What Is the Wattage of a Small Fridge?

Definitions

• Though large home refrigerators can hold 24.5 cubic feet or more, the capacity of a small fridge is under 16.5 cubic feet. The federal government defines energy use of these and most household appliances in terms of a kilowatt (kWh) hour. This is equal to one thousand watts per hour, and is typically specified as used over a month or a year. For example, according to the Department of Energy as of 2009, the average monthly kWh usage in the U.S. was 920. California had the lowest monthly average at 587 kWh, while Louisiana had the highest at 1,252 kWh. Many power companies also bill electricity use in kWh increments.

Year

• One of the big factors in the wattage of small fridges is the year of manufacture. In general, later model units have more efficient wattage use per cubic foot because of better technology and greater insulation. Small fridges before 1980 used an average 1,831 kWh annually. From 1980 to 1989, annual kWh descended to 1,413, and from 1990 to 1992, kWh dropped again to 1,062. From 1993 to 2000, small refrigerators used 715 kWh per year, and from 2000 onward, yearly kWh was 459.

Type

• The type of refrigerator also affects wattage. Assuming a model year from 2001 to 2008, a two-door model with the freezer at the top used 459 kWh per year, while one with the freezer at the bottom used more energy at 568 kWh per year. A side-by-side used even more power at 608 kWh per year, while wattage dropped for a one-door upright to 662 kWh. A freezer chest used the least energy of all at 404 kWh per year, most likely because it was opened far less frequently than other types.

Examples

• The Sears website shows specific examples of 2011 models and their wattages. A 1.8-cubic-foot Hello Kitty fridge uses 315 kWh per year. A GE 6-cubic-foot Compact Refrigerator is rated at 360 kWh per year. A Whirlpool 9.6-cubic-foot Top Freezer Refrigerator runs at 386 kWh per year.