How Much Does a Second Refrigerator Add to Your Electric Bill?

A second refrigerator can add approximately $5 to $25 per month to an electric bill, depending on its age, annual energy consumption, location, and local electricity rate. An efficient newer model may have a relatively small impact, while an old refrigerator operating in a hot garage can cost considerably more.

The most accurate estimate comes from the refrigerator’s annual kilowatt-hour rating, your electricity price, or a direct measurement with a plug-in electricity meter.

Second Refrigerator Cost at a Glance

The following examples use an electricity rate of $0.20 per kilowatt-hour. These are illustrative calculations, not guaranteed consumption figures for every refrigerator.

250 kWh per year

About 20.8 kWh per month, costing approximately $4.17 per month or $50 per year.

400 kWh per year

About 33.3 kWh per month, costing approximately $6.67 per month or $80 per year.

600 kWh per year

About 50 kWh per month, costing approximately $10 per month or $120 per year.

900 kWh per year

About 75 kWh per month, costing approximately $15 per month or $180 per year.

1,200 kWh per year

About 100 kWh per month, costing approximately $20 per month or $240 per year.

A refrigerator that uses 600 kWh per year would therefore add about $10 per month at $0.20 per kWh. At a higher electricity rate, the same appliance would cost more even though its energy consumption had not changed.

How to Calculate the Cost of a Second Refrigerator

Use this formula:

Annual cost = annual electricity use in kWh × electricity rate per kWh

For example, suppose the refrigerator uses 700 kWh per year and electricity costs $0.20 per kWh:

700 kWh × $0.20 = $140 per year

Divide the annual result by 12 to estimate the monthly cost:

$140 ÷ 12 = $11.67 per month

You can use the WattBasis Electricity Cost Calculator to test different consumption levels and electricity rates.

Cost at Different Electricity Rates

Electricity prices vary significantly by state, utility company, and rate plan. The same refrigerator can therefore have very different operating costs in different households.

Refrigerator using 250 kWh per year

• At $0.15 per kWh: $37.50 per year

• At $0.20 per kWh: $50 per year

• At $0.30 per kWh: $75 per year

Refrigerator using 400 kWh per year

• At $0.15 per kWh: $60 per year

• At $0.20 per kWh: $80 per year

• At $0.30 per kWh: $120 per year

Refrigerator using 600 kWh per year

• At $0.15 per kWh: $90 per year

• At $0.20 per kWh: $120 per year

• At $0.30 per kWh: $180 per year

Refrigerator using 900 kWh per year

• At $0.15 per kWh: $135 per year

• At $0.20 per kWh: $180 per year

• At $0.30 per kWh: $270 per year

Refrigerator using 1,200 kWh per year

• At $0.15 per kWh: $180 per year

• At $0.20 per kWh: $240 per year

• At $0.30 per kWh: $360 per year

Check your utility bill rather than relying only on a national average. Our guide to finding your electricity rate explains which number to use in the calculation.

Why an Old Second Refrigerator May Cost More

Many households move an older kitchen refrigerator into the garage or basement after buying a replacement. This avoids wasting a functional appliance, but it can create a continuous electricity expense.

ENERGY STAR states that refrigerators over 15 years old may cost about $95 per year to operate and that an old refrigerator uses about 20% more energy on average than a model that has earned the ENERGY STAR label. Actual consumption can still vary considerably by size, design, condition, and location.

Older refrigerators may also have:

• Less effective insulation

• Worn or loose door seals

• Less efficient compressors

• Dirty condenser coils

• Outdated defrost systems

• Ice buildup or temperature-control problems

Because a refrigerator operates throughout the year, even a modest efficiency difference can accumulate into a meaningful annual cost.

Does a Garage Refrigerator Use More Electricity?

It can. Refrigerators release heat into the surrounding area and must work against the room’s temperature. A refrigerator in a hot garage may run its compressor more frequently than the same unit inside a climate-controlled kitchen.

The effect depends on:

• Garage temperature

• Direct sunlight

• Ventilation around the refrigerator

• Manufacturer-approved operating range

• Condition of the door gasket

• Amount of food stored inside

• Frequency of door openings

Cold garages can also cause problems for refrigerators that were not designed for low ambient temperatures. The refrigerator compartment may become cold enough that the thermostat runs the compressor less often, potentially affecting the freezer compartment.

Check the owner’s manual before operating a refrigerator in an unconditioned garage. A “garage-ready” model is designed to tolerate a wider ambient temperature range, but it still consumes electricity.

How to Find Your Refrigerator’s Energy Use

Check the EnergyGuide Label

A newer refrigerator may have a yellow EnergyGuide label showing estimated annual electricity use in kilowatt-hours. Use the annual kWh figure, not only the estimated dollar amount.

The dollar estimate on the label uses standardized assumptions. Your actual cost depends on your electricity rate and how the refrigerator is used.

Read our guide on how to understand an EnergyGuide label if you are unsure which figure to use.

