How much does it cost to run a fridge-freezer?

Why a fridge-freezer's wattage tells you so little

Energy Savers lists fridge-freezers at 200–400 W and National Energy Action's 2025 leaflet gives 100–300 W Typical (published). But a fridge-freezer never runs flat out for 24 hours. Its compressor switches on, cools the cabinet, then rests. Multiplying the rated watts by 24 hours would overstate the cost several times over.

The better number is on the energy label: kWh/annum, the electricity the appliance uses in a year under test conditions. Divide it by 8,760 hours and you get the average draw. The Samsung model with the lowest figure in our table, at 108 kWh a year, averages about 12 W.

Energy label figures and what they cost

We took these figures straight from the manufacturers' published energy labels. They're all on the current A–G scale, which has applied since 1 March 2021, according to the European Commission. Costs are our arithmetic at 26.32p per kWh.

What the A–G classes mean

The letter isn't a kWh band. Under the labelling rules, the class depends on an energy efficiency index (EEI): the model's consumption as a percentage of a reference figure for an appliance of its type and size. A big fridge-freezer can earn a better letter than a small one while still using more electricity. The Energy Saving Trust makes the same point with two examples: an F-rated 424-litre fridge-freezer costing about £80 a year and a G-rated 265-litre one costing about £70 (GB figures). So compare kWh/annum, not just the letter.

Why real use differs from the label

The regulation sets out how the label figure is measured: the appliance is tested at room temperatures of 16°C and 32°C, and the results are combined into one annual figure. Nobody opens the door, loads warm shopping or leaves the freezer packed with ice. At home, these things all push consumption up or down:

• Room temperature. A fridge-freezer in a warm kitchen or next to a cooker works harder than one in a cool utility room.
• Door opening and warm food. Every time warm air gets in, the compressor has to remove that heat.
• Thermostat settings and frost. Colder settings and iced-up freezer compartments both add to running time.
• Age and seals. Worn door seals let cold air escape.

Which? publishes its own lab-tested running costs. Its average for freestanding fridge-freezers is £79 a year (cheapest £38, most expensive £147), which works out at about 300 kWh at 26.32p. That's higher than most labels in our table. Which? uses its own test, so the two aren't directly comparable.

Worked examples

1. A-rated vs E-rated, similar size

Samsung's RB38C607AB1 (387 litres, class A) is labelled at 108 kWh a year. The RB38C602ESA (390 litres, class E) is labelled at 264 kWh. The difference is 156 kWh, or about £41.06 a year at today's rate. The Energy Saving Trust says a typical fridge-freezer lasts 17 years. At an unchanged rate, that would add up to about £698.01. Prices will change, so treat this as a rough guide.

2. How much fridge-freezers have improved

The European Commission estimates that the average fridge-freezer sold in 1990 used 477 kWh a year, against 181 kWh for one sold in 2020. At 26.32p, that's about £125.55 against £47.64 a year. These are EU-wide averages, not figures for any particular appliance.

3. American-style vs standard

The F-rated Samsung RS68A8820S9 (634 litres) is labelled at 395 kWh, about £103.96 a year. That's £34.48 more than the 390-litre E-rated model in example 1, for around 60% more space. Which?'s averages show the same pattern: £117 a year for American-style models against £79 for freestanding ones.

Ways to cut the cost

• Compare kWh/annum when buying, and choose the size you need. Bigger cabinets usually use more electricity.
• Leave a gap around it and keep it away from the oven, radiators and direct sun, so it can lose heat easily.
• Defrost the freezer if ice builds up, check the door seals, and let leftovers cool before you put them in.

Frequently asked questions