What a fridge costs to run in each state
The table uses the SA Government's typical figure for a 400 to 499 litre fridge, running all year.
| State | Rate | A month | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| TasmaniaAurora Energy | 24.75c | $10.21 | $123 |
| QueenslandEnergex | 27.97c | $11.54 | $138 |
| Victoriaaverage of five networks | 28.2c | $11.63 | $140 |
| Northern TerritoryJacana Energy | 31.68c | $13.07 | $157 |
| New South WalesAusgrid | 33.14c | $13.67 | $164 |
| Western AustraliaSynergy | 33.26c | $13.72 | $165 |
| Australian Capital TerritoryEvoenergy network | 36.95c | $15.24 | $183 |
| South AustraliaSA Power Networks | 41.91c | $17.29 | $207 |
Running costs by fridge size
| Type | Energy | Cost a day | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 to 199 litres | 358 kWh/yr | 33c | $119 |
| 200 to 299 litres | 410 kWh/yr | 37c | $136 |
| 300 to 399 litres | 490 kWh/yr | 44c | $162 |
| 400 to 499 litres | 495 kWh/yr | 45c | $164 |
| 500 to 599 litres | 738 kWh/yr | 67c | $245 |
| 600 to 699 litres | 1,356 kWh/yr | 123c | $449 |
Size matters more than most buyers expect. energy.gov.au suggests 250 to 380 litres for one or two people, 350 to 530 litres for three or four, and 440 litres or more for larger households. Buying bigger than you need means cooling empty space for 15 years or more.
The cost of a second fridge
An old fridge moved to the garage or laundry is one of the most common hidden costs on a bill. Older fridges use more energy than new ones, and a hot garage makes them work harder. Even a typical mid-size fridge at about 490 kWh a year costs around $162 on the Ausgrid reference rate.
| Size | kWh a year | Cost a year |
|---|---|---|
| Bar fridge, 100 to 199 litres | 358 | $119 |
| Mid-size, 300 to 399 litres | 490 | $162 |
| Large, 500 to 599 litres | 738 | $245 |
If the second fridge is mostly empty, switching it off except for parties or holidays is an easy saving. Our replacing old appliances guide shows when an upgrade pays for itself.
How to keep fridge costs down
Set the right temperature
energy.gov.au recommends 3°C to 4°C for the fridge and -15°C to -18°C for the freezer. Colder settings use more power for no benefit.
Clean the coils
Dust on the coils at the back makes the compressor work harder. Clean them every six months.
Leave room to breathe
Allow about 5 cm on each side and 10 cm at the top and back for ventilation.
Check the door seals
Close the door on a sheet of paper. If it slides out easily, the seal may need replacing.
Use the label when buying
Compare models on the kWh a year shown on the energy rating label, not just the star count, because a large fridge can have more stars and still use more energy than a smaller one.
Questions about fridge running costs
A typical 400 to 499 litre fridge uses about 495 kWh a year, according to the SA Government, which is around $164 on the NSW Ausgrid reference rate. Small fridges cost less and large ones can cost more than double.
About 45c a day for a 400 to 499 litre fridge on the Ausgrid reference rate.
Only if you use it. Even a mid-size second fridge using about 490 kWh a year costs around $162 in NSW, and older fridges often use more.
Check the energy rating label, which shows kWh a year from a standard test, or look up the model on the Energy Rating website. A plug-in power meter measures real use over a week.
energy.gov.au recommends 3°C to 4°C for the fridge and -15°C to -18°C for the freezer section.
Sources
Every rate on this page comes from the regulator or the regulated retailer. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.