How much does it cost to run a American-style fridge freezer? (2026 price cap)
At the GB-average Ofgem price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026, a American-style fridge freezer rated at 65W costs 1.7p an hour to run and around £150 a year assuming runs continuously, cycling its compressor on and off.
Per hour
1.7p
Per typical use
41p
Per day
41p
Per week
£2.88
Per year
£150
Typical rating and how we worked this out
This page uses a typical rating of 65W for a American-style fridge freezer; published figures for this appliance range from 50W to 90W. American-style, side-by-side fridge freezers have a much larger volume and door area than a standard combined unit, so even at a similar efficiency rating they typically use noticeably more electricity a year. The running cost follows the same formula used across this site: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × unit rate. Typical use is modelled as runs continuously, cycling its compressor on and off, which is how the per-day, per-week and per-year figures above were calculated — see the cost-to-run calculator to change the wattage, hours or region yourself.
Rate used: Ofgem price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026, GB average electricity — 26.32p/kWh (excl. VAT, removed 1 Oct 2026–31 Mar 2027).
Cost by region
Same appliance, same use — ranked most to least expensive by region under the price cap:
| Region | Elec p/kWh | Cost per hour | Typical annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merseyside and Northern Wales | 27.86 | 1.8p | £159 |
| South Eastern England | 26.88 | 1.7p | £153 |
| Eastern England | 26.61 | 1.7p | £152 |
| London | 26.60 | 1.7p | £151 |
| South Western England | 26.58 | 1.7p | £151 |
| Southern Wales | 26.55 | 1.7p | £151 |
| North Western England | 26.49 | 1.7p | £151 |
| Southern England | 26.47 | 1.7p | £151 |
| Northern Scotland | 26.35 | 1.7p | £150 |
| Southern Scotland | 26.11 | 1.7p | £149 |
| West Midlands | 25.60 | 1.7p | £146 |
| Yorkshire | 25.60 | 1.7p | £146 |
| North Eastern England | 25.46 | 1.7p | £145 |
| East Midlands | 25.36 | 1.6p | £144 |
| Great Britain average | 26.32 | 1.7p | £150 |
East Midlands is cheapest at £144 a year; Merseyside and Northern Wales is most expensive at £159 a year — a gap of £14.24 for identical use.
How a American-style fridge freezer compares with similar appliances
Ranked by typical annual cost in kitchen, GB average:
- American-style fridge freezer — £150 a year (this page)
- electric oven — £151 a year
- fridge freezer — £106 a year
- electric (ceramic) hob — £106 a year
- gas oven — £61.09 a year
- induction hob — £96.07 a year
Three practical ways to cut the cost
- Keep it three-quarters full rather than empty — a fuller cabinet holds temperature better between openings
- Leave the recommended air gap behind and above — side-by-side compressors run hotter in a tight alcove
- Check the door seal on both sides — twice the sealing length to fail
FAQs
- How much does it cost to run a American-style fridge freezer for an hour?
- 1.7p at the GB-average rate (26.32p/kWh, 65W). One typical use — runs continuously, cycling its compressor on and off — costs closer to 41p.
- How much does a American-style fridge freezer cost to run per year?
- Around £150 a year at the GB-average rate, assuming runs continuously, cycling its compressor on and off — about £2.88 a week.
- Which UK region is cheapest to run a American-style fridge freezer in?
- East Midlands, at £144 a year, against £159 in Merseyside and Northern Wales — £14.24 apart for identical use, purely from the regional rate.
- Does the exact wattage of my American-style fridge freezer change the cost much?
- Yes — ratings range 50W–90W, so the top of that range costs about 1.8x the bottom. This page uses 65W; check your own rating plate.
- Does the October 2026 price cap affect this figure?
- Yes — figures use the Ofgem cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026. Electricity excludes VAT (removed 1 Oct 2026–31 Mar 2027); gas includes 5%. See the price cap page for the full breakdown.
Sources
- Energy Comparison UK — most energy-consuming appliances — wattage and usage figures for this appliance.
- Ofgem — Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges (regional tables, read 12 September 2026).
Related
- Cost-to-run calculator and full A–Z — check any appliance or enter a custom wattage.
- Energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026 — every region, every payment method.
- Back-billing calculator — if a bill for this or any appliance looks like it covers too many months.
- Free bill audit — if your overall energy costs look high regardless of any one appliance.
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