How Many Watts Does A Refrigerator Use? Everything You Need To Know

Introduction

If you've ever wondered how many watts a refrigerator uses, then this post is for you. In this article, we'll explore how to determine how many watts your refrigerator uses. We'll also explain why it matters, and provide some tips on how to reduce the energy consumption of your refrigerator.

How many watts does a refrigerator use?

The average home refrigerator uses between 350-780 watts. Some refrigerators are more energy efficient than others, so you’ll want to check the label on yours or look it up online to see how much power it consumes.

The main component that determines how much electricity your fridge uses is its size and age—the older your fridge is, the more power it will require to keep everything cool inside! The other main factor in determining how much electricity is used by fridges is whether they have an ice dispenser and/or water filter (if this isn't obvious). If there's no ice and/or no water filter then obviously those components won't require any additional electricity beyond what's needed just to keep everything cool inside!

Estimate your refrigerator's power consumption

To find out your refrigerator’s power usage, you can use one of the following methods:

Method 1: Use your refrigerator’s volts and amps sticker. 

The best way to estimate your fridge's power consumption is by using its voltage (V), current (A), and frequency (Hz) ratings on a label called a “voltage-current curve” or “voltage-current rating label.” This sticker will be located on the inside of your refrigerator's door frame or on its back panel near where it plugs into an outlet. 

You can easily determine how much power your refrigerator uses by multiplying the voltage by the amps. However, as was previously indicated, refrigerators operate continuously throughout the day. Therefore, you must split the wattage of your device by 1/3 to determine its typical power consumption.

E.g. 115 volts (V)  x 4.5 amps (A)= 517.5 watts (wattage)

517.5 watts divided by 3  = 172.5 watts (average power usage)

To see how much power your fridge uses in a day: 

172.5 watts x 24 (hours a day) = 4,140 watt-hours, or 4.14 kilowatt-hours (daily power usage)

Method 2: Use your refrigerator’s energy guide sticker. 

All electrical equipment must bear a yellow energy guide sticker. This label is useful since it shows how much electricity the appliance consumes in a year, as well as an expected yearly operating cost.

To determine the wattage of your refrigerator, follow these steps:

Divide the energy guide's yearly power use by 365. (a year). This will give you your daily power use.

Finally, divide the daily energy consumption by 24. (hours in a day).

Now that you have the average hourly energy usage, multiply it by 3 to get the wattage.

For example, consider a refrigerator with an anticipated annual operating cost of 630 kilowatt-hours:

630 kilowatt-hours (kWh) multiplied by 1000* = 630,000 watts (W) divided by 365 = 986 watts divided by 24 = 41 watts multiplied by 3 = 123 watts (wattage)

How can you lower your refrigerator's energy consumption?

• Use a refrigerator thermometer. This will help you determine the temperature of your refrigerator's interior, which is important because if your storage temperatures are just 10°F lower than necessary, your refrigerator can use up to 25% more energy! Check our guide for The Perfect Temperature To Keep Food Fresh In The Freezer
• Clean your coils. The condenser coil in your refrigerator may need cleaning if it's covered in dust or lint buildup. This can not only increase electrical usage but also damage the unit over time by increasing friction between parts causing them to wear out faster than usual. The inside of your refrigerator will stay cool with less effort if you keep your coils clean since they can evacuate warm air more effectively.
• Don't keep the door open for long periods of time when you're not using it—this saves energy!
• Make sure your door seals aren't broken. A damaged door seal allows cold air to escape from your refrigerator. Your unit will then have to work harder to maintain the proper temperature. Not only would this increase your power bill, but it also means your fridge may be unable to keep your groceries at a safe temperature.

Best TCL energy-efficient refrigerators

If you’re looking for a refrigerator that will lower your energy consumption, TCL offers several  energy-efficient models, for example, P503SB and P470CD refrigerators are equipped with a Twin Eco Inverter that can provide 24h energy saving. Check for more TCL fridge models!

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many things to consider when the amount of energy is used in a refrigerator. If you're looking for one that's energy-efficient and eco-friendly, TCL has some great options. If there are any other questions we can answer about refrigerators or their power consumption, please feel free to reach out with the below information!

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