A typical home refrigerator uses between 350 and 780 watts of electricity when running at full power. This range depends on factors such as the fridge's size, age, and energy efficiency, with older or larger models generally consuming more power
. However, refrigerators do not run their compressors continuously. They cycle on and off throughout the day, so the average power usage is about one-third of the maximum wattage. For example, a refrigerator rated at 517 watts running continuously would average around 172 watts over time
. In practical terms, the average refrigerator uses roughly 100 to 250 watts during compressor operation, but the typical running wattage averaged over time is often closer to 150 to 200 watts. This translates to daily energy consumption of about 3 to 6 kWh depending on the model and usage
. To estimate your specific refrigerator's wattage:
- Check the label inside or on the back for voltage (usually 120V) and amperage.
- Multiply volts by amps to get wattage.
- Divide by 3 to estimate average running wattage due to compressor cycling
In summary:
- Typical wattage range: 350–780 watts (running compressor)
- Average running wattage: about 100–250 watts
- Daily energy use: approximately 3–6 kWh
This information helps in managing energy consumption and estimating electricity costs or solar power needs for your refrigerator
