Cost to Run a 300-watt refrigerator for 1 hour in California
Running a 300-watt refrigerator for 1 hour uses 0.3 kWh and costs $0.096 at $0.32/kWh in California. Do that every day and it adds up to $2.88 a month.
Calculate your own cost
- Per hour
- $0.0960.3 kWh
- Per day
- $0.0960.3 kWh
- Per week
- $0.6722.1 kWh
- Per month (30 days)
- $2.889 kWh
- Per year
- $35.04110 kWh
Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × rate. Edit any box and every number updates instantly.
People also ask
How much does a 300-watt refrigerator cost per hour?
At $0.32/kWh, it costs $0.096 per hour. The maths: 300 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.3 kWh per hour, × $0.32 = $0.096.
How much does it cost per month?
Used 1 hours a day for 30 days, it costs about $2.88 per month and uses 9 kWh. Change the hours in the calculator above to match how you use it.
How many kWh does it use?
0.3 kWh per day, 9 kWh per month and 110 kWh per year at 1 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 $0.90 and at 30¢ it is $2.70. 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 day | Energy per day | Cost per day | Cost per month | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.3 kWh | $0.096 | $2.88 | $35.04 |
| 2 hours | 0.6 kWh | $0.192 | $5.76 | $70.08 |
| 3 hours | 0.9 kWh | $0.288 | $8.64 | $105.12 |
| 4 hours | 1.2 kWh | $0.384 | $11.52 | $140.16 |
| 5 hours | 1.5 kWh | $0.48 | $14.40 | $175.20 |
| 6 hours | 1.8 kWh | $0.576 | $17.28 | $210.24 |
| 7 hours | 2.1 kWh | $0.672 | $20.16 | $245.28 |
| 8 hours | 2.4 kWh | $0.768 | $23.04 | $280.32 |
| 9 hours | 2.7 kWh | $0.864 | $25.92 | $315.36 |
| 10 hours | 3 kWh | $0.96 | $28.80 | $350.40 |
| 11 hours | 3.3 kWh | $1.06 | $31.68 | $385.44 |
| 12 hours | 3.6 kWh | $1.15 | $34.56 | $420.48 |
| 13 hours | 3.9 kWh | $1.25 | $37.44 | $455.52 |
| 14 hours | 4.2 kWh | $1.34 | $40.32 | $490.56 |
| 15 hours | 4.5 kWh | $1.44 | $43.20 | $525.60 |
| 16 hours | 4.8 kWh | $1.54 | $46.08 | $560.64 |
| 17 hours | 5.1 kWh | $1.63 | $48.96 | $595.68 |
| 18 hours | 5.4 kWh | $1.73 | $51.84 | $630.72 |
| 19 hours | 5.7 kWh | $1.82 | $54.72 | $665.76 |
| 20 hours | 6 kWh | $1.92 | $57.60 | $700.80 |
| 21 hours | 6.3 kWh | $2.02 | $60.48 | $735.84 |
| 22 hours | 6.6 kWh | $2.11 | $63.36 | $770.88 |
| 23 hours | 6.9 kWh | $2.21 | $66.24 | $805.92 |
| 24 hours | 7.2 kWh | $2.30 | $69.12 | $840.96 |
How we worked it out
- Energy per hour: 300 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.3 kWh
- Cost per hour: 0.3 kWh × $0.32 = $0.096
- Cost per day: × 1 hours = $0.096
- Month and year: × 30 days = $2.88, × 365 days = $35.04
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 $1.58 a month at the national average.
What it costs in different places
Same 300-watt refrigerator, 1 hours a day. Only the local electricity rate changes.
| Place | Rate per kWh | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $0.175 | $1.58 |
| California | $0.32 | $2.88 |
| Texas | $0.155 | $1.40 |
| New York | $0.25 | $2.25 |
| Florida | $0.155 | $1.40 |
| Illinois | $0.17 | $1.53 |
| Pennsylvania | $0.18 | $1.62 |
| Ohio | $0.17 | $1.53 |
| Washington | $0.115 | $1.04 |
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.