Mini-refrigerators are highly popular in single-family homes due to their low energy usage and small size. But, they are increasingly being used in vacation homes, along with the pool, in allotment gardens, and guest rooms. If there’s one thing that all mini-fridges have in common, it’s that they need electricity. The question is if they consume a significant amount of energy. Is it advisable to contemplate purchasing a mini-fridge?
How Much Power Does a Mini Fridge Consume?
Mini-fridges utilize between 55 and 85 watts of electricity on average, depending on their insulation levels and size. With an average price of 12 cents per 1kWh in the United States, running a mini-fridge for a third of a 24 hour day will cost you between $19 and $29 per year.
Keep in mind that energy usage differs from one refrigerator to the other. When you compare two mini-fridges with the same performance but different models, the energy spent by one can easily double.
Is That a Significant Amount of Electricity?
Mini-fridges typically use between 55 to 85 watts every hour. By multiplying 160 kWh by 365 days, we can determine a yearly power use of 160 kWh. We calculated the annual energy cost using an average electricity price of 12 cents per kWh, which equated to $19.2 to operate a mini-fridge for a year.
If you open your fridge often, a mini-refrigerator can save you money on energy. When you utilize a mini-fridge instead of a kitchen fridge, you lose a lot less cold air.
Consumption of Energy
Like full-size refrigerators, the amount of electricity consumed by a mini-refrigerator varies depending on its features, brand, and size. Mini fridges, which generally have a capacity of 1.7 to 4.5 cubic feet, are usually given an Energy Star rating since they use less than 239.42 kilowatt-hours per year for manual defrost models.
Factors Affecting Mini-Fridge Power Consumption
A variety of factors influence how much electricity a mini-fridge consumes. Here are a few examples:
- Model: Specific models are built to be more energy efficient than others, achieving an A ++ Energy Star rating rather than a B.
- Size: Even though they come in various sizes, higher volumes use more energy.
- Location: When the mini-fridge is placed in a warm location, it consumes more energy.
- Season: Since the outdoor temperature is warmer than in the winter, most mini-fridges utilize power.
- Usage: If the refrigerator’s door is held open or even used extensively, the compressor will have to work harder to keep the items cold.
- Settings: The factory settings can lead to higher energy use than necessary.
- Age: Refrigerators more than ten years old are often less energy-efficient than modern models with high star ratings.
Calculator for Mini Fridge Power Consumption:
- (W) Wattage × (H) Hour every day = Watt-hours every day
- kWh per day = Watt-hours / 1000
What Is the Impact of a Mini Fridge on My Electric Bill?
Based on the size (1.7 cubic feet – 4.5 cubic feet) and insulation levels of the mini-fridge, it might boost your yearly bill by $20 – $50. But, because these devices do not consume electricity continually, predicting how much power your mini-fridge will require is practically impossible.
How Much Power Does a Mini Fridge Consume?
Based on its size, a mini-normal fridge varies from 55 to 85 watts. Thus, a mini-fridge uses significantly less energy than a full-size refrigerator, which uses somewhere around 100 to 400 watts every hour.
3 Ways to Reduce Electricity Consumption
- Ensure that the refrigerator is adequately ventilated: Mini-fridges are typically installed between wall cabinets, requiring a higher power level than usual. You should stay away from this.
- To keep food and drinks chilled, use timer settings to keep your mini-fridge switched on only when it’s needed.
- Alter the temperature settings: Mini refrigerators are usually set at a temperature considerably too cold by default. To adjust and measure your settings, check with a thermometer.
Know How Much Power Your Refrigerator Uses
A power meter is required to determine the exact wattage of your mini-fridge (also called a wattmeter). These devices were created specifically for this purpose and performed admirably. That is the most straightforward and cost-effective method of accurately measuring the power consumption of your mini-fridge or any other electrical equipment. A power meter with a display can provide you with real-time data on the use of your refrigerator as well as a group of gadgets.
You will get measured data rather than estimated data using the power meter. Leave your mini-fridge plugged in for 24 hours to discover how much electricity it consumes.
What to Look for When Purchasing a Mini-Fridge
When determining your cost, keep in mind that you’ll be using the mini-fridge for a minimum of 2 – 3 years. You may calculate the annual operating expenses by calculating your supplier’s current electricity price per kWh by the fridge’s yearly usage.
You may estimate the electricity usage by the purchase price and examine mini-fridges by multiplying this value by a factor of two or three. In practice, though, life is closer to 5–10 years. The costs for this period can also be calculated. If you live in a location where energy costs are high, one of the reasons to consider a compact refrigerator is to save money.
Is Buying a Mini Fridge Worth It?
Compact refrigerators, often known as mini-fridges, are typically 1.7 to 4.5 cubic feet in size and have their own set of benefits. They’re small, inexpensive, low-maintenance, and take up less space. The smallest mini-fridge measures 17 inches wide, 20 1/2 inches tall, and 18 7/8 inches deep (cube-shaped).
Mini refrigerators usually have a storage of 60 liters or less, which is ample for a single-family. A micro-refrigerator is a fridge with a limit of 20 liters or less, clearly insufficient to serve a whole family. Instead, they’re used to cool drinks in places like the living room or the terrace.
How to Select the Most Energy-Efficient Mini-Refrigerator
When purchasing a compact refrigerator for your room or home office, the first thing you should look for is the Energy Star certification. You may also read customer evaluations and reviews to learn more about your mini-fridge and whether it is as energy efficient as it claims.
Many individuals attempt to get by as inexpensively as possible, so they pick the greatest mini-fridge for them, only to be astonished by the electricity bill later.
Last Thoughts
Drinks, snacks, coffee, and prepared food are stored in little refrigerators. As a result, owning a mini-fridge is advantageous. This article will answer all of your questions and concerns concerning mini-fridges.
