WattCostCalc

Cost to Run a 100-watt refrigerator for 2 hours in California

Running a 100-watt refrigerator for 2 hours uses 0.2 kWh and costs $0.064 at $0.32/kWh in California. Do that every day and it adds up to $1.92 a month.

$0.064 for 2 hoursat $0.32/kWh

Calculate your own cost

Hours per day:
$0.064per day
Per hour
$0.0320.1 kWh
Per day
$0.0640.2 kWh
Per week
$0.4481.4 kWh
Per month (30 days)
$1.926 kWh
Per year
$23.3673 kWh

Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × rate. Edit any box and every number updates instantly.

People also ask

How much does a 100-watt refrigerator cost per hour?

At $0.32/kWh, it costs $0.032 per hour. The maths: 100 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.1 kWh per hour, × $0.32 = $0.032.

How much does it cost per month?

Used 2 hours a day for 30 days, it costs about $1.92 per month and uses 6 kWh. Change the hours in the calculator above to match how you use it.

How many kWh does it use?

0.2 kWh per day, 6 kWh per month and 73 kWh per year at 2 hours a day. A kWh is one kilowatt (1,000 W) used for one hour. It is the unit on your electricity bill.

How can I lower the cost?

Keep it away from the oven, keep the door seals clean and set it to 37°F (3°C). Check your bill for the exact rate and enter it above.

Does my electricity rate change the answer?

Yes, a lot. At 10¢ per kWh the monthly cost is $0.60 and at 30¢ it is $1.80. Find your rate on your bill (total cost ÷ kWh used) and type it into the calculator.

Cost by hours of use in California

Used per dayEnergy per dayCost per dayCost per monthCost per year
1 hour0.1 kWh$0.032$0.96$11.68
2 hours0.2 kWh$0.064$1.92$23.36
3 hours0.3 kWh$0.096$2.88$35.04
4 hours0.4 kWh$0.128$3.84$46.72
5 hours0.5 kWh$0.16$4.80$58.40
6 hours0.6 kWh$0.192$5.76$70.08
7 hours0.7 kWh$0.224$6.72$81.76
8 hours0.8 kWh$0.256$7.68$93.44
9 hours0.9 kWh$0.288$8.64$105.12
10 hours1 kWh$0.32$9.60$116.80
11 hours1.1 kWh$0.352$10.56$128.48
12 hours1.2 kWh$0.384$11.52$140.16
13 hours1.3 kWh$0.416$12.48$151.84
14 hours1.4 kWh$0.448$13.44$163.52
15 hours1.5 kWh$0.48$14.40$175.20
16 hours1.6 kWh$0.512$15.36$186.88
17 hours1.7 kWh$0.544$16.32$198.56
18 hours1.8 kWh$0.576$17.28$210.24
19 hours1.9 kWh$0.608$18.24$221.92
20 hours2 kWh$0.64$19.20$233.60
21 hours2.1 kWh$0.672$20.16$245.28
22 hours2.2 kWh$0.704$21.12$256.96
23 hours2.3 kWh$0.736$22.08$268.64
24 hours2.4 kWh$0.768$23.04$280.32

How we worked it out

  1. Energy per hour: 100 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.1 kWh
  2. Cost per hour: 0.1 kWh × $0.32 = $0.032
  3. Cost per day: × 2 hours = $0.064
  4. Month and year: × 30 days = $1.92, × 365 days = $23.36

California electricity prices

California pays about $0.32 per kWh, which is 83% higher than the US average of $0.175. The same refrigerator would cost $1.05 a month at the national average.

What it costs in different places

Same 100-watt refrigerator, 2 hours a day. Only the local electricity rate changes.

PlaceRate per kWhCost per month
United States$0.175$1.05
California$0.32$1.92
Texas$0.155$0.93
New York$0.25$1.50
Florida$0.155$0.93
Illinois$0.17$1.02
Pennsylvania$0.18$1.08
Ohio$0.17$1.02
Washington$0.115$0.69

About refrigerator running costs

A refrigerator is rated at its compressor power, but the compressor only runs about a third of the day. Annual kWh on the energy label is the best guide.

Typical sizes: 100 W, 150 W, 200 W, 300 W.

How to spend less: Keep it away from the oven, keep the door seals clean and set it to 37°F (3°C).

What this estimate assumes

  • The appliance draws its full stated wattage the whole time it is on. Real units with a thermostat cycle off and cost less.
  • Wattage is the typical label value, not a measured value. Check the label on your own appliance.
  • The rate is an approximate residential average in California. Your bill may include fixed fees, tiers or time-of-use pricing. Edit the rate above.
  • A month is 30 days and a year is 365 days.

Read the full calculation methodology

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