As a household staple, the low hum of a fridge is never far off, and as they’re typically always switched on, you’ll want to know how much these cooling devices are costing you. This Canstar Blue cost analysis determines how much it costs to run a refrigerator in Australia. We look at fridge power consumption costs by state, energy efficiency rating and fridge size. We’ll also determine if switching to a more energy-efficient model could save you a few dollars, plus we list some quick and easy ways to reduce fridge power usage.
How much electricity does a fridge use each year?
A fridge is one of the only household appliances that is switched on for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This means fridges consume a lot of power over the course of a year, and if you have more than one fridge in operation, it can add big bucks to your energy bills.
The exact amount of power that your fridge consumes each year will vary depending on the size, capacity and energy efficiency of your model. There are other smaller factors such as the type of fridge (e.g., top mounted or French door), and the temperature setting that may also impact the annual power consumption of your fridge.
As a general guide however, we have listed the average annual electricity usage of refrigerators in Australia based on the litre capacity below. As you might expect, it is the fridges with larger capacity sizes that typically use the most power within a year.
Average annual power consumption of refrigerators in Australia by capacity
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| Fridge Capacity | 300-400L | 400-500L | 500-600L | 600-700L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Annual Usage | 326kWh | 368kWh | 444kWh | 496kWh |
Source: www.canstarblue.com.au – 12/09/2024. Average energy consumption figures based on refrigerators listed in the Commonwealth of Australia E3 Program’s Registration database. Electricity usage cost estimates based on average electricity usage rates: 33.9 c/kWh in Sydney, 24.4 c/kWh in Melbourne, 32.7 c/kWh in Brisbane, 44.0 c/kWh in Adelaide, 31.6 c/kWh in Perth, 27.9 c/kWh in Hobart, 29.2 c/kWh in Darwin, 28.5 c/kWh in Canberra. Average electricity usage rates are based on single-rate, non-solar only plans on Canstar’s database, available for an annual usage of 4,373 kWh.
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Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid energy network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
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11% Less than reference price |
$1,614 Price/year (estimated) |
Go to Site |
Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
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10% Less than VDO |
$1,304 Price/year (estimated) |
Go to Site |
Here are some sponsored deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from our referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area and to see other products in our database that may be available. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
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4% Less than reference price |
$1,990 Price/year (estimated) |
Go to Site |
How much does it cost to run a fridge in Australia?
Running a fridge in Australia can cost anywhere from $80 to $218 in energy fees each year, depending on the size of the fridge and the house’s location. South Australians typically pay the highest electricity rates, so running a fridge in Adelaide will likely be more expensive than most other capital cities. Please note, these costs are based on the annual energy usage amounts calculated for each fridge size in the table above.
Annual estimated electricity costs for refrigerators per capital city
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| Capital City | 300-400L | 400-500L | 500-600L | 600-700L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canberra | $93 | $105 | $127 | $141 |
| Melbourne | $80 | $90 | $108 | $121 |
| Darwin | $95 | $107 | $130 | $145 |
| Hobart | $91 | $103 | $124 | $138 |
| Perth | $103 | $116 | $140 | $157 |
| Brisbane | $107 | $120 | $145 | $162 |
| Sydney | $1111 | $125 | $151 | $168 |
| Adelaide | $143 | $162 | $195 | $218 |
Source: www.canstarblue.com.au – 12/09/2024. Average energy consumption figures based on refrigerators listed in the Commonwealth of Australia E3 Program’s Registration database. Electricity usage cost estimates based on average electricity usage rates: 33.9 c/kWh in Sydney, 24.4 c/kWh in Melbourne, 32.7 c/kWh in Brisbane, 44.0 c/kWh in Adelaide, 31.6 c/kWh in Perth, 27.9 c/kWh in Hobart, 29.2 c/kWh in Darwin, 28.5 c/kWh in Canberra. Average electricity usage rates are based on single-rate, non-solar only plans on Canstar’s database, available for an annual usage of 4,373 kWh.
