Electricity Cost by StateHow much does a mini fridge cost to run in West Virginia?
Use the annual kWh on your label. The starting example is a 4.4 cu ft Danby at 268 kWh/year.
A mini fridge using the example 268 kWh a year costs
$3.52 a month
Model example: Danby DAR044A5BSLDD, a 4.4 cu ft all-refrigerator with automatic defrost and no freezer. Its manufacturer EnergyGuide lists 268 kWh/year. Annual energy includes the label test cycle; no compressor wattage or duty multiplier is applied.
Rate source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, July 2026 data, last confirmed with the EIA on October 5, 2026. All sources
- A day
- $0.12
- An hour, averaged
- $0.00
- A year
- $42.29
Evidence: a named model record from a primary source (manufacturer or certification listing). It is one example, not a market average.
At West Virginia’s average rate of 15.8¢ per kWh (EIA, July 2026). How we calculate this
Compact fridge sizes and annual energy
These are three named records, not a market average or an equal-storage comparison. Capacity, defrost method and freezer needs matter as well as annual kWh. Match the full model and label revision on your unit: similar names can have different energy figures.
| Model / record | Capacity / type | kWh/year | A month | A year | Source / estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danby DAR044A5BSLDDManufacturer EnergyGuide for DAR044A5BSLDD | 4.4 cu ftAll-refrigerator; automatic defrost; no freezer | 268 | $3.52 | $42.29 | Primary record · Use 268 kWh/year |
| Frigidaire EFR180ENERGY STAR 2362096; certified 2020-06-16 | 1.6 cu ftCompact refrigerator; manual defrost | 158 | $2.08 | $24.93 | Primary record · Use 158 kWh/year |
| Danby DCR044B1BMENERGY STAR 2338885; certified 2019-05-14 | 4.4 cu ftCompact refrigerator; manual defrost | 228 | $3.00 | $35.98 | Primary record · Use 228 kWh/year |
Label annual kWh already reflects the test cycle. Do not multiply it by compressor wattage, operating hours or a second duty factor. EnergyGuide dollar estimates use the label’s own electricity price; the costs above recalculate the energy at the displayed benchmark. These older records identify installed-model examples and do not establish current availability.
What does adding a second fridge cost?
Keeping your existing fridge and adding the 268 kWh/year example adds about $42.29 a year, or $3.52 a month, at the West Virginia benchmark. This is additional energy; it does not replace the existing fridge’s use.
For your added bill charge, multiply your exact model’s annual kWh by the variable price per kWh on your tariff. Existing fixed service charges usually remain the same. The state benchmark is an average bill rate, so it may differ from your marginal price. A garage, warm room, frequent door opening or different thermostat setting can change actual consumption.
Add this mini fridge to a household inventory. The link starts with this one appliance; add your existing fridge and other loads separately, once each.
What it costs if yours uses more or less
| Consumption | A day | A month | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 134 kWh a year | $0.06 | $1.76 | $21.15 |
| 201 kWh a year | $0.09 | $2.64 | $31.72 |
| 268 kWh a year (example) | $0.12 | $3.52 | $42.29 |
| 402 kWh a year | $0.17 | $5.29 | $63.44 |
| 536 kWh a year | $0.23 | $7.05 | $84.58 |
West Virginia compared with other states
West Virginia’s residential rate is the 21st cheapest of 51 states and DC, 2.5¢ below the US average of 18.3¢ (−14%). West Virginia’s rate is up 0.4¢ from July 2025 (15.4¢, +2.3%).
West Virginia’s rate is 14% below the US average, so running a mini fridge as assumed costs $6.78 a year less than at the US average rate ($42.29 against $49.07).
Ways to spend less
- Use the annual kWh on your exact model label or a representative measured estimate; do not multiply compressor watts by every hour of the year.
- Compare usable storage, temperature requirements and freezer needs before interpreting a lower annual energy figure as a substitute.
- Allow the installation clearances and ambient temperature range in the model instructions; a garage or cabinet may not match the label test conditions.
- An additional fridge adds energy use; count it once in the household inventory and use your own variable tariff for the added bill charge.
Questions
How much does it cost to run a mini fridge per year in West Virginia?
About $42.29 a year at West Virginia’s average of 15.8¢ per kWh, assuming it uses 268 kWh a year in this named model example. That is $3.52 a month or $0.12 a day.
How much electricity does a mini fridge use per month?
About 22.3 kWh a month (268 kWh a year ÷ 12), which costs $3.52 in West Virginia. Your model may use more or less: the yellow EnergyGuide label on it shows its own annual kWh.
How much does it cost to run a mini fridge per day?
About $0.12 a day: 0.734 kWh at 15.8¢ per kWh.
Why does a mini fridge cost more or less to run in West Virginia than elsewhere?
West Virginia’s residential rate is the 21st cheapest of 51 states and DC, 2.5¢ below the US average of 18.3¢ (−14%). West Virginia’s rate is up 0.4¢ from July 2025 (15.4¢, +2.3%). The appliance uses the same energy everywhere; only the price per kWh changes.
Sources
- Danby: Danby DAR044A5BSLDD annual-energy record
- ENERGY STAR: Frigidaire EFR180 annual-energy record
- ENERGY STAR: Danby DCR044B1BM annual-energy record
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A: average price of electricity to ultimate customers, residential, July 2026 Retrieved from the EIA API on September 27, 2026.
Usage assumptions (hours a day, season) are ours and listed on the methodology page. Found an error? Tell us.
Saved on this device
Saved scenarios stay in this browser only. They are not sent to us; clearing this site's data also removes them.