- Home
- Refrigerator Watts
Guide · Kitchen
How many watts does a refrigerator use?
The running, starting and average watts of your fridge, the generator that can start it, and how long each power station keeps it cold during an outage.
By Brian Adrian · Updated October 21, 2026
A modern refrigerator uses about 150 W while running, needs about 1,200 W for a moment to start, and averages only about 60 W over a day (around 1.4 kWh), because the compressor cycles on and off.
Refrigerator wattage by type
| Type | Running | Starting | Average | Per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern refrigerator (ENERGY STAR) Top or bottom freezer, after ~2010 | 150 W | 1,200 W | 60 W | 1.4 kWh |
| French door / side-by-side Large, with ice maker | 200 W | 1,500 W | 80 W | 1.9 kWh |
| Older refrigerator Before ~2005 | 700 W | 2,200 W | 350 W | 8.4 kWh |
| Mini fridge Dorm or office size | 80 W | 300 W | 30 W | 0.7 kWh |
| Chest freezer 5–7 cu ft | 100 W | 800 W | 40 W | 1.0 kWh |
Typical values from generator manufacturers' wattage guides and ENERGY STAR data. Your model's label is the final word.
Your fridge: battery or generator?
How long each power station lasts
| Power station | Capacity | Can start it? | Lasts |
|---|
Runtime = 85% of rated capacity (inverter losses) ÷ average watts. "Can start it" checks continuous output and surge rating against your choice. Specs from manufacturers; tap a model to check its price.
Running watts vs starting watts
The number that trips people up is the starting (surge) watts. For a second or two, the compressor motor pulls several times its running watts. A power station rated 1,000 W continuous with only 1,200 W surge might start a modern fridge but not an older one. That's why the table above checks both numbers for every model.
How to keep the fridge cold longer in an outage
- Keep the doors closed. Every opening lets the cold out and makes the compressor run longer once power is back.
- Run it in cycles if fuel or battery is short: a few hours on, a few off keeps food cold with far less energy (keep a thermometer inside: 40 °F / 4 °C or below).
- Fill empty freezer space with frozen water bottles. A full freezer holds its temperature about twice as long as a half-empty one.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a refrigerator use?
A modern full-size refrigerator uses about 100 to 200 watts while the compressor runs, and needs about 1,200 watts for a second or two to start it. Because the compressor cycles on and off, its average over a day is only about 60 watts, or roughly 1.4 kWh per day. Older refrigerators can run at 700 watts and need over 2,000 watts to start.
What size generator do I need to run a refrigerator?
For a modern refrigerator alone, any generator with at least about 200 running watts and 1,200 starting watts works, so even a small 2,000-watt inverter generator is plenty, with room for lights and phone charging. For an older refrigerator, look for at least 2,200 starting watts.
How long will a power station run a refrigerator?
Divide 85% of the station's capacity by the fridge's average watts. A modern refrigerator averaging 60 W runs about 14 hours on a 1,000 Wh unit and about a day on 2,000 Wh. The power station must also have enough surge rating to start the compressor, which the table on this page checks.
How do I find my refrigerator's exact wattage?
Check the label inside the fridge (often on a side wall) for amps and volts, and multiply them: 6 amps × 115 volts ≈ 690 watts, which is a maximum, not the typical draw. For energy use, the yellow EnergyGuide label lists kWh per year: divide by 365 for kWh per day, or by 8.76 for average watts.
How long does food stay safe in a refrigerator without power?
According to FoodSafety.gov, a refrigerator keeps food safe for about 4 hours if you keep the door closed. A full freezer holds its temperature for about 48 hours, a half-full one for about 24 hours.
Sources
Estimates only. Power station and generator specs from manufacturers, last checked October 21, 2026. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.