Having a mini refrigerator is the perfect convenience for many people, including college students living in dorms or sharing apartments with roommates. Knowing the cost of electricity that will be generated by using the fridge is important to know before you invest in one.
Although the amount of electricity that a mini-refrigerator uses can vary, most use between 200 and 330-kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. The amount of electricity that is used is dependent on the size and brand of the refrigerator.
Learning more about the pros and cons of owning a mini-refrigerator includes such things as how much it will cost, how they operate, and how they differ from a full-size model. Read on to learn if owning a mini refrigerator is the right choice for you.
How Much Does It Cost To Run A Mini Fridge? (Per Day/Week/Month/Year)
If you consider the average cost of electricity is about twelve cents per kWh on average in the United States, then multiply that by the amount of electricity your mini-fridge uses per year, you will find the average cost for the year. Once you have discovered this amount, you can then divide that to find the cost per day, week, and month.
For example, if your mini-fridge uses 230 kWh per year on average, you will then multiply that by 0.12 to find the average yearly cost. This means that running your mini-fridge will cost you about $28 per year.
To find out how much the refrigerator will cost you per month to run, you will need to do some basic calculations. If you take the $28 it will cost per year and divide it by 12, the number of months in a year, you will discover that it will cost you about $2 per month.
When calculating the cost per week, you can take the $2 and divide it by the number of weeks in a month, which is 4, on average. Once you do that you will learn that it will cost you around 50 cents per week to run your mini-fridge.
Finally, to figure out how much running a mini-fridge will cost you per day, divide the 50 cents by the number of days in a week, which is 7. This will show you that it will cost you around 7 cents per day to run the refrigerator.
Typically, most stores where you will purchase your mini-fridge will come with a tag or information that will tell you the basic amount of electricity it may use on average. Knowing this will help you make the best decision about which refrigerator is best for you and your financial situation.
Does A Mini Fridge Run All the Time?
Most refrigerators come with a compressor that is designed to cycle on and off throughout the day. This is also true when it comes to the mini-fridge but can differ based on several factors including the amount of usage it gets during the day.
Although the mini-fridge does not run all the time, the insulated construction helps to keep the contents cold even when the cycle of the compressor is off. This means that even when your mini-fridge is not making noise, it is still doing its job.
There are typically several factors that come into play when it comes to the amount of time a mini-fridge runs. While the compressor cycles on and off, there are several things that can help it run more efficiently.
Opening the mini fridge’s door constantly can affect the amount of power consumption it will use. If you are trying to conserve energy, keeping the door closed unless you are getting something out of it is the best way to do this.
Additionally, once you have purchased your mini-fridge, it is important to ensure it is well-maintained. Keeping the unit clean and serviced routinely will not only extend the life but also help with the consumption of power it uses.
Overall, knowing that a mini-fridge should not be running all the time should help you to notice when there is a problem with your unit. This will ensure that you are saving money both on electricity use and keeping the contents of your refrigerator from going bad.
Are Mini Fridges Worth It?
Deciding whether or not a mini-fridge is worth the investment depends on several factors including cost, usage, and space. Those who have purchased the mini-refrigerator agree that considering all factors, it is well worth it.
Before you purchase a mini-refrigerator, you will need to determine whether it is right for what you have in mind. Calculating the amount of money it will add to your electric bill is one of the most important factors most people take into consideration.
Additionally, how much you plan to use the unit may be something you should think about. Whether you will use the unit consistently for your daily use or on occasion when catching the game in your man cave, knowing this will help you make the best decision.
Space is something that many people consider when deciding whether or not to purchase a mini-fridge. While they are small, the space you have in mind for it should be measured before you go to the store to buy your unit.
All in all, purchasing a mini fridge can be a great investment if you plan to use it often. Keep in mind that the cost of running the unit is minimal which can make having one worth it in the long run.
Mini Fridge Vs. Full Size Energy Usage
When you compare a mini-fridge to a full-sized fridge, there are many advantages and disadvantages that you will find. One of the biggest differences is the amount of energy usage that each model consumes.
While there are those that will say that a mini-fridge uses quite a lot of energy, it does not compare to the energy used in a full-sized model. This is mostly because the full-size refrigerator is larger in size and on average, takes more energy to cool the space.
On average, full-size refrigerators use more than 400 kWh per year. This means that to run the unit year-round you will need to do the same calculations that you did to find out the cost based on the same time periods, to get a true comparison.
For example, if the full-sized refrigerator you are comparing costs, on average, 404 kWh per year to run, you will multiply that by the 12 cents that is the average cost in the United States. This means to run this unit, will cost you about $48 per year.
Additionally, if you break these costs down per day, week, and month, you will get even more data to compare. By dividing these out you will find that the average cost to run the full-size unit is $4 per month, $1 per week, and 14 cents per day.
Compared to the mini-fridge, the full-size unit is more expensive and uses a greater amount of energy throughout the year. Most of this, of course, is dependent on the same factors as above when using the fridge. If you keep the door open or do not keep it maintained properly, then you will utilize more energy.
Overall, when it comes to comparing the two sizes of refrigerators, it is important to keep in mind what and where you plan to use them. If you are using them as your main source of cold items, you will want to consider that while you will save money and space using a mini-fridge, you will only be able to store a limited amount of items.
At the end of the day, making the decision to purchase a mini-fridge should come down to just a few factors. Knowing how much electricity a unit will use will help you determine whether it makes financial sense or not. While purchasing a mini-fridge will cost you much less than a full-size refrigerator, you will need to decide if it fits not only your budget but also your lifestyle and spatial needs.