When it comes to using an old fridge, most people will assume it’s best to run it into the ground. This includes using it as much as possible throughout the day.
While this is fine, are you aware of the costs of running an old fridge?
It’s best to ask, how much electricity does an old fridge use?
An old fridge uses 1,700 kWh of electricity each year. This is a 174% increase over what an Energy Star fridge uses (i.e. 450 kWh). It’s due to how older fridges were made and the general aging of the internal components. They demand more electricity and this can handle hundreds of dollars to your electricity bill.
It’s highly recommended to change an aging fridge rather than letting it drive up the utility bills. You will end up paying a lot more than you should for worse performance!
Here is a look at a few important questions when it comes to using an old refrigerator and the impact it can have on your finances.
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How Much Electricity Does An Old Refrigerator Use Per Month?
An old refrigerator uses 141 kWh per month. In comparison, a new Energy Star fridge only uses 33 kWh per month. This demonstrates the difference between the excessive energy use of an older fridge compared to a newer model.
In general, it’s recommended for users to go out and invest in a new refrigerator as soon as possible. You don’t want to keep the same fridge for more than 10+ years.
This can create a situation where you pay far more than you should in electricity costs.
When it comes to old fridge vs new fridge energy costs, the difference can be staggering. You will end up paying almost double in electricity costs.

How Much Does It Cost To Run An Old Fridge?
It can cost $260 per year to run an older fridge. In comparison, it only costs $60.80 to run a new Energy Star fridge. This difference is due to the aging components in an older fridge along with the growing electricity demand.
It’s recommended to avoid using an older fridge as it can increase your electricity bill dramatically. As the fridge gets even older, the bill will only get higher.
The main issue has to do with the components.
They will age, which means more electricity is required to get the same level of performance. Otherwise, the components will stop working completely.
This is why it’s recommended to switch old fridges out before they start ramping up the costs. For most people, this means changing the old fridge within 10 years or so.

Do Refrigerators Use More Energy As They Get Older?
Yes, refrigerators use more energy as they get older. It’s common for the energy costs to double once a fridge crosses the 10-year-old mark in its lifespan. This is a staggering difference as newer models are Energy Star certified, which means they do not require a lot of electricity to run well.
This is key as most newer models are also going to give you more value per kWh in terms of overall performance.
It’s important to keep this in mind when it comes to the appliances in your home. This includes the fridge.
If the older fridge continues to run, it will eventually start using more energy. This is due to the components not working as they used to and requiring additional electricity to do the same thing.
This is costly and will hit your wallet over the long haul.
Final Thoughts
How much electricity does an old fridge use?
An old fridge uses 1700 kWh per year to run. In comparison, a new fridge only uses 400 kWh meaning an older fridge requires 174% more energy than a newer model. This also increases the electricity bill due to the added usage.
It’s essential to consider going with a newer fridge for this reason. You end up saving a lot of money over the coming years and it also performs better.
A lot of people don’t account for the repairs that come along with aging appliances including fridges. As the fridge gets older, it is also going to have little issues that need to be repaired.
On the other hand, a newer fridge runs without a hitch and settles into the background once set up.
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