Will an energy-efficient fridge reduce my power consumption?
When it comes to energy-efficient appliances, many people recoil at the higher price tag, but it’s often the case that these types of appliances have some long-term benefits. The following table shows the difference in annual fridge running costs between models with varying energy-efficiency ratings.
Annual estimated electricity costs for refrigerators per star rating
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| Energy Rating | 300-400L | 400-500L | 500-600L | 600-700L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 to 2.5 Stars | $135 | $155 | $176 | $192 |
| 3 to 3.5 Stars | $107 | $131 | $145 | $165 |
| 4 to 4.5 Stars | $93 | $107 | $121 | $137 |
| 5 to 5.5 Stars | $80 | $89 | $105 | $123 |
Source: www.canstarblue.com.au – 12/09/2024. Average energy consumption figures based on refrigerators listed in the Commonwealth of Australia E3 Program’s Registration database. Electricity usage cost estimates based on the average electricity usage rate of 32.0 c/kWh. Average electricity usage rates are based on single-rate, non-solar only plans on Canstar’s database, available for an annual usage of 4,373 kWh.
Even switching from a two-star to a three-star rated fridge could save you between $24 and $31 a year in energy running costs, depending on the size of the model. The larger the fridge size, the more there could be to save on power consumption costs too, with our calculations showing a 500-600L refrigerator costing $71 less a year to run with a five-star to 5.5 rating as opposed to one with just two to 2.5 stars. While it may not seem like a big individual saving over a year, these costs can quickly add up, especially if you’re running two or more fridges in your home.
Compare cheap electricity deals now
If you’re on a dud energy plan, reducing your fridge’s running costs will only do so much for your bills. That’s why it’s important to regularly compare the cheapest electricity deals in your neighbourhood. For a range of quotes specific to your area, it’s best to use our free comparison tool.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
How can I reduce the cost of running my fridge?
It’s fair to say that most Australians own a fridge that’s constantly running, so it’s nearly impossible to reduce the majority of the operational costs. That being said, there are some minor changes you can make with your fridge habits to help reduce running costs.
- Ensure your fridge is well-ventilated: Most of the time fridges are placed within tight spaces, surrounded by walls and cabinets. This kind of confinement may mean your fridge has to work harder to maintain airflow if the space it is in is restricted.
- Keep an eye on temperature settings: It’s quite easy to accidentally nudge the thermostat on your fridge, which means it could be running at a temperature far colder than it needs to be. It pays to check on your thermostat every once and awhile. According to the CSIRO, the ideal temperature for a domestic fridge is three degrees Celsius, however, anything under five degrees is acceptable.
- Check sealing and conditions: If a fridge is poorly sealed, cold air can easily escape, meaning the fridge will have to work much harder to keep perishable items at an optimal temperature.
- Don’t stand with the fridge door open for too long: Similar to sealing, keeping the fridge door open for long periods of time will mean more energy will be needed to replace the cold air that has been lost. This might be worth noting if you have a nosy housemate, child or sibling that can’t keep their head out of the fridge for longer than three seconds.
- Consider consolidating fridges: Many Australians have a second fridge in their home and as a result, these households are paying double in running costs. If both fridges aren’t stacked to the max, it may be worth consolidating to one fridge and switching the other off.
The bottom line on fridge power consumption
Choosing the best fridge for your home will ultimately come down to a number of factors, from lifestyle to climate. That being said, there are some things you should consider when purchasing a new fridge, such as the type of fridge you actually need, the energy-efficiency rating, pricing and any additional features you may desire – i.e., smart controls.
To help you find the right fridge for you and your home, check out some of Canstar Blue’s best-rated refrigerators.
Image credit: New Africa/Shutterstock.com, LightField Studios/Shutterstock.com
Original article by Kelseigh Wrigley
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