Woman staring into fridge, looking for something to eat

How much power does a fridge use?

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In this Canstar Blue cost analysis, we look at how much it costs to run your refrigerator. We look at the electricity costs by state, energy efficiency rating and fridge size.

Is your refrigerator running? Then you better catch a glimpse at these usage costs before your next energy bill arrives! As a household staple, the low hum of a fridge is never far off, and with it usually always switched on, you’ll want to know how much these cooling devices are costing you.

We’ve crunched the numbers to figure out what you can expect to pay to keep a fridge running in Australia. You’ll also see if switching to a more energy-efficient model could save you a few dollars, plus we list some quick and easy ways to reduce fridge power usage.

How much electricity does a fridge use each year?

A fridge is normally one of the only household appliances that is constantly switched on for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This means a fridge consumes a lot of electricity over the course of a year, and if you have more than one fridge in operation, it can add big bucks to your energy bills.

The exact amount of power your fridge will use each year though will vary depending on the size, capacity and energy efficiency of your model. There are other smaller factors such as the type of fridge (e.g., top mounted or French Door), and the temperature setting that may also impact the yearly power consumption of your fridge.

As a general guide however, we have listed the average annual electricity usage of refrigerators in Australia based on the litre capacity below. As you might expect, it is the fridges with larger capacity sizes that typically use the most power within a year.

Average annual electricity usage of refrigerators in Australia

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Fridge Capacity (L) 300-400L 400-500L 500-600L 600-700L
Average Annual Usage (kWh) 329kWh 373kWh 441kWh 510kWh

Source: www.canstarblue.com.au – 24/08/2023. Average energy consumption figures based on refrigerator/freezer models listed in the Commonwealth of Australia E3 Program’s Registration database.

How much does it cost to run a fridge in Australia?

Running a fridge in Australia can cost anywhere from $86 to $231 in energy costs each year, depending on the size of the fridge and the household’s location. South Australians typically pay the highest electricity rates, so running a fridge in Adelaide will likely be more expensive than most other capital cities. As such, residents in the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and the Northern Territory usually pay the least in refrigerator running costs. Please note, these costs are based on the annual energy usage amounts calculated for each fridge size in the table above.

Annual estimated electricity costs for refrigerators per capital city

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300-400L 400-500L 500-600L 600-700L
Canberra $86 $98 $116 $134
Melbourne $88 $100 $118 $136
Darwin $92 $105 $124 $143
Hobart $97 $110 $130 $150
Perth $101 $115 $136 $157
Brisbane $102 $116 $137 $158
Sydney $117 $132 $157 $181
Adelaide  $149 $169 $199 $231

Source: www.canstarblue.com.au – 24/08/2023. Electricity usage cost esitmates based on average electricity usage rates: 35.5c/kWh in Sydney, 26.7c/kWh in Melbourne, 31.0c/kWh in Brisbane, 45.2c/kWh in Adelaide, 30.8c/kWh in Perth, 29.5c/kWh in Hobart, 28.1c/kWh in Darwin, and 26.2c/kWh in Canberra. Average electricity usage rates are based on single-rate, non-solar only plans on Canstar’s database, available for an annual usage of 4,347kWh. 

Can I save money with a more energy-efficient fridge?

When it comes to energy-efficient appliances most of us probably recoil at the higher price tag, but it’s often the case that these types of appliances have some long-term benefits. According to the latest Canstar Blue survey, Aussies reported that their fridges lasted an average of eight years, meaning a more energy-efficient model could save dollars in the long run.

The following table shows the difference in yearly fridge running costs between models with varying energy-efficiency ratings.

Annual estimated electricity costs for refrigerators per star rating

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300-400L 400-500L 500-600L 600-700L
2 to 2.5 Stars $140 $161 $184 $203
3 to 3.5 Stars $112 $134 $150 $171
4 to 4.5 Stars $96 $109 $122 $140
5 to 5.5 Stars $80 $95 $107 $130

Source: www.canstarblue.com.au – 24/08/2023. Average energy consumption figures based on refrigerator/freezer models listed in the Commonwealth of Australia E3 Program’s Registration database. Electricity usage cost estimates based on the average electricity usage rate of 33.2c/kWh. Average electricity usage rates are based on single-rate, non-solar only plans on Canstar’s database, available for an annual usage of 4,347kWh.

Even switching from a two to a three-star rated fridge could save you between $27 and $34 a year in energy running costs, depending on the size of the model. The larger the fridge size, the more there could be to save on usage costs too, with our calculations showing a 500-600L refrigerator could cost $77 less a year to run with a five-star to 5.5 rating as opposed to one with just two to 2.5 stars. While it may not seem like a big individual saving over a year, these costs can quickly add up, especially if you’re running two or more fridges in your home.

Compare cheap electricity deals now

If you’re on a dud energy plan, reducing your fridge’s running costs will only do so much for your bills. That’s why it’s important to regularly compare the cheapest electricity deals in your neighbourhood. For a range of quotes specific to your area, it’s best to use our free comparison tool.

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

How can I reduce the cost of running my fridge?

It’s fair to say that most Australians own a fridge that’s constantly running, so it’s nearly impossible to reduce the majority of the operational costs. That being said, there are some minor changes you can make with your fridge habits to help reduce some of the running costs.

Man holding power cord to fridge

  • Ensure your fridge is well-ventilated: Most of the time fridges are placed within tight spaces, surrounded by walls and cabinets. This kind of confinement may mean your fridge has to work harder to maintain airflow if the space it is in is restricted.
  • Keep an eye on temperature settings: It’s quite easy to accidentally nudge the thermostat on your fridge, which means it could be running at a temperature far colder than it needs to be. It pays to check on your thermostat every once and awhile. According to the CSIRO, the ideal temperature for a domestic fridge is three degrees Celsius, however, anything under five degrees is acceptable.
  • Check sealing and conditions: If a fridge is poorly sealed, cold air can easily escape, meaning the fridge will have to work much harder to keep perishable items at an optimal temperature.
  • Don’t stand with the fridge door open for too long: Similar to sealing, keeping the fridge door open for long periods of time will mean more energy will be needed to replace the cold air that has been lost. This might be worth noting if you have a nosy housemate, child or sibling that can’t keep their head out of the fridge for longer than three seconds.
  • Consider consolidating fridges: According to recent Canstar Blue research, 30% of Aussies have a second fridge in their home. This means that almost a third of households are paying double in running costs. If both fridges aren’t stacked to the max, it may be worth consolidating to one fridge and switching the other off.

What is the best type of fridge to buy?

Choosing the best fridge for your home will ultimately come down to a number of factors, from the lifestyle you live to the climate you reside in. That being said, there are some things you should consider when purchasing a new fridge, such as the type of fridge you actually need, the energy-efficiency rating, budget and any additional features you may seek – i.e., smart controls.

If you’re unsure where to start, our our most recent refrigerator ratings are below, where you can see which brands Aussie consumers rated top-notch for overall satisfaction.

Fridge Reviews & Ratings

Image credit: New Africa/Shutterstock.com, LightField Studios/Shutterstock.com

Kelseigh Wrigley
Energy Specialist
Kelseigh Wrigley covers Australia's retail energy market, growing her industry specific expertise over the last 2 years. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism at the Queensland University of Technology and has contributed her skills to online publications Hunter & Bligh and local radio station 4ZZZ.

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