Garage fridge: Energy friend or foe?
Curious about the cost of a second refrigerator in your garage? You’re not alone.
The trusty garage fridge, a space-saving hero for storing sodas and leftovers, may come with hidden expenses.
This question comes up a lot, and I've got your answer. Plus, check out personalized saving tips to learn more.
Garage fridge energy consumption
Outdoor fridges consume 150 to 800 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, adding approximately $15 to $80 to your electricity bill. An indoor refrigerator costs less annually to power than one in a garage. The average kitchen refrigerator costs $84, while the one in the garage costs $95 a year to operate. Energy consumption varies but tends to increase with:
- Larger-sized refrigerators
- Older appliances
- Fluctuating garage temperatures
Top three ways to save
- Regular maintenance: Cleaning coils and ensuring airtight seals are your secret weapons for keeping your fridge energy efficient.
- Buy an energy-efficient refrigerator: Upgrading to an EnergyStar model helps reduce energy use.
- Use our free Energy Manager tool: See how your home uses energy, monitor it and discover areas where you can find savings.
Bottom line
A garage fridge can add $15 to $80 to your bill. However, you can cut down on your energy use by keeping your fridge well-maintained, buying EnergyStar appliances, and following personalized tips from our free Energy Manager tool.
Meet Brad Goar
A seasoned Product Manager, Brad, has more than 15 years' expertise in energy efficiency. He oversees our Residential Conservation Services and Low-Income Weatherization programs which supports the completion of nearly 150,000 annual Home Energy Survey – one of the nation's largest utility-run energy survey programs.
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