food is stored, and even the surrounding room temperature.
Let’s break that down with an example. If your refrigerator uses 200 watts while running and operates for 8 hours a day, that comes out to:
Around 1.6 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day About 48 kWh per month
When estimating hourly consumption, a fridge typically uses between 50 and 200 watt-hours, depending on its efficiency and power rating.
This daily energy use might seem small at first, but over time, it can make a big difference — especially when combined with other appliances in your home. That’s why understanding your fridge wattage is so important if you're looking to reduce energy costs or switch to solar backup.
So, how many watts does a fridge use? It depends on your specific model and how it's used — but most fridges today fall between 1 to 2 kWh of daily usage, making them one of the most consistent power consumers in your home.
How Many Watts Does a Mini Fridge Take?
Mini fridges are small, quiet, and surprisingly useful — whether you’re in a dorm room, working from your desk, or keeping drinks cold in the garage. But just because they’re compact doesn’t mean they don’t use power. If you're trying to save energy or planning to run your fridge with a portable battery or solar panel, knowing what it draws really matters.
Most mini fridges use between 50 and 100 watts while running. That might sound low, but they still cycle on and off throughout the day, just like regular fridges. If yours runs for around 8 hours a day at 70 watts, you're looking at about 0.56 kilowatt-hours (kWh) daily, or roughly 17 kWh per month.
That’s not a huge number, but if you're living off-grid or using a power station, every watt counts. That’s why it helps to understand your fridge’s actual energy demand — not just what’s on the label.
Some mini fridges are more efficient than others. Newer models often have better insulation and compressors, which means lower fridge wattage overall. If you’re shopping for one, check the specs and energy ratings before you buy. And if you already own one, a plug-in power meter can tell you exactly how many watts does refrigerator draw in your real-world setup.
Small appliances can have a big impact — especially when they run all day.
How Can You Calculate Your Fridge’s Actual Power Consumption?
Let’s be honest — most of us have no idea how much electricity our fridge really uses. You plug it in, it hums quietly in the background, and you don’t think about it again. But when the electricity bill goes up or you start looking into solar power or battery backups, suddenly you care.
The good news? Figuring it out is easier than you think. You don’t need to be an engineer — just a little curiosity and maybe one small device.
1. Check the label (but don’t stop there)
Every fridge has a label inside or on the back showing how many watts it’s rated for. It might say something like “120W” or “1.5A at 120V.” That gives you a starting point, but remember: fridges don’t run at full power all day long. They cycle. That’s why label info alone won’t tell you the whole story about how much wattage does refrigerator use.
2. Use a plug-in power meter
This is by far the easiest way to get real data. Plug the meter into the wall, then plug your fridge into the meter. It will show you exactly how many watts does refrigerator draw over time — not just a momentary number, but an average across hours or even days.
Many people are surprised to find that their fridge uses less power than expected, or sometimes more if it’s an older model. Either way, it’s a wake-up call and a great first step toward understanding your energy use.
3. Do the math yourself
If you know the fridge’s wattage (from the label or meter), and you estimate it runs about 8 hours per day, you can multiply:
Wattage × Hours per day ÷ 1000 = Daily kWh
Example: 150W × 8 hours ÷ 1000 = 1.2 kWh per day
Multiply that by 30, and you’ve got your monthly estimate. Not bad, right? Knowing your fridge’s actual power use helps you plan smarter — whether you’re budgeting, switching to solar, or just curious about what’s quietly using electricity 24/7. And now that you know how many watts does refrigerator draw, you’re ahead of most people who never even think to ask.
How Much Do You Spend Each Day to Run a Fridge?
The fridge is one of those appliances we never turn off. It’s always running — quietly doing its job in the background. But that quiet hum comes with a cost, and over time, that cost adds up. Let’s break it down.
A typical refrigerator might use around 1.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. If you’re paying £0.30 per kWh, that’s about £0.45 a day just to keep things cold. It doesn’t sound like much, until you realize that’s nearly £14 a month — or more than £160 a year from a single appliance.
Now factor in a second fridge in the garage, a drinks cooler, or even that old model you kept “just in case.” Suddenly, your total cost could double — without you ever noticing. And if you’re running older models with higher refrigerator wattage, that number climbs even faster.
What really matters is how many watts does refrigerator draw throughout the day. Even if your fridge is labeled 200 watts, it doesn’t run constantly. Most cycle on and off, averaging around 8 hours of actual runtime per day. Still, that adds up — especially in hot weather, when compressors kick in more often.
