How much electricity does a refrigerator use?
A refrigerator runs around the clock, so its yearly energy use is one of the biggest numbers in a kitchen. The ENERGY STAR certified list gives a standardized annual kWh for every model. This guide summarizes that list as it stood in October 2026.
The short version
Among 4,440 certified refrigerators of the five common types, the median is 347 kWh per year, with a range of 106 to 805 kWh. At 15 cents per kWh that median costs about $52 a year, and at 25 cents about $87.
Type and size matter more than anything else, as the tables show.
By type
| Type | Models | Median kWh/yr | Range kWh/yr | Median adjusted volume (ft³) | Median cost at 15¢ | Median cost at 25¢ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact refrigerator | 1,714 | 246 | 106 to 470 | 3.8 | $36.90 | $61.50 |
| Freezerless and single door | 294 | 288 | 124 to 370 | 16.7 | $43.20 | $72.00 |
| Top freezer | 729 | 362 | 121 to 506 | 21.0 | $54.30 | $90.50 |
| Bottom freezer | 1,586 | 563 | 200 to 799 | 24.9 | $84.45 | $140.75 |
| Side-by-side | 117 | 643 | 420 to 805 | 31.6 | $96.45 | $160.75 |
Compact means a total volume under 7.75 cubic feet and a height of 36 inches or less, according to the ENERGY STAR dataset.
Full-size models by adjusted volume
Looking only at top-freezer, bottom-freezer and side-by-side models, size drives the number:
| Adjusted volume | Models | Median kWh/yr | Range kWh/yr | Median cost at 15¢ | Median cost at 25¢ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 17 ft³ | 394 | 326 | 121 to 515 | $48.90 | $81.50 |
| 17 to under 22 ft³ | 704 | 425 | 305 to 613 | $63.75 | $106.25 |
| 22 to under 27 ft³ | 599 | 540 | 369 to 678 | $81.00 | $135.00 |
| 27 ft³ and up | 735 | 661 | 405 to 805 | $99.15 | $165.25 |
ENERGY STAR notes that, generally, the larger the refrigerator, the greater the energy consumption. Adjusted volume is explained in reading ENERGY STAR refrigerator ratings.
What the figure does not include
The annual figure is calculated with U.S. Department of Energy test procedures under typical conditions. ENERGY STAR itself says your use will vary with how often the door is opened, the room temperature around the refrigerator and how full it is kept. Treat it as a fair way to compare models and a first estimate, not a measurement of your kitchen.
Check your own state
Multiply the annual kWh by your price per kWh. On each model page you can pick your state or enter your rate. The same 347 kWh costs about $44 a year at 12.72 cents (Louisiana, July 2026 EIA average) and about $167 at 48.00 cents (Hawaii).
Method
Data: ENERGY STAR Certified Residential Refrigerators dataset (EPA), imported October 2026, newest listing for each brand and model number: 4,622 current listings. The tables cover the five types above (4,440 models). The dataset also lists beverage coolers, compact coolers and a few freezers, which are not included here. Medians and ranges use the annual energy and volume values as published, and nothing is estimated for missing values.