How much does it cost to run a fridge?

The answer starts from the official energy figure on the energy rating label. This page uses the median of every fridge registered for sale in New Zealand in our dataset, then scales it to your usage and your electricity price. Change the assumptions to match your home.

Short answer. The median fridge registered for sale in New Zealand has 276 kWh a year on its label. At the label figure and 33c/kWh, that is about $91 a year. Half of the models on the market fall between $48 and $119 at the same usage.

Where to find the numbers

The annual kWh (comparative energy consumption) is on the energy rating label. Your electricity price is the unit rate on your bill (c/kWh).

What the figure is based on

A fridge runs all the time, so the label figure is the whole year at the standard test conditions (a 32 °C test chamber). A hot kitchen, frequent door opening or a warm garage push real use above the label; a cool room pulls it below.

What changes the cost

• Room temperature: a fridge in a hot kitchen, a sunny spot or an uninsulated garage uses more; every degree of ambient temperature matters.
• Thermostat setting: colder than needed (below about 3–4 °C fridge, −18 °C freezer) costs more for no benefit.
• Door seals and door opening: a damaged seal or a door held open lets cold air out continuously.
• How full it is: a well-stocked fridge holds temperature better than an empty one; an overfilled one blocks airflow.
• Age and frost: older models and iced-up freezers use more than their original label figure.

Compare fridges by energy use and running cost to see every model behind this figure, or find the cheapest fridge to run for your size.

For a specific model or any other appliance, use the electricity cost calculator.