Cost to run a fridge
Illustrative cost per use£0.26
Energy per use0.96 kWh
Power assumption40W
Cost at different tariffs
- 20p/kWh
- £0.19 per use
- 25p/kWh
- £0.24 per use
- 27p/kWh
- £0.26 per use
- 30p/kWh
- £0.29 per use
- 35p/kWh
- £0.34 per use
What changes this appliance’s cost?
A fridge runs all day but its compressor cycles on and off. Room temperature, door opening, ventilation gaps and thermostat setting determine the duty cycle.
At the illustration above, one use consumes 0.96 kWh. Five uses would cost about £1.30 and twenty uses about £5.18 at 27p/kWh. Your unit rate and measured consumption produce the most useful estimate.
How this example is calculated
Energy equals watts ÷ 1,000 × hours used. The headline uses 27p/kWh and excludes the daily standing charge.
Last reviewed: 15 July 2026 · Ofgem: Energy price cap ↗
Results are estimates for planning and are not personal financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
Will every model cost the same?
No. Rated power, cycle length and efficiency differ by model and programme.
Is the standing charge included?
No. This example measures the appliance's incremental unit-rate cost.