Garage refrigerator: electricity cost calculator
Quick answer: a typical garage refrigerator costs about $11/month while in use at the U.S. average electricity price (18.16¢/kWh) — about $133 per year. Your number depends on wattage, runtime and your state — calculate it below.
Second refrigerators are typically 10–20 years old and sit in unconditioned garages, where summer heat forces long compressor runtimes. Many cost more to run per year than a new unit costs to buy over its life.
2.00 kWh/day used · 61 kWh/month in use · 731 kWh/year at 18.16¢ per kWh
Low, typical and heavy use
Monthly cost while in use, at the U.S. average price of 18.16¢/kWh.
| Scenario | Watts | Hours/day | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light use | 120 W | 6.0 h | $3.98 |
| Typical | 200 W | 10.0 h | $11.05 |
| Heavy use | 350 W | 15.0 h | $29.02 |
Common questions
Is keeping the old fridge in the garage worth it?
Run the numbers: an old unit at 200 W effective draw costs $250+ per year in a warm state. If it holds a case of soda and some leftovers, a smaller efficient unit — or none — usually wins.
Cost in every state
Monthly cost of a typical garage refrigerator (200 W, 10h/day) at each state's average residential price, August 2026.
| State | Avg price | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $9.94 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $17.90 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $9.16 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $8.75 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $18.11 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $10.45 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $14.92 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $11.38 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $15.82 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $9.13 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $9.68 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $28.72 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $8.14 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $11.76 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $10.36 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $10.39 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $9.42 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $8.40 |
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $7.83 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $19.55 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $13.03 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $18.55 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $14.00 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $10.47 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $8.78 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $9.75 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $9.48 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $8.24 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $7.74 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $16.83 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $14.98 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $10.05 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $17.44 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $9.10 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $8.10 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $11.80 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $9.02 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $9.69 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $13.25 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $17.15 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $9.59 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $9.22 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $8.17 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $9.69 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $8.10 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $14.51 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $10.74 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $8.91 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $9.93 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $11.82 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $8.78 |
Related calculators
Refrigerator Runs 24/7, but the compressor only works part-time.
~150 W · 8h/day →
Upright freezer Frost-free convenience costs extra energy.
~120 W · 8h/day →
Chest freezer The cheapest cold storage per cubic foot.
~90 W · 8h/day →
Microwave High draw, short bursts — cheaper than the oven for small jobs.
~1,100 W · 0.25h/day →
Electric oven Preheating and long bakes are where the money goes.
~2,400 W · 1h/day →
Electric stove burner A large coil burner on high is a 3 kW load.
~2,000 W · 1h/day →
Methodology & sources
Cost = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × price per kWh. Electricity prices are average residential prices by state from the EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (August 2026). EIA averages include delivery charges and taxes but are not any specific utility tariff — for an exact figure, use the rate from your own bill. Wattage presets reflect common product ranges; check your appliance's nameplate or a plug-in power meter for its true draw.
Last verified: October 24, 2026. Prices refresh automatically each month when EIA publishes new data.