How much does it cost to run a fridge in Australia?

A modern efficient family fridge-freezer uses roughly 350 to 550 kWh a year, or about $120 to $190 annually at 35c/kWh. Older or larger units use more, and because a fridge never switches off, that difference adds up every day.

Why is my second garage fridge so expensive to run?

Second fridges are usually old and inefficient, often run half empty, and sit in a hot garage where they work harder to stay cold. That combination can easily cost $150 or more a year, making it one of the worst-value loads in many homes.

Do fridge star ratings really matter?

Yes. More stars means less energy for the same size, and the kilowatt-hour figure on the energy label lets you compare running costs directly — just multiply it by your rate. Over a fridge's long life, a more efficient model can save a worthwhile amount.

What temperature should I set my fridge and freezer?

Around 3-4°C for the fridge and -18°C for the freezer is the efficient range. Setting them colder than that wastes energy without keeping food meaningfully safer.

Can my energy plan affect what my fridge costs?

Yes — a fridge runs constantly, so it is charged at whatever rate you pay around the clock. If you are on an overpriced plan, every hour of that always-on load costs more than it should. Comparing your real usage across available plans shows whether your baseline rate is fair.

Fridge running cost in Australia (and the second fridge)

Fridges run 24/7, so small differences add up. See what a fridge costs to run in Australia, why the beer fridge in the garage stings, and star ratings.

The appliance that never turns off

A fridge is unusual among appliances because it runs every hour of every day, year in and year out. Even a modest hourly draw becomes a meaningful number when you multiply it by 8,760 hours a year, which is why a fridge quietly sits among the steadier costs on a power bill.

A modern, efficient family fridge-freezer typically uses somewhere around 350 to 550 kWh a year. At 35c/kWh that is roughly $120 to $190 a year just to keep it running. An older or larger unit can use considerably more, and because it never switches off, that difference compounds every single day.

The second beer fridge in the garage

The classic Australian energy leak is the second fridge — the old family fridge demoted to the garage to keep drinks cold. It is usually the least efficient appliance in the house, often years or decades old, running in a hot, uninsulated space where it has to work even harder, and frequently half empty.

That combination makes the beer fridge one of the worst-value loads in many homes. An old second fridge can easily cost $150 or more a year to run, often to keep a few drinks cold that a smaller, occasional-use approach would handle for a fraction of the cost. Running it only when you actually need it, or retiring it altogether, is one of the easiest savings available.

Star ratings and placement

Every fridge sold in Australia carries an energy rating label with a star rating and an estimated annual energy use in kilowatt-hours. More stars means less energy for the same size, and the kWh figure lets you compare running costs directly — multiply it by your rate to get the yearly dollar cost. When buying, resist sizing up beyond what you need, because a bigger fridge uses more energy even at the same star rating.

Where and how you run the fridge matters too. A fridge crammed against a wall or sitting in a hot laundry or garage has to work harder to shed heat, pushing up its running cost. Giving it room to breathe, keeping the door seals clean and intact, and not setting it colder than needed all trim the cost of an appliance that runs constantly.

How to cut fridge running costs

Retire or unplug the second garage fridge unless you genuinely need it running year round.
When replacing a fridge, compare the kWh figure on the energy label and buy the right size, not the biggest.
Keep the fridge out of hot spots and leave a gap around it so it can shed heat efficiently.
Check and clean the door seals — a worn seal lets cold air escape and the compressor run more.
Set the fridge around 3-4°C and the freezer around -18°C rather than colder than needed.
Keep the fridge reasonably full but not packed, so air can still circulate.

Where EnergySorted fits

A fridge is a fixed, round-the-clock load, which makes it a good reminder that your baseline power cost is set by your rate as much as your appliances. EnergySorted compares your real usage across more than 16,000 plans without retailer commissions, so the always-on part of your bill is charged at a fair rate rather than an inflated one.

The Bill Health Score tracks whether your plan stays competitive over time, so the steady loads that never switch off — fridges, freezers and standby power among them — are not quietly costing more than they should on a plan you have outgrown.

General information only, current at the time of writing — not financial advice. Rebate schemes and rules change; always confirm details with your retailer or state government energy site.