Search for the Model Number

The model number is commonly located:

• On an interior wall

• Around the door frame

• Behind a crisper drawer

• On the rear identification plate

Search the manufacturer’s documentation for an energy specification or EnergyGuide label associated with the exact model.

Measure It With a Plug-In Meter

A plug-in electricity meter can measure the refrigerator’s actual consumption. Because refrigerator compressors cycle on and off, a brief reading may be misleading.

Measure it for at least several days and, if possible, for a full week. Then calculate an average daily consumption.

Estimated annual kWh = average daily kWh × 365

Our plug-in meter guide explains how to take a more representative measurement.

Is Keeping a Second Refrigerator Worth It?

That depends on how much you use it and what it costs to operate.

Keeping it may make sense if it:

• Stores food for a large household

• Reduces frequent grocery trips

• Provides useful space during holidays

• Supports bulk food preparation

• Is efficient and regularly used

It may not be worthwhile if it:

• Is mostly empty

• Stores only a few drinks

• Is over 15 years old

• Has damaged seals or mechanical problems

• Runs in an extremely hot location

• Adds more annual cost than the convenience is worth

Compare its annual operating cost with the value it provides. Spending $150 or $200 every year to cool a mostly empty appliance may not be a good tradeoff.

Second Refrigerator vs. Chest Freezer

If the additional appliance is primarily used for frozen food, a chest freezer may be a better alternative. Chest freezers generally lose less cold air when opened because cold air remains lower inside the cabinet.

However, the best choice depends on the specific models. Compare the annual kWh figures on their EnergyGuide labels rather than assuming that every freezer is more efficient.

You can also review our guide to freezer electricity use before making the comparison.

Ways to Reduce the Cost

Set an Appropriate Temperature

Keep the refrigerator between 35°F and 38°F, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Setting it unnecessarily cold can increase energy consumption.

Check the Door Seal

A damaged or dirty gasket allows cold air to escape. Clean the seal and check whether the door closes tightly around the entire frame.

Leave Space for Ventilation

Avoid pushing the refrigerator tightly against the wall. Follow the manufacturer’s clearance requirements so heat can dissipate properly.

Keep the Coils Clean

Dust on accessible condenser coils can reduce heat transfer. Unplug the refrigerator and follow its manual before cleaning them.

Avoid Heat Sources

Keep the appliance away from direct sunlight, water heaters, dryers, and other sources of heat whenever possible.

Turn It Off When It Is Not Needed

If the refrigerator is used only for parties or seasonal storage, emptying, cleaning, drying, and unplugging it during long periods of non-use may provide the largest saving.

Do not simply switch off a closed refrigerator containing moisture. Leave the door safely propped open to help prevent mold and odors.

Should You Replace the Second Refrigerator?

Replacement is worth considering when the appliance is old, unreliable, poorly sealed, or expensive to operate.

Before buying a new refrigerator, compare:

1. The existing refrigerator’s measured annual cost

2. The new model’s EnergyGuide consumption

3. Purchase and delivery costs

4. Expected years of use

5. Available recycling programs or rebates

For example, replacing an appliance that costs $200 per year with one that costs $80 per year would produce an estimated operating saving of $120 per year.

That does not automatically mean replacement is financially worthwhile. The purchase price and expected lifespan must also be considered.

ENERGY STAR recommends properly recycling an old refrigerator instead of leaving it connected as an inefficient second unit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a second refrigerator add to an electric bill?

A second refrigerator may add roughly $5 to $25 per month, although an efficient compact model could cost less and an inefficient old unit in difficult conditions could cost more. Use its annual kWh consumption and your electricity rate for a personalized result.

Does an empty refrigerator use more electricity?

A completely empty refrigerator has less thermal mass to help stabilize its temperature when the door opens. However, overfilling it can obstruct airflow. The appliance should have enough space for cold air to circulate properly.

Can I unplug my second refrigerator during winter?

Yes, if it is empty and not needed. Clean and dry it first, then leave the door safely open to prevent moisture, mold, and odors. Follow the manufacturer’s storage instructions.

Is a garage refrigerator expensive to run?

It can be, especially if the garage becomes very hot and the appliance is old or not designed for that environment. Measure its consumption during warm weather for a more realistic estimate.

How can I tell whether the second refrigerator is causing a high bill?

Measure it with a plug-in electricity meter, calculate its monthly cost, and compare the result with your bill. If your total bill increased suddenly, also investigate changes in electricity rates, weather, HVAC use, and other major appliances.

Bottom Line

A second refrigerator is a year-round electrical load. At $0.20 per kWh, an appliance consuming 600 kWh annually adds approximately $120 per year, while one consuming 1,200 kWh adds approximately $240 per year.

Check the EnergyGuide label or measure the appliance directly before deciding whether the additional storage is worth the cost. If the refrigerator is old, mostly empty, or operating in a hot garage, unplugging or replacing it may produce a noticeable saving.