U.S. residential electricity EIA data: July 2026 US average 18.3¢/kWh Updated
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Kitchen · Connecticut

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Refrigerator in Connecticut?

The short answer

A typical 150W refrigerator uses about 1.26 kWh a day, which costs $0.30 a day in Connecticut — about $9.26 a month or $111 a year.

That’s based on Connecticut’s average residential rate of 24.2¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026), 32% above the US average.

Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated

Refrigerator cost by size and efficiency in Connecticut

Cost at 24.2¢/kWh, the Connecticut average (EIA, Jul 2026)
ModelkWh/monthPer dayPer monthPer year
Efficient (100W) 25.6 $0.20 $6.17 $74.07
Typical (150W) 38.3 $0.30 $9.26 $111
Older / large (250W) 63.9 $0.51 $15.43 $185

Connecticut vs other states

At typical use, a refrigerator costs $111 a year in Connecticut — $110 less than in Hawaii and $52.61 more than in Louisiana.

Connecticut has the 11th-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. Connecticut price per kWh · all states ranked

Electricity price trend in Connecticut

24.2¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▼ −12.5% from a year earlier.

How to lower the cost of running a refrigerator

Your refrigerator is one of the few appliances that never turns off, but it doesn't draw its rated wattage all day. The compressor cycles on and off to hold temperature, running roughly 30–40% of the time in a typical kitchen. That is why we apply a duty cycle: a 150W fridge at 35% uses about 1.26 kWh a day. Older refrigerators (pre-2001) and second fridges in hot garages can use two to three times more.

  • Set the fridge to 37–40°F and the freezer to 0°F — colder settings waste energy.
  • Vacuum the condenser coils once or twice a year.
  • Retire an old second fridge in the garage — it can cost more per year than a new one.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How much does a refrigerator cost to run per year in Connecticut?

A typical 150W refrigerator uses about 460 kWh a year, which costs about $111 at Connecticut’s average rate of 24.2¢/kWh.

How many kWh does a refrigerator use per month?

At running 24/7, a typical refrigerator uses about 38.3 kWh a month. In Connecticut that costs $9.26.

Is it expensive to run a refrigerator in Connecticut?

Connecticut has the 11th-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 24.2¢/kWh — pricier than most. Running a refrigerator here costs about $111 a year at typical use, compared with $84.21 at the national average rate.

What is the electricity rate in Connecticut right now?

The average residential electricity rate in Connecticut was 24.2¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — down 12.5% from a year earlier.

How many kWh does a refrigerator use per day?

A modern full-size refrigerator typically uses 1–1.7 kWh per day (about 400–600 kWh per year). Older models can use 3 kWh or more per day.

Refrigerator costs in nearby states

Cheapest and priciest states

Comparisons

Sources & method