How much does an old fridge cost to run? Should you replace it?

A fridge runs 24/7, so a few extra watts add up. A recent, efficient fridge-freezer uses about 250 kWh a year; one over 10 years old often reaches 480 kWh or more, especially if the door seals no longer close properly.

The difference in money

About 230 kWh a year extra — roughly €62, £60 or $41 at typical prices. A new fridge-freezer costs several hundred, so payback on energy alone is often 8–12 years. Replace it when it is very old, clearly using more than normal or due for replacement anyway — not just to save energy.

Measure first

In the calculator you can flag your fridge as old and see how much it adds to your bills.

• Plug the fridge into a smart plug with energy monitoring for a week and multiply by 52.
• Check the temperature with a thermometer: 4–5 °C (39–41 °F) in the fridge and −18 °C (0 °F) in the freezer is enough; colder costs more.
• Test the door seal by closing it on a sheet of paper: if it slides out easily, warm air gets in.
• Clean the coils at the back and leave a few centimetres from the wall.