Does a Refrigerator in the Garage Use More Electricity?


This article discusses if a refrigerator in the garage uses more electricity. Are you thinking about purchasing an additional refrigerator for your garage and are wondering if it uses more electricity? A refrigerator will work hard to keep the food inside cool when exposed to a hot temperature. If your garage is uninsulated, this is something that you might be concerned about. Let us learn more about this below.

Does a refrigerator in the garage use more electricity? If a refrigerator is kept in an uninsulated garage, it will use more energy, especially during the hot seasons so that the food stays cool and fresh inside. The higher the outside temperature is, the harder the fridge will work and the more electricity it will use.

Why is it more expensive to run a refrigerator in the garage? What are the energy-saving tips for your refrigerator? How many watts does a refrigerator use? What affects the electricity consumption of the refrigerator? These are some of the questions that we will discuss. Check out the rest of the article below for more tips and information.

Does a refrigerator in the garage use more electricity
Image by Solomon Rodgers from Pixabay

Is it Expensive to Operate a Refrigerator in the Garage?

If the garage is uninsulated, it will be expensive to operate a refrigerator there. Approximately, it costs about a hundred dollars yearly to operate a fridge in the garage. Of course, the cost will have to depend on the size of the refrigerator. If you want to keep a fridge in the garage, make sure that you find the right spot where it can remain cool all year round.

Why is a Refrigerator in the Garage More Expensive?

The major reason why a refrigerator in the garage is more expensive is because of the temperature. The garage is warmer compared to the kitchen. Hence, the fridge will run longer and work harder so that it can cope with the outside temperature and also keep the air inside cool. Another reason is that many homeowners would move their old refrigerators into the garage. Older fridges are less efficient because of age and other problems which can cost more to operate.

How to Save Electricity While Running a Refrigerator in Your Garage

Keeping the fridge clean, checking the temperature, placing it in a cool spot, and sealing it up are some ways to save electricity while running the refrigerator. It is also recommended that you use a garage-ready refrigerator. This type of refrigerator has a wide temperature range. Moreover, make sure to insulate your garage to maintain a cool temperature all year round. Let us learn more about this below.

Clean the Refrigerator

Make sure to clean the refrigerator every three months. Check the coil for any dust or debris. You also need to inspect the back parts of the fridge. Make sure to reach every nook and corny of the fridge so that you can rest assured that there is nothing that can block the circulation of air. Take note that when air circulates freely, the fridge will use less electricity.

Consider the Temperature

You also need to be mindful of the temperature of the fridge. The ideal temperature for the refrigerator is 37 degrees Fahrenheit while for the freezer, it is 0 degrees. Avoid using colder settings because it can waste more electricity.

Keep Refrigerators Door Closed

Cold air should not escape from the inside of the refrigerator. The rubber gaskets located around the doors of the refrigerator keep cold air in. Make sure to replace the gaskets in case you notice that the cold air is seeping out. Moreover, avoid opening the fridge door frequently especially if you only peek at the contents and do not get anything there. When the door is opened, hot air from the outside also gets inside the fridge and it has to work so that it turns hot air into cool.

Avoid Placing It Near Heat Sources

Do not place the refrigerator near heat sources because it will use more electricity just to maintain a cool internal temperature. These heat sources include radiators, windows, and other appliances.

Allow Warm Food to Cool Before Storing

Do not store hot foods immediately in the fridge. Make sure to let them cool before you put them in. This will not only prevent the food from spoiling, but it will also avoid the fridge’s compressor from working too hard. Bear in mind that placing warm food inside the refrigerator can increase its internal temperature. As a result, the refrigerator will use more electricity so that it can lower the temperature.

Place the Refrigerator in a Cool Area

You also have to make sure that you place the refrigerator in the cool area in your garage. Fridges expel hot air and they need to work harder when their environment is also hot. Hence, it will consume more electricity. You can also read this article that discusses if outdoor fridges need to be under cover. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.

What are the Factors that Affect the Amount of Electricity that a Refrigerator Consumes?

The amount of electricity that the refrigerator consumes depends on various factors like the size and type of refrigerator, its location, usage, condition, and age. Let us learn more about these factors below.

Size and Type

The size and type of refrigerator that you have will affect the amount of electricity that it consumes. For instance, if you have a commercial display refrigerator, it can use up to ten times more energy as compared to a regular refrigerator. Moreover, the bigger the size of the refrigerator, the more electricity it will consume.

Location and Season

The location and season will also affect the electricity consumption of the refrigerator. If your garage is warm and uninsulated, you can expect a high electricity bill because the fridge will use more electricity so that it can maintain a cool temperature. Aside from that, electric bills will also increase during the summer season because of higher ambient temperature.

Usage and Temperature Set Point

How you use the fridge will also affect the amount of electricity that it consumes. Frequent opening and closing of the fridge door means that the compressor needs to work harder so that it will keep the temperature cool. If your refrigerator is empty, it will also consume more electricity. You also need to be aware of the temperature set point of the fridge because it can keep the fridge cooler than required. We have also shared this article titled, where is the warmest place in a refrigerator? You can check out the article for more tips and information.

Age and Condition

The age and condition of the fridge will also affect its electricity consumption. Old refrigerators are energy-efficient because they use less energy as compared to the new high-star-rated refrigerators. On the other hand, if your fridge is old and in bad condition, its electric consumption will increase.

✅ Video – How Much Electricity Does a Refrigerator Use?

Vox Atlanta shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses how much electrical power a refrigerator use. The refrigerator used in the video is a basic one that features an ice maker and a freezer. Watch the video for more tips and information.

Why Should You Purchase an Energy Star Certified Refrigerator?

You should purchase an Energy Star Certified refrigerator because it consumes less electricity which means that you can save on your budget. Energy Star certification is given to various appliances that meet the strict requirements for the use of energy. This program is being monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency. A refrigerator that is energy star certified uses less energy and is also more affordable to operate. Aside from that, it also gives off fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

How Long Does a Refrigerator Last?

When properly used and maintained, a refrigerator can last between 14 to 17 years. The lifespan will have to depend on various factors. For instance, compact refrigerators can last longer as compared to larger models. You can also check out this article that discusses what the difference is between a regular refrigerator and a garage refrigerator. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.

Can a Garage Refrigerator Increase My Electric Bill?

A garage refrigerator can increase your electric bill. Refrigerators are considered the largest energy consumers in the house. Moreover, different factors can greatly increase your electric bills. The good thing is that there are ways where you can save on your electric bills even if the refrigerator is used a lot.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed if a refrigerator in the garage uses more electricity. We have found out that a garage refrigerator can consume more electricity. Different factors can affect how much electricity the refrigerator in the garage can consume. If you purchase a refrigerator for the garage, make sure that it is garage friendly.

You might also need to insulate your garage so that the temperature will remain cool throughout the year. An uninsulated and hot garage will make the refrigerator work harder which means that it will use more electricity. Thank you for reading!

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