
A refrigerator uses around 120 watts of power. That’s equivalent to 1 amp. A regular household outlet can provide up to 750 watts, so a refrigerator works with an average voltage of around 120 volts. So in total, a refrigerator uses around 5 to 7 amps.
A refrigerator with an amp rating of 1,000 will be able to use up to 1,000 watts at 120 volts. So if you have an outlet that provides more than 1,000 watts of power at your house (maybe in a garage or basement), your refrigerator will be able to draw that power without any issues.
Before we dive into calculating how many amps does a refrigerator use and it’s important to understand what each component in the appliance is responsible for?
Table of contents:
How Many Amps Does a refrigerator Use?
1. Amperage
2. Wattage
3. Voltage Power Supply
How many amps does a refrigerator use on startup?
What are refrigerator starting watts?
How many amps does a mini fridge use? How to Calculate Amperage?
1. Use Energy Meter
2. Search for the Energy Star Rating
3. Calculate Using The Nameplate
How to Reduce the Energy Consumption of your Refrigerator
- Keep your freezer full
- Close the door gently
- Choose the right refrigerator size
- Use a low-wattage light bulb
- Install a programmable thermostat
- Clean your refrigerator regularly
- Don’t overfill your garbage can
- Clean the coils regularly
- Set your refrigerator temperature at the lowest setting
Conclusion
FAQS
How Many Amps Does a Refrigerator Use?

Most refrigerators use around 5 to 7 amps, but there are a few that use up to 1,000 amps. If your refrigerator has an amp rating of 1,000, it can draw power from an outlet that provides more than 1,000 watts.
To figure out how many watts it takes to power a refrigerator, you’ll need to divide the amp rating by the volts and then multiply that number by the wattage. For this instance, you must know what is amp, volt, and wattage.
Amperage:
The amperage rating of an apparatus lets you know how much electrical flow it can deal with. Amperage is estimated in amps and is typically shown close to the model number or name of the machine. Usually, amps does a refrigerator use are 5-7 amps.
Wattage:
Wattage (contracted W) is how much power a gadget consumes. It’s deliberate in watts and is constantly given regarding a particular voltage or amperage.
Voltage Power Supply
A Voltage Power Supply is a circuit that gives an electrical result. They’re utilized where there’s not a normal outlet accessible, as in vehicles or boats.
The typical voltage in the US is around 120 volts. So a voltage power supply will give a result that is equivalent to or more prominent than the typical voltage of your home.
What number of amps does a refrigerator use on startup?
On the off chance that you have a more seasoned refrigerator that doesn’t have a programmed shutoff, it might utilize something like 10 amps when it fires up. Assuming that your cooler has a programmed shutoff, it will utilize under 1 amp on startup.
What are Refrigerator starting watts?
All things considered, a cooler purposes around 800 to 1200 watts when it fires up. Assuming that your cooler has a programmed shutoff, it will utilize under 1 amp on startup.
How many amps does a mini fridge use?

A little refrigerator generally utilizes around 2 amps, however, it can utilize something like 4 amps on the off chance that it’s running a lot of capabilities without a moment’s delay, such as cooling or freezing. Normally, 4 amps do a cooler use.
How to Calculate Amperage?
Indeed, there’s no authoritative solution to this inquiry, as it relies upon the sort of ammeter you’re utilizing and the particular voltages and flows included. Notwithstanding, the following are a couple of overall principles that might be useful:
Use Energy Meter:
On the off chance that you’re utilizing an energy meter to gauge how much energy is utilized by your apparatuses, you’ll have to utilize the amp rating of the machine and the wattage of the machine.
For instance, suppose your fridge has an amp rating of 1,000 and you’re utilizing an energy meter to quantify its wattage. You would involve 1000 as the amp rating and separate it by the wattage (W) to figure out the number of watts it that is working at some random time.
Search for the Energy Star Rating
If you’re looking for a refrigerator that’s Energy Star certified, make sure to check the rating. A number of models that are Energy Star certified use less than 1,000 watts of power.
