Your fridge’s electricity use, explained.
A fridge stays switched on all day. Its compressor does not run at full power all day.
Rates as per TNPDCL, October 2026Estimate from watts
Using 150 W, 24 hours a day, 30 days a month and 35% compressor on-time gives 37.8 kWh per month. Over two months, that is 75.6 kWh before rounding.
These are planning assumptions. Fridge size, temperature setting, room heat, door opening and food load affect real use. The preset star options are starting values, not specifications for every product with that rating.
Estimate from annual kWh
If a BEE label says 240 kWh per year, the monthly average is 20 kWh. The two-month average is 40 kWh. The equivalent continuous average power is about 27.4 W.
The label already represents energy over time. Do not multiply it by daily hours or compressor duty again. This calculator hides those inputs in annual-label mode.
Use one method at a time. Input watts with an on-time estimate, or input annual kWh. Do not add both entries for the same fridge.
Turn units into a bill
Add the fridge to the rest of your household appliances. Free units and slab rates apply to the household total, not to each appliance separately.
The chart’s fridge cost is its proportional share of your bill. To estimate the saving from a different fridge, change its energy input and compare the full bill.
Read the BEE energy-label guide for the meaning of annual consumption and star ratings.
Use the calculator ↗