How much does it cost to run a side-by-side refrigerator?

Data checked October 2026

Short answer

The average new side-by-side refrigerator uses 636 kWh a year — about $116 a year or $9.64 a month at the U.S. average of 18.19¢/kWh.

That's the average of 123 ENERGY STAR certified side-by-side refrigerator models: 1.74 kWh and $0.32 a day, an average draw of about 73 W as the compressor cycles.
Its EnergyGuide label would say $89.04 a year — it prices electricity at 14¢/kWh, not today's 18.19¢.
It uses 270 kWh a year more than an average top-freezer model — $49.11 a year.
In North Dakota it costs $79.25 a year; in Hawaii $295.
An older unit can use much more than these new-model averages — a plug-in meter left on for 2–3 days tells you exactly.

Adjust it to your exact job

Your refrigerator or freezer

Type

Energy use from

Average of 123 ENERGY STAR certified models: 636 kWh a year. Older units often use more — measure yours to know.

How many?

A second fridge or freezer in the garage counts too.

Electricity rate

Where you live

Price per kWh

EIA's state average: total residential revenue ÷ kWh sold, so delivery and fixed monthly charges are spread over every kWh.

Typical new side-by-side costs

$9.64a month

636 kWh a year · $116 a year · $0.32 a day

At 18.19¢/kWh — U.S. average, Jan–Aug 2026 (EIA).

Per year: $116636 kWh
Per day: $0.321.74 kWh
Average draw: 73Wcompressor cycles on and off
Label at 14¢: $89.04what the yellow tag would say

Cost by period
Period	kWh	Cost
Per hour (avg)	0.073	$0.01
Per day	1.74	$0.32
Per month	53	$9.64
Per year	636	$116

Other styles at this rate

Yearly cost of ENERGY STAR average models
Type	kWh/yr	Per year
French door	557	$101
Top freezer	366	$66.58
Side-by-side	636	$116
Freezerless	284	$51.66
Mini fridge	257	$46.75
Wine cooler	178	$32.38
Chest freezer	263	$47.84
Upright freezer	450	$81.86
Compact freezer	259	$47.11

How to cut it

Measure an old fridge with a plug-in meter (a Kill A Watt handles up to 15 A) before deciding to replace it.
Keep door gaskets clean and sealing, and vacuum the condenser coils if they're exposed.
A garage fridge works harder in summer heat; one you don't need is pure cost.

Energy budget

636 kWh Side-by-side refrigerator — electricity per year18.19¢/kWh$116

Estimated total$116

Did this answer your question?

Compare

Side-by-side: yearly running cost in the cheapest and priciest states

State	¢/kWh	Per month	Per year
Hawaii	46.41	$24.60	$295
California	32.58	$17.27	$207
Maine	30.23	$16.02	$192
Massachusetts	30.19	$16.00	$192
U.S. average	18.19	$9.64	$116
Utah	13.19	$6.99	$83.89
Idaho	13.02	$6.90	$82.81
Nebraska	12.92	$6.85	$82.17
North Dakota	12.46	$6.60	$79.25

How this was worked out

636 kWh × 18.19¢ = $116 a year; ÷ 12 = $9.64 a month. The kWh figure comes from the federal test behind the EnergyGuide label, so it already includes the compressor cycling on and off.

Prices are EIA's U.S. average for Jan–Aug 2026; choose your state in the calculator.

The full method, material data and tips are on the main refrigerator cost calculator page.

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Sources

Data behind this answer

ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators and freezers (datasets) — average kWh/yr by configuration; freezers from dataset 8t9c-g3tn · checked October 2026
EIA Electric Power Monthly, Tables 5.6.A & 5.6.B — residential price by state (August 2026) — latest month and Jan–Aug 2026 year-to-date average for every state; preliminary, refreshed monthly · checked October 2026
Federal Register 2022-22036 — EnergyGuide label cost figures — labels since Jan 10, 2023 assume 14¢/kWh · checked October 2026
P3 International Kill A Watt P4400 — plug-in meter up to 15 A / 1,875 VA for measuring real kWh · checked October 2026
EIA Electric Power Monthly technical notes — average price = revenue ÷ sales, including fixed customer charges, fuel adjustments and surcharges · checked October 2026

Short answer

The average new side-by-side refrigerator uses 636 kWh a year — about $116 a year or $9.64 a month at the U.S. average of 18.19¢/kWh.

That's the average of 123 ENERGY STAR certified side-by-side refrigerator models: 1.74 kWh and $0.32 a day, an average draw of about 73 W as the compressor cycles.

Its EnergyGuide label would say $89.04 a year — it prices electricity at 14¢/kWh, not today's 18.19¢.

It uses 270 kWh a year more than an average top-freezer model — $49.11 a year.

In North Dakota it costs $79.25 a year; in Hawaii $295.

An older unit can use much more than these new-model averages — a plug-in meter left on for 2–3 days tells you exactly.

Adjust it to your exact job

Your refrigerator or freezer

Type

Energy use from

Average of 123 ENERGY STAR certified models: 636 kWh a year. Older units often use more — measure yours to know.

How many?

A second fridge or freezer in the garage counts too.

Electricity rate

Where you live

Price per kWh

EIA's state average: total residential revenue ÷ kWh sold, so delivery and fixed monthly charges are spread over every kWh.

Typical new side-by-side costs

$9.64a month

636 kWh a year · $116 a year · $0.32 a day

At 18.19¢/kWh — U.S. average, Jan–Aug 2026 (EIA).

Per year: $116636 kWh
Per day: $0.321.74 kWh
Average draw: 73Wcompressor cycles on and off
Label at 14¢: $89.04what the yellow tag would say

Cost by period
Period	kWh	Cost
Per hour (avg)	0.073	$0.01
Per day	1.74	$0.32
Per month	53	$9.64
Per year	636	$116

Other styles at this rate

Yearly cost of ENERGY STAR average models
Type	kWh/yr	Per year
French door	557	$101
Top freezer	366	$66.58
Side-by-side	636	$116
Freezerless	284	$51.66
Mini fridge	257	$46.75
Wine cooler	178	$32.38
Chest freezer	263	$47.84
Upright freezer	450	$81.86
Compact freezer	259	$47.11

How to cut it

Measure an old fridge with a plug-in meter (a Kill A Watt handles up to 15 A) before deciding to replace it.
Keep door gaskets clean and sealing, and vacuum the condenser coils if they're exposed.
A garage fridge works harder in summer heat; one you don't need is pure cost.

Energy budget

636 kWh Side-by-side refrigerator — electricity per year18.19¢/kWh$116

Estimated total$116

State

¢/kWh

Per month

Per year

Hawaii

46.41

$24.60

$295

California

32.58

$17.27

$207

Maine

30.23

$16.02

$192

Massachusetts

30.19

$16.00

$192

U.S. average

18.19

$9.64

$116

Utah

13.19

$6.99

$83.89

Idaho

13.02

$6.90

$82.81

Nebraska

12.92

$6.85

$82.17

North Dakota

12.46

$6.60

$79.25

How this was worked out

636 kWh × 18.19¢ = $116 a year; ÷ 12 = $9.64 a month. The kWh figure comes from the federal test behind the EnergyGuide label, so it already includes the compressor cycling on and off.

Prices are EIA's U.S. average for Jan–Aug 2026; choose your state in the calculator.

The full method, material data and tips are on the main refrigerator cost calculator page.