How Much Does It Cost to Run a Fridge Freezer? UK 2026 Guide

If you’ve ever stared at your electricity bill and thought, “That fridge freezer never switches off… how much is that costing me?”, you’re not alone.

It runs 24 hours a day. Every day. All year.

So it feels like it must be expensive.

The good news? It isn’t.

In fact, running your fridge freezer for an entire day often costs less than boiling the kettle a few times.

Let’s break down the real numbers and see exactly what yours might be costing you.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Fridge Freezer? (UK 2026 Guide)

An average fridge freezer costs between £3 and £6 per month to run in the UK. That’s around 10–20p per day based on electricity at 25p per kWh. Most modern models use between 100 and 300 kWh per year.

Considering it never switches off, that’s actually cheaper than most people expect.

Electricity prices used in this guide

All calculations below use 25p per kWh, which reflects the April–June 2026 UK price cap level (official average 24.67p per kWh for Direct Debit customers). Figures are rounded for simplicity. Electricity unit rates actually fell in April 2026 (down from around 27–28p earlier in the year), which slightly reduces appliance running costs compared to winter. These figures exclude the daily electricity standing charge (around 57p per day in April 2026), as this is paid regardless of appliance usage.

👉 If you’re unsure whether you’re on the best tariff, it’s worth checking whether night electricity is cheaper on your current deal.

How Much Electricity Does a Fridge Freezer Use?

Most modern fridge freezers use between 100 kWh and 300 kWh per year. Larger American-style models typically use 250–450 kWh per year.

You’ll find the exact annual energy consumption (kWh) on the energy label or product specification sheet.

In terms of power consumption, most fridge freezers draw between 100 and 250 watts while the compressor is running. However, they don’t run constantly. The compressor switches on and off throughout the day, which keeps overall electricity usage far lower than the wattage might suggest.

For context, your kettle uses around 2,000–3,000 watts. Your fridge freezer uses a fraction of that.

Fridge Freezer Running Cost Table (Based on kWh Usage)

Here’s what different energy consumption levels look like in real money.

Example: A fridge freezer using 250 kWh per year costs around £62.50 per year at 25p per kWh.

Fridge Freezer Energy Rating Running Costs (A–G Scale)

Energy labels were reset in 2021 from A+++ back to a simple A–G scale. That’s why many modern appliances now sit in the C–F range.

Here’s what that looks like in cost terms:

An F rated fridge freezer typically costs £5–£8 per month to run.

Many older “A++” models sold before 2021 often use 200–250 kWh per year, which under the new scale would likely sit around a C or D. So don’t assume an old “A” sticker automatically means ultra-cheap to run today.

Daily, Monthly and Yearly Cost Summary

Daily cost: usually 10p–20p
Monthly cost: usually £3–£6
Yearly cost: typically £30–£75

Even larger American-style models usually stay under £9 per month.

Compared to high-wattage appliances like tumble dryers, ovens or electric showers, fridge freezers are relatively cheap to run. In fact, running a tumble dryer for one hour can cost more than running a fridge freezer for an entire day.

Are American Fridge Freezers Expensive to Run?

American models typically use 300–450 kWh per year.

At 25p per kWh, that’s £75–£115 per year or £6–£9 per month.

They use more electricity than smaller units, but they’re still not one of the biggest electricity drains in your home.

Do Fridge Freezers Use a Lot of Electricity?

They run 24/7, but at low wattage and with cycling compressors.

In most UK homes, fridge freezers account for roughly 10–15% of total electricity usage.

If you’re trying to cut your energy bill, heating, hot water and tumble drying habits will usually have a much bigger impact.

Is It Worth Replacing an Old Fridge Freezer?

Usually not purely for energy savings.

If your current appliance costs £8 per month and a new efficient model costs £3 per month, that’s a £5 saving each month.

That’s £60 per year.

If a new appliance costs £600, it would take 10 years to break even.

Replace it when it fails — not just to shave a few pounds off your bill.

How to Reduce Fridge Freezer Running Costs

• Leave at least 10cm gap behind the unit for airflow
• Clean the rear coils annually
• Defrost non frost-free freezers regularly
• Keep it reasonably full (water bottles help)
• Avoid placing it next to ovens or direct sunlight
• Don’t leave doors open longer than necessary

Switching it off overnight won’t meaningfully reduce your bill and can risk food safety.

If you’re reviewing where your electricity bill is going, you might also find these useful:

• How much does it cost to run an electric blanket?
• Does turning off WiFi save electricity?
• Tumble dryer vs dehumidifier: which is cheaper?
• How much does it cost to charge an iPhone?

Final thoughts

Your fridge freezer isn’t the villain of your electricity bill.

It runs constantly, yes. But it’s designed to do so efficiently.

In most homes, it’s a steady, predictable cost rather than a financial shock.

If you’re serious about cutting electricity spending, focus on heating, hot water and high-wattage appliances first.

Your fridge freezer? It’s just quietly doing its job.

Frequently Asked Questions

Further reading

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