How much does a second fridge cost to run?

An old second fridge or freezer can use several hundred kWh a year, costing anywhere from around $100 to $300 or more in power. Older units are far less efficient than modern ones, so the cost is often higher than people expect.

Is it worth keeping an old garage fridge?

If it only holds a few drinks, the yearly running cost can be poor value. Switching it off, or replacing an old unit with an efficient one if you need the space, can pay for itself over a few years in power saved.

How do I find my fridge's energy use?

The energy rating label or manual gives a kWh per year figure for newer units. For an old fridge with no label, you can estimate, or use a plug-in power meter to measure it, then enter the figure here.

Second Fridge Cost Calculator

This New Zealand calculator works out what running an old second fridge or freezer costs a year. The unit humming away in the garage, often older and less efficient, can quietly cost more than people realise, especially if it only holds a few drinks. You enter its energy use and your power price, and the tool shows the yearly and per-week cost, and what you would save by switching it off or replacing it with an efficient one.

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Energy use (kWh per year)

Power price (per kWh)

Efficient replacement (kWh per year)

to run the second fridge per year

Per week$0

Save by switching it off$0

Save a year with an efficient unit$0

Old units use far more power than modern ones. If the fridge is rarely needed, switching it off is the simplest saving; if you need the space, an efficient replacement can pay for itself over a few years. Estimate only.

How it works

The calculator multiplies the fridge's yearly energy use by your power price to give the annual running cost, shown per week too. It also shows what you would save by switching it off entirely, and the yearly saving from replacing an old unit with an efficient one that uses far less power. For a fridge that holds little, those savings often make a strong case for turning it off or upgrading.

Worked example

An old fridge using 600 kWh a year at 28 cents costs about $168 a year, roughly $3.23 a week. Switching it off saves the full $168. Replacing it with a 250 kWh efficient unit would cut the cost to about $70, saving around $98 a year toward the new unit.

Related calculators

Appliance Running Cost Calculator: any appliance.
Electricity Cost Calculator: power costs.

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