How much does a fridge freezer cost to run?
A typical fridge freezer costs about 12.6p per day to run. At 7 days a week that is 88.4p a week, or £45.99 a year, based on 20 W for 24 hours (0.48 kWh) at 26.32p per kWh.
Adjust for your fridge freezer
Worked example
20 W is 0.02 kW. Running for 24 hours uses 0.02 × 24 = 0.48 kWh. At 26.32p per kWh that costs 12.6p.
That comes to £45.99 a year. An older or American-style model using twice the energy would cost about £91.97 a year.
How to cut the cost
Keep the fridge at 3 to 5 degrees and the freezer at minus 18, check that the door seals grip a sheet of paper, leave space behind for air to circulate, and let hot food cool before it goes in. Replacing a very old unit with a modern high-rated one can pay back over several years.
Questions
Is it expensive to leave a fridge freezer on all the time?
It runs all day, but modern models are efficient. A 20 W average costs £45.99 a year at 26.32p per kWh, while older or American-style models can cost several times that.
How can I work out my own fridge freezer's running cost?
Find the annual kWh figure on the energy label, multiply it by 26.32p per kWh and divide by 100. The label figure already allows for the compressor cycling on and off.
Other appliances
Electricity rate: Ofgem energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026, Great Britain average, Direct Debit, default tariff: 26.32p per kWh. Your own tariff and region may differ, so change the rate above to match your bill. Appliance figures are typical estimates; your appliance's energy label or manual is more accurate. Last checked 2026-11-03. Next review: January 2027, when Ofgem announces the next quarter's cap.