How Many Amps Does a Fridge Use? A Look at Full and Small Sizes

A refrigerator is a major appliance that consumes a high amount of power. Knowing how many amps a fridge uses ensures you put it on the right circuit or use the proper generator. You can also better manage your electric bill if you know what your fridge requires. Learn how many amps a fridge uses and how to calculate amps for your fridge.

How Many Amps Does a Fridge Use?

A full-size fridge and freezer combination uses 3 to 6 amps on average, but some refrigerators go as high as 15 amps. The amps depend on the fridge’s model, make, year, and size. Most modern standard-size refrigerators should be on a 20-amp 120-volt dedicated circuit. 

The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires a dedicated circuit for refrigerators, meaning it's the only appliance or device running on that circuit breaker. A dedicated circuit prevents the fridge from overloading or tripping the breaker and reduces the risk of an electrical fire. Allow a new fridge to sit for 12 to 24 hours before plugging it in to let the fluids settle.

Newer appliances and fridges are typically more efficient than older models. Purchasing an updated, energy-efficient model can often pay off in the long run due to energy savings and the lower cost of repairs. You can also reduce your power consumption by staying up on refrigerator maintenance, such as regularly cleaning the condenser coils.

How Many Amps Does a Small Refrigerator Use?

A mini refrigerator or beverage fridge uses anywhere from under 1 amp to 2 amps. Of course, it depends on the model, make, year, and size of the fridge. The energy requirements are much lower than a standard-size fridge. It’s best to plug a small fridge into a 15-amp dedicated circuit or on a circuit that only has a few devices or appliances running on it. 

What Are Refrigerator Amps vs. Wattage?

Amps refer to the strength of the electrical current that passes through the power supply unit of an appliance. Amperage tells you how much electricity your refrigerator or other appliance is consuming. In a refrigerator, the compressor is what keeps the fridge cool, but it isn't running all the time. It cycles on and off. When the compressor is running, the amperage of the fridge is at its highest. When it's not, your fridge isn't using as many amps.

On the other hand, wattage refers to the amount of power an electrical appliance uses to run. The wattage is a factory setting and is usually listed on the fridge label or in the manufacturer's manual. For reference, typical homes have a wattage of 1,083 to 1,375W. The higher wattage of the fridge, the higher the power consumption. Full-size refrigerators range from using 400 watts to 1300 watts, with 725 watts being the average.

How to Calculate the Amount of Amps Your Fridge Uses

Unsure of how many amps your fridge uses? Determine the amps of your fridge in a few cool ways. 

1. Look at the Manufacturer Details

Look up how many amps your fridge uses in your fridge’s owner manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Not all manuals and websites have this information, so you may need to calculate the amps a different way. If that’s the case, move onto our next suggested step.

2. Determine the Amps from the Wattage

You can calculate amps using the following formula:

Daily Watt Hours/Volts = Amps

You can find the voltage and typical energy usage (watts) on the fridge’s Energy Guide rating sheet, the owner’s manual, or the manufacturer’s website. Look for the watts or energy consumption measured in kWh. This measurement tells you how many watts the fridge uses in a year. Divide the watts by 365 to calculate the daily use. Most refrigerators in the United States and Canada run on 120 volts.

Here’s an example:

Your refrigerator uses 300 kWh per year, or 300,000 watt hours. Divide 300,000 watts by 365 to get 821.91 daily watt hours.

821.91 daily watt hours / 120 volts = 6.8 amps.

3. Use a Power Meter

You can measure your fridge’s power consumption with a portable power meter. Plug it into the wall then plug your refrigerator into the meter to get an accurate measurement. Over time, you'll know exactly how much power your fridge uses.

Adding a Dedicated Circuit or Upgrading Your Electrical System

If you don’t have a dedicated 20-amp circuit for your refrigerator, you should have a local licensed electrician add one to your home. Electrical work, especially adding a new circuit, can pose dangerous risks to you and your home. The cost to add a dedicated circuit averages $700, but can be as low as $570 and as high as $1,100. 

A professional electrician can assess your electrical system and determine if you need an upgrade, especially if your home was built before 1975. Choose a licensed professional with the experience, tools, and knowledge to ensure your home is as safe as possible. 

Common Refrigerator Issues

According to data from Angi customers, 34% of people have issues with their refrigerators not getting cold enough. This is a common problem when there isn’t sufficient power running to the fridge. If you’re experiencing this and other issues, like the ice maker not working (14%) or leaking (8%), call an electrician for help.