When the power goes out, one of the first things a lot of people start to worry about is the refrigerator. The smart thing is to open the door as little as possible to keep it cold and prevent food from going bad. An even smarter choice is preparing a backup power supply ahead of time to make sure the refrigerator will keep working without anything terrible happening in case of an outage.

So, how many watts of electricity does it take to run a refrigerator, and are there ways to reduce power consumption?

This article will comprehensively explain, from refrigerator wattage usage to reduction in power consumption, what to expect during a power outage and share some tips on how to determine the right generator wattage that will help you cope easily with the operational needs of your refrigerator during such an incident.

How many watts do refrigerators use?

Household refrigerators typically draw between 300 and 800 watts, about 3 to 6 amps, and usually 120 volts, though these numbers can vary depending on the age and size of the refrigerator. To find out the exact current and voltage of your refrigerator, check the manufacturer’s label on the main compartment or door inside the refrigerator. To calculate average power, simply multiply the voltage and current.

The power consumption of a refrigerator also depends on the brand and model. For example, a side-by-side refrigerator and freezer consume more power because the freezer has to produce more cold air and has a smaller space, but the power difference between the two is not much.

On average, a refrigerator costs about $235 per year, which converts to about $20 a month. Electricity costs are calculated in something called kilowatt-hours; 1 kilowatt-hour is equal to 1,000 watt-hours. The average use of electricity for a refrigerator is about 4 kilowatt-hours per day.

How to Estimate Refrigerator Electricity Consumption

Method 1: Check the voltage and current labels on the refrigerator.

On the inner side of the refrigerator door frame or on the back panel near the socket, there is usually marked a “voltage-current curve” or “voltage-current rating label” with labels of voltage in V, current in A, and frequency in Hz, multiply them together to obtain the power of the refrigerator. Because it operates all day long, the estimated wattage is to be divided by three to calculate the average power consumption. Example: 115 V x 4.5 A = 517.5 watts / 3 = 172.5 watts average power consumption. To calculate how much electricity the refrigerator consumes in a day: multiply the average power consumption by 24 hours, i.e., 172.5 watts times 24, equals 4,140 watt-hours, which is 4.14 kilowatt-hours.

Method 2: Check the Energy Guide label on your refrigerator.

All appliances are required to have a yellow Energy Guide label that shows how much electricity the unit will use in a year and the estimated yearly operating cost. Estimate your refrigerator’s wattage by dividing the annual consumption on the Energy Guide by 365 days to get daily consumption, dividing daily consumption by 24 hours to get average hourly energy use, and then multiplying that value by 3 to arrive at the approximate wattage of the refrigerator. For example, if the expected annual operating cost of a refrigerator is 630 kWh, which translates to 630,000 watts, divide by 365 days to get about 1,726 watts per day, then divide by 24 hours to get about 72 watts per hour, and multiply by 3 to estimate the wattage of the refrigerator to be about 216 watts.

Factors Affecting Refrigerator Energy Consumption

Some factors that would most likely affect the energy efficiency of a refrigerator are as follows:

Age: Older refrigerators tend to be less energy-efficient due to old components and poor insulation. Newer models boast a new technology that includes energy-saving features, using as much as 40% less energy than models from 10-15 years ago.

Size: The larger the interior of a high-capacity refrigerator, the more energy is used to cool it. For example, a French door refrigerator with a capacity of over 25 cubic feet will consume more electricity compared to a small top freezer model with less than 15 cubic feet.

Energy Efficiency Ratings: ENERGY STAR-rated refrigerators are designed to be highly efficient, with advanced insulation and compressors that use up to 15 percent less energy than standard models. Features: Other features makers and water dispensers, digital displays, and smart technology also drive up energy consumption. For example, with smart fridges, just the added components alone, such as Wi-Fi connectivity and cameras, jack up energy use.

Temperature Settings: Setting the refrigerator and freezer temperatures too low increases the workload for the compressor, which in turn raises power consumption. Suggested temperature settings are between 35°F-38°F for refrigerators and set at 0°F for freezers.

Location and climate: Putting a refrigerator in a hot or humid environment-such as  especially in a warm climate, requires more energy to keep up the inside temperature.

Can a battery generator power the refrigerator?

Of course, it is possible, and a refrigerator is far easier to power with a battery generator.

The Huijue Group NEO1500 Prois a 1382Wh portable power station equipped with 1.3 hours of fast charging, 5 charging options, durable LiFePO4 batteries, a built-in reliable UPS system, and a variety of cables. It can power your refrigerator and is flexible enough to be used while camping outdoors.

This portable power station is fitted with a high-capacity 1382Wh battery. Using fast-charging technology, this battery can be fully charged in 1.3 hours using only one cable. Its LFP battery can be recharged over 3,500 times before it reaches 80% capacity, which is equivalent to nearly 10 years of normal use.

Advanced BMS protection in NEO1500 Pro watches out for voltage, current, and temperature for the longevity of the battery. It’s versatile in charging-get it recharged in about 1.3 hours with AC power or even more efficiently with solar panels.

How to Choose a Battery-Powered Generator for a Refrigerator?

1.Estimate refrigerator power consumption:

The amount of power a refrigerator consumes depends on its model. An older model could consume up to double the amount used by a new, energy-efficient one. Check the label inside the refrigerator for the power requirements. Example: If you need 6.5 amps and plug into a 120V outlet, the average operating power is 780 watts.

2.Determine start-up power:

The refrigerator compressor requires more power to start up, and the start-up power is usually two to three times the average operating power. In this example, a 1,560– watt generator is required. Refer to the manufacturer’s manual for specific values.

3.Choose Hui Jue Group NEO1500 Pro :

The Hui Jue Group NEO1500 Pro generator is suitable for running a wide range of appliances, meeting the need for lower power costs or home backup power. Consider investing in a solar power generator, such as the Hui Jue Group NEO1500 Pro Solar Generator, with solar panels for more environmentally friendly and convenient use of renewable energy to power your home. It creates no noise, and no fumes, is easy to maintain, and can be used indoors and outdoors.

Can solar panels power your refrigerator also?

Yes, it takes 3 solar panels to run a refrigerator. The average operating power of a refrigerator is roughly in the range of 300 to 800 watts. A standard solar panel has an output of about 350 watts, so one to three solar panels are usually enough to meet the power needs of most refrigerators. However, at times of the day, refrigerators can consume less power than the average. However, the solar system should be designed to cope with high power demand during these peak hours, ensuring a steady supply of power during times of high refrigerator consumption, such as when the door is left open for long periods.