At a Glance:
How Many Watts a Refrigerator Uses Depends
Checking How Many Watts a Fridge Uses
Tips for Saving Energy with Your Refrigerator
Recommended Energy-Efficient Refrigerators
If you think standing in front of the fridge deciding what to snack on at midnight is the biggest problem when it comes to your refrigerator, then chew on this: you’re probably paying $30 a month just for your ice box to run every day, and each time you open the door, the bill goes up.
There is good news, though, being that modern fridges are substantially more efficient than models our parents grew up with. The trick is knowing how many watts does a refrigerator use, understanding which fridge styles save the most energy, and refrigerator maintenance tips that keep your unit in tip-top shape. We explain it all, plus we also give you a peek at a few energy efficient refrigerators we recommend.
Find Your Next Refrigerator at Albert Lee
In-Stock RefrigeratorsWhat is a Watt?
It’s time for a vocab quiz! If you want to know how many watts does a refrigerator use, you’ll need to understand what a watt, voltage, and amp are. It sounds intimidating, but it’s simpler than it sounds, so let’s clarify these three terms.
Voltage
Think of this as the rate of electricity that runs from one pole to the other. For refrigerators that use volt ratings, the compressor is able to push more power from one point the other, but that might also mean they cost more to run. Generally, residential refrigerators use 120-volt outlets, while commercial refrigerators often run on 240-volt outlets.
Amps
Depending on the manufacturer, you might see this referred to as the current rating, too. Either way, both indicate how fast the energy created by the compressor moves from one point to the next.
Watts
Refrigerator watt usage is the amount of energy produced at any given time. The overall watts of a refrigerator can be calculated by multiplying voltage and amperage.
✔ For example:
- You have a refrigerator that runs on a 120-volt outlet with an amp rating of 5.
- We can determine its energy rating by multiplying 120 x 5 to get 600 watts.
How Many Watts a Refrigerator Uses Depends
The mission toward greener homes is more alive than ever, and even state mandates are working on new laws that will eventually affect appliance energy efficiency. Regardless of the efforts, that won’t mean all refrigerators will be equal in terms of energy consumption. Luckily, there are a few factors to keep in mind.
Refrigerator Style Matters
Specifically, it’s the fridge doors that matter the reason being that bigger fridge doors let out more cold air each time they are opened. In fact, that’s why French door refrigerators are considered some of the most efficient in terms of conserving internal temperatures, which keeps the compressor from working overtime.
A great example of how manufacturers use French doors to their advantage is Electrolux. French door refrigerators such as this Electrolux model feature the brand’s exclusive ExtraAccess Door with one door that’s bigger than the other. This simple change allows users to access 75 percent of the fresh food compartment without having to open the entire compartment.
On the other hand, side by side refrigerators tend to be the biggest energy hogs since they use compressors at the bottom of the unit, and bottom freezer refrigerators are considered by some the most efficient in terms of energy and temperature regulation.
According to official ENERGY STAR data, you can expect:
- Top freezer refrigerators to cost about $45 to run annually
- Bottom freezer refrigerators (including French door models) to cost about $70 to run annually
- Side by side refrigerators cost about $75 to run annually
Don’t Forget Refrigerator Features
Features are lovely, sure, but shoppers should keep in mind that adding extra functions to a fridge requires more work from the compressor. A few refrigerator features that might run your bill up include:
- Internal water dispensers ➔ They require users to open the door, allowing cold air to escape and kicking the compressor into gear.
- Special icemakers➔ Freezing water takes a lot of energy, so express ice modes can kick the compressor into overdrive.
On that note, some features are worth investing in if your goal is efficiency. Specifically:
✅ Door-in-door panels ➔ This slim compartment reduces the need to open the entire compartment.
✅ Door alarms ➔ Refrigerators with door alarms chime when the door doesn’t shut completely, so you can catch cold air leaks as they happen.
✅ Wi-Fi connectivity ➔ Having access to your refrigerator via a smart device can help you monitor temperature dips, open doors, and some even connect to internal refrigerator cameras that let you see what’s in the fridge without even opening the door.
More Fridge Capacity Requires More Energy
It’s simple: bigger appliances need more energy to work, and large-capacity refrigerators are no exception. Luckily, you can still find high-capacity fridges that are ENERGY STAR certified, although you’ll still be paying more to run one of these models than smaller ones.
✔ Did You Know?
