Cost to run a refrigerator in California
About $156.38 a year for a typical model, at the California average of 32.58 cents per kWh.
How California compares
The same refrigerator costs $87.31 a year at the U.S. average rate, so in California you pay $69.07 more. See the California electricity rate for the full picture.
Efficient or high-use: the range in California
| Model type | kWh per year | Per year | Over 10 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient | 333 | $108.49 | $1,084.91 |
| Typical | 480 | $156.38 | $1,563.84 |
| High use | 699 | $227.73 | $2,277.34 |
Between the efficient and the high-use model, the difference in California adds up to about $1,192.43 over 10 years. Full-size models with a top freezer, bottom freezer or side-by-side doors.
Models that cost the least to run in California
| Model | Details | kWh per year | Cost per year in California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midea MRW14B2ABB | Top Freezer, 1.5 | 121 | $39.42 |
| Honeywell H34WCB | Top Freezer, 3.3 | 143 | $46.59 |
| Fisher & Paykel RB2470BRV2 | Bottom Freezer, 9.4 | 200 | $65.16 |
| Absocold ARD1033FB21R/L | Top Freezer, 10.0 | 263 | $85.69 |
| Absocold ARD1033FS21R/L | Top Freezer, 10.0 | 263 | $85.69 |
| Absocold ARD1033FW21R/L | Top Freezer, 10.0 | 263 | $85.69 |
| MicroFridge 10.0LMF4R | Top Freezer, 10.0 | 263 | $85.69 |
| MicroFridge 10.0LMF4RW | Top Freezer, 10.0 | 263 | $85.69 |
| MicroFridge 10.0RMF4R | Top Freezer, 10.0 | 263 | $85.69 |
| MicroFridge 10.0RMF4RW | Top Freezer, 10.0 | 263 | $85.69 |
See refrigerators in all states
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a refrigerator in California?
About $156.38 a year, or $13.03 a month, for a typical ENERGY STAR certified model that uses 480 kWh a year at the California average rate of 32.58 cents per kWh.
Is that more or less than in other states?
It is $69.07 a year more than the same refrigerator at the U.S. average rate. California ranks 2 of 51 for electricity price, where 1 is the most expensive.
How much can an efficient refrigerator save in California?
Over 10 years, a model in the most efficient 10% costs about $1,192.43 less to run in California than a model in the 10% that use the most, at today's rate.
Same refrigerator, nearby in the ranking
- Hawaii $222.77 a year
- Maine $145.10 a year
- Massachusetts $144.91 a year
Other appliances in California
- Mini fridges in California
- Freezers in California
- Dishwashers in California
- Clothes washers in California
- Clothes dryers in California
- Dehumidifiers in California
- Room air conditioners in California
- Televisions in California
How we get these numbers: yearly electricity use comes from the ENERGY STAR certified product lists, measured with the federal test procedure. The rate is the average residential price the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports for each state, January to August 2026. Your own bill depends on your utility, your plan and how you use the appliance. See sources.