And things get trickier when you’re not on the grid. If you're camping, traveling in a van, or using a backup battery at home, that steady power draw becomes a problem. In those cases, you don’t just want cold food — you want something efficient. That’s where something like a portable freezer box quietly shines. It uses far less power, fits in tight spaces, and gets the job done without draining your system.
So while your fridge may not seem like a big energy user, it’s one of the few devices that runs 24/7. That makes it worth tracking — because saving just a little, every day, adds up fast.
How to Lower Your Refrigerator’s Energy Use?
Your fridge runs all day, every day — but that doesn’t mean it has to waste power. With a few small changes, you can cut its energy use without spending a penny.
Start by checking where your fridge sits. If it’s next to your oven or crammed in with no airflow, it’s working harder than it should. Move it away from heat, give it some breathing space, and clean the coils every now and then.
Then take a look inside. Is the temperature colder than it needs to be? Do you stand there with the door open, staring into the abyss? These little things quietly increase how much wattage does refrigerator use over time.
If you’re using an older model with higher refrigerator wattage, it might be time for an upgrade — especially if you're relying on solar or backup power. The EcoFlow GLACIER Classic Portable Fridge Freezer not only uses 40% less power than standard portable coolers thanks to its high‑efficiency compressor, but its dual temperature zones (–20°C to 20°C) let you freeze ice on one side while chilling drinks on the other. Plus, app‑based controls allow you to monitor and adjust temperatures remotely, so you never waste energy overcooling when you’re away.
EcoFlow GLACIER Classic Portable Fridge Freezer
A few small tweaks, or the right fridge in the right place, can go a long way toward cutting your daily energy use — and your electricity bill.
Conclusion
Your fridge might be easy to forget — always on, always working — but small changes in how you use it can lead to real savings. Whether it’s adjusting the temperature, checking how much power it pulls, or upgrading to something more efficient, every step counts. The best part? You don’t need to be an expert to start making smarter energy choices today.
FAQs
Do older refrigerators use more watts than newer models?
In most cases, yes. Older refrigerators were built with less efficient insulation, compressors, and components, which means they tend to draw more power to do the same job. Even if an old fridge is still running “just fine,” it could be quietly using far more electricity than you expect.
Modern units are designed to meet stricter energy standards. They cool more effectively while using less power, often thanks to improved compressor technology and smarter temperature regulation. Over time, the difference adds up — especially since your fridge runs 24/7.
If you’ve been holding onto a 10-year-old unit, it’s worth checking the label or using a power meter to find out how much energy it actually uses. You might be surprised at how much you could save just by upgrading to a newer, more efficient model.
Can a portable power station run a refrigerator?
Yes, but it depends on your fridge’s power needs and the size of your power station. Most refrigerators use between 100 and 300 watts while running, though they may need a higher surge to start.
A portable power station with enough capacity — ideally over 1 kilowatt-hour — can keep a fridge running for several hours, sometimes longer if paired with solar charging. Mini fridges or energy-efficient models are easier to support.
If you're using one during a blackout, on the road, or off-grid, make sure your power station matches your fridge’s wattage and runtime needs. With the right setup, it works surprisingly well.
How many watts does a fridge use in 24 hours?
A typical refrigerator uses between 1 and 2 kilowatt-hours (kWh) in a 24-hour period — or about 1,000 to 2,000 watt-hours. But this number isn’t fixed. It depends on your fridge wattage, the age of the appliance, how full it is, and how often the door is opened.
For example, a fridge that runs at 150 watts for about 8 hours per day will consume roughly 1.2 kWh daily. But if your fridge cycles more often — during hot weather or heavy use — that number can rise quickly.
The best way to get an accurate number is to use a plug-in power meter over a full day. It will show you exactly how much electricity your fridge is using, instead of relying on estimates or manufacturer specs.
Will a 2000watt generator run my fridge?
Yes — a 2000watt generator is more than capable of running a standard household refrigerator. Most fridges require between 100 and 300 watts while running, but they do draw more power at startup. That initial surge, often called starting watts, can be two to three times the normal running load.
Before connecting your fridge, check its label or manual to confirm how many watts does refrigerator draw at startup. As long as the peak demand stays below the generator’s output capacity, you should have no issues.
It’s also worth noting that if you’re powering other appliances at the same time, the total load matters. But for just a fridge, 2000 watts is typically more than enough — even with a bit of extra headroom.