Cost to Run Refrigerator in California (2026)
At California's average rate of 31.22¢/kWh, running a Refrigerator costs $33.72/month or $410.23/year. That's 81.3% more than the national average of $18.60/month.
Monthly Cost
$33.72
in California
Yearly Cost
$410.23
in California
State Rate
31.22¢
per kWh
National Rank
#49
of 50 states
Refrigerator Energy Usage
| Wattage | 150 watts |
| Typical Daily Use | 24 hours/day |
| Daily kWh | 3.60 kWh |
| Monthly kWh | 108.0 kWh |
| Category | Kitchen |
California vs National Average: Refrigerator Costs
| Metric | California | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity Rate | 31.22¢/kWh | 17.22¢/kWh | +14.00¢ |
| Monthly Refrigerator Cost | $33.72 | $18.60 | +$15.12 |
| Yearly Refrigerator Cost | $410.23 | $226.27 | +$183.96 |
Refrigerator Cost in Neighboring States
How does running a Refrigerator in California compare to nearby states?
Refrigerator Cost: All 50 States Ranked
California ranks #49 out of 50 for Refrigerator running costs (1 = cheapest).
| # | State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho | 11.15¢ | $12.04 | $146.51 |
| 2 | Washington | 11.26¢ | $12.16 | $147.96 |
| 3 | Utah | 11.41¢ | $12.32 | $149.93 |
| 4 | Wyoming | 11.72¢ | $12.66 | $154.00 |
| 5 | North Dakota | 12.43¢ | $13.42 | $163.33 |
| 6 | Louisiana | 12.52¢ | $13.52 | $164.51 |
| 7 | Oregon | 12.55¢ | $13.55 | $164.91 |
| 8 | Montana | 12.81¢ | $13.83 | $168.32 |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 12.82¢ | $13.85 | $168.45 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 12.91¢ | $13.94 | $169.64 |
| 11 | Arkansas | 13.04¢ | $14.08 | $171.35 |
| 12 | Nebraska | 13.08¢ | $14.13 | $171.87 |
| 13 | Kentucky | 13.19¢ | $14.25 | $173.32 |
| 14 | West Virginia | 13.44¢ | $14.52 | $176.60 |
| 15 | Mississippi | 13.54¢ | $14.62 | $177.92 |
| 16 | South Dakota | 13.74¢ | $14.84 | $180.54 |
| 17 | Missouri | 13.78¢ | $14.88 | $181.07 |
| 18 | North Carolina | 14.09¢ | $15.22 | $185.14 |
| 19 | Georgia | 14.27¢ | $15.41 | $187.51 |
| 20 | South Carolina | 14.43¢ | $15.58 | $189.61 |
| 21 | Virginia | 14.64¢ | $15.81 | $192.37 |
| 22 | Arizona | 14.78¢ | $15.96 | $194.21 |
| 23 | Alabama | 14.87¢ | $16.06 | $195.39 |
| 24 | Nevada | 14.92¢ | $16.11 | $196.05 |
| 25 | Delaware | 14.94¢ | $16.14 | $196.31 |
| 26 | Texas | 15.06¢ | $16.26 | $197.89 |
| 27 | Iowa | 15.14¢ | $16.35 | $198.94 |
| 28 | Ohio | 15.21¢ | $16.43 | $199.86 |
| 29 | Kansas | 15.28¢ | $16.50 | $200.78 |
| 30 | New Mexico | 15.34¢ | $16.57 | $201.57 |
| 31 | Indiana | 15.42¢ | $16.65 | $202.62 |
| 32 | Colorado | 15.56¢ | $16.80 | $204.46 |
| 33 | Minnesota | 15.63¢ | $16.88 | $205.38 |
| 34 | Florida | 16.22¢ | $17.52 | $213.13 |
| 35 | Illinois | 16.27¢ | $17.57 | $213.79 |
| 36 | Maryland | 16.57¢ | $17.90 | $217.73 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | 17.38¢ | $18.77 | $228.37 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | 18.36¢ | $19.83 | $241.25 |
| 39 | New Jersey | 18.48¢ | $19.96 | $242.83 |
| 40 | Michigan | 19.34¢ | $20.89 | $254.13 |
| 41 | Vermont | 21.43¢ | $23.14 | $281.59 |
| 42 | Alaska | 24.21¢ | $26.15 | $318.12 |
| 43 | New York | 24.33¢ | $26.28 | $319.70 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | 25.78¢ | $27.84 | $338.75 |
| 45 | Maine | 26.37¢ | $28.48 | $346.50 |
| 46 | Rhode Island | 28.08¢ | $30.33 | $368.97 |
| 47 | Massachusetts | 28.58¢ | $30.87 | $375.54 |
| 48 | Connecticut | 29.98¢ | $32.38 | $393.94 |
| 49 | California | 31.22¢ | $33.72 | $410.23 |
| 50 | Hawaii | 43.18¢ | $46.63 | $567.39 |
Save Money on Refrigerator in California
- Use your Refrigerator efficiently by running full loads and avoiding preheating when not needed.
- Consider batch cooking to reduce overall kitchen appliance running time.
- Match your Refrigerator size to your household needs - oversized appliances waste energy.
- Use lids on pots and pans to cook faster and reduce energy consumption.
- Look for Energy Star certified Refrigerator models that use 10-50% less energy than standard models.
- Consider installing solar panels in California to offset your Refrigerator electricity costs.
- Check if your California utility offers time-of-use rates and run your Refrigerator during off-peak hours.
- Ensure proper maintenance of your Refrigerator to keep it running at peak efficiency.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to run a Refrigerator in California?
Running a Refrigerator in California costs approximately $33.72 per month or $410.23 per year, based on the state's average residential rate of 31.22¢/kWh and typical usage of 24 hours per day.
Is running a Refrigerator expensive in California compared to other states?
California ranks #49 out of 50 states for Refrigerator running costs (1 = cheapest). It's 81.3% more expensive than the national average. The cheapest state is Idaho at $12.04/month, and the most expensive is Hawaii at $46.63/month.
How much electricity does a Refrigerator use per month?
A typical Refrigerator uses 150 watts and runs about 24 hours per day, consuming approximately 3.60 kWh daily or 108.0 kWh per month.
How can I reduce Refrigerator electricity costs in California?
You can reduce costs by using an Energy Star rated Refrigerator, running it during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use rates, ensuring proper maintenance, and considering solar panels to offset electricity costs in California.
What is the electricity rate in California?
The average residential electricity rate in California is 31.22¢ per kWh. The primary energy source is Natural Gas, with 38.0% from renewable sources.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)