Many shoppers think ENERGY STAR certified and ENERGY STAR qualified are two separate terms, but according to ENERGY STAR, the two are the same, meaning appliances with these labels have been specially tested to determine whether they meet the right energy consumption ratings.
Checking How Many Watts a Fridge Uses
If you want to avoid the quick math, there’s still another way to figure out how much energy does a refrigerator use. You can check how many watts a refrigerator uses by looking for the energy guide label. Depending on the brand and model, this can either be found on the back or the inside door.
Tips for Saving Energy with Your Refrigerator
There are several hacks for making sure your refrigerator watts are put to good use.
- Keep the door closed as much as possible.
- Make sure to regularly clean the coils to keep the compressor from overworking.
- If possible, avoid placing a refrigerator near “hot spots” in the kitchen. That includes near other frequently used appliances like a wall oven, dishwasher, or range. With that said, it’s also important to keep ambient temperatures in the kitchen at cooler temperatures to prevent a fridge from having to consume more energy to cool back down.
- Learn how to keep your fridge contents organized so you can find items fast and shut the door quick.
- Purchase an energy efficient refrigerator.
Recommended Energy-Efficient Refrigerators
Now that you can scratch off “how many watts does a refrigerator use” from your search list, let’s take a look at some of the most energy efficient refrigerator picks Seattle shoppers will find.
Beko 13.5 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter Depth Top Freezer Refrigerator
The modest capacity of this Beko refrigerator alone is enough to help reduce wasted energy but true to Beko and its mission for sustainability, this efficient fridge also offers some eco-friendly features. The NeoFrost Cooling Technology uses express cooling to get contents to optimum temperatures faster, keeping the compressor from working longer than it has to. Meanwhile, the exclusive Active Fresh Blue Light uses specialized blue light similar in the photosynthesis process to extend the life of produce up to 30 percent—just another way to save.
Featured Beko BFTF2716SS refrigerator review: “Great size, lots of storage options, cools very well, and has a nifty blue light at the bottom.”
➝ Learn More: Beko Refrigerator Reviews: Energy Efficient Refrigeration
Samsung 17.5 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator
If your household needs more food storage than an apartment fridge but not quite as much as a large-capacity refrigerator, this Samsung refrigerator is what we recommend. Equipped with an ENERGY STAR certified label, you can count on this French door refrigerator to keep watt use to a minimum, even with Twin Cooling technology that provides individual temperature controls for the fridge and freezer compartments. While not suited for every household, over 500 buyer reviews feel this model is just right for their needs.
Featured Samsung RF18A5101SR refrigerator review: “Nice price level and a very good fridge for that price.”
➝ Learn More: Revolutionizing Food Storage: Samsung Refrigerators + Reviews
Liebherr 12.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
Despite being a splurge, even luxury refrigerators can be efficient. Take this Liebherr refrigerator, for instance. It uses premium German engineering to keep cold air locked in tight, and with DuoCooling technology, internal conditions remain constant for longer, preventing compressor overtime and preserving the life of produce.
➝ Learn More: A Guide to Shopping Liebherr Refrigerators
With your new knowledge of how many watts does a refrigerator use under your belt, you’re ready to find an energy efficient fridge that will cut your utility bill down. Keep in mind the main takeaways we’ve discussed today: fridge configuration matters, size matters, and features matter. But just in case you need a little advice, Albert Lee Appliance is glad to help. We have a full stock of efficient refrigerators you can browse online, or you can also visit one of our Seattle appliance stores where we can help answer all the questions you have about high-efficiency refrigerators.
Why Trust Albert Lee?
Since 1939, Albert Lee Appliance, a three-generation, family-owned business, continues to grow and serve the greater Seattle area with quality you can count on and service you can trust. We are proud to have served this community for so long and wouldn’t be here without our loyal customers. There is a reason why we are Washington’s largest independent appliance dealer, and it’s not a secret. Simply put: We have the experience. We are the original appliance experts for over eight decades (and counting).
Shop Energy-Efficient Refrigerators at Albert Lee
At Albert Lee Appliance, we provide quality name-brand appliances for great prices. Shop refrigerators online or visit us today at one of our six locations in Puget Sound, WA. In the meantime, browse our website to shop Albert Lee appliance sales and check out Albert Lee appliance reviews online to ensure every purchase is an informed one. More available than ever, our experts at Albert Lee Appliance are always happy to help answer questions you might have such as “how many watts does a refrigerator use?” and more whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Contact us today!
Learn More: Energy Efficient Refrigerators ID: A Guide + Reviews
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