Calculate Using The Nameplate
If you’re using a wiring diagram to calculate the amount of power your appliance is using, you’ll need to find the nameplate wattage of the appliance. This will usually be located on the rear or side of the appliance and you will ultimately know how many amps does a refrigerator use usually.
For example, if you have an appliance with a wattage of 400 watts, you would use 4 as the number on your wiring diagram.
How to Reduce the Energy Consumption of your Refrigerator:
There are a few things you could do to reduce the electricity intake of your refrigerator. Here are a few tips:
–Keep your freezer full: In addition to this it will assist to maintain your refrigerator cooler and less electricity will be required for the refrigerator to operate. If you are still confused how to do this read our article on how to organize refrigerator.
–Close the door gently: Gentle closing instead of slamming a door will help in energy conservation.
–Choose the right refrigerator size: The bigger the refrigerator, the higher the energy consumption.
–Use a low-wattage light bulb: Use LED or compact fluorescent bulbs in place of incandescent light bulbs whenever possible. The energy consumed by these bulbs is way less than that used by incandescent bulbs
–Install a programmable thermostat: This will help you to save energy by setting a temperature schedule depending on the hours of the day or days of the week
–Clean your refrigerator regularly: This will clear off any build-up of food or bacteria and reduce the energy requirement of your refrigerator. For proper maintenance read our guide on how to clean refrigerator.
–Don’t overfill your garbage can: This will make the refrigerator heavy and it will take more energy to move it or to cool it down
–Clean the coils regularly: Dirty coils use more energy to run your refrigerator.
–Set your refrigerator temperature at the lowest setting: Cold temperature uses less energy to remain cold. So, how cold should a refrigerator be.
Refrigerator volts and amps
Refrigerators use both volts and amps. The most common voltages in a refrigerator are 120 and 240 volts. The most common amps does a refrigerator use is close to 1,000 and 3,000 amps. Do not worry if you are not familiar with these terms. This article will let you know how many amps does a refrigerator use.
Conclusion:
There you have it – a short summary of the several methods of calculating amp ratings and reducing energy use of your fridge. Therefore, you know how many amps does a refrigerator use and if you are ever unsure of how much power your appliance uses feel free to consult an expert or even use any of the methods mentioned above.
FAQS:
Can a refrigerator be on a 15 amp circuit?
Some of them are designed to be connected to a 15 amp circuit, while others are not. If your refrigerator may not work well and may even get ruined on a 15 amp circuit if it is not made to be plugged into one. To find what kind of circuit your appliance works and how many amps does a refrigerator use, consult your appliance instruction manual.
Does a refrigerator require a 20 amp circuit?
Yes, a refrigerator can require a 15-20 amp circuit. However, if your refrigerator is not meant to be plugged within a 15 amp circuit, it may not work properly, and you might experience damaged appliances. Always read the appliance’s instruction booklet to find out what kind of circuits it can use.
How many refrigerators can be on a 20-amp circuit?
A 20 amp circuit can accommodate up to two refrigerators. However ensure that the appliances are rated for the same amperage, as a circuit is overload it can damage the appliance.
Can I plug a refrigerator into a 20 amp outlet?
Some refrigerators can be plugged into a 20 amp outlet, while other’s cannot. If your refrigerator is not made to plug into a 20 amp outlet. Therefore, you should purchase only those appliances that have been installed with appropriate outlet configuration. Improper use of appliances can lead to damaged appliances and bad performance. First, you should check the appliance instruction booklet that provides any details on the type of outlet it should be connected to.
Can I run 2 refrigerators on the same outlet?
In this respect, there is no straightforward explanation as it depends on the design and type of the fridge and the outlet arrangement. In general, it is advised that not to use two refrigerators in one outlet because they will consume more energy than necessary.
How many amps does a refrigerator use on startup?
To determine how many amps does a refrigerator use when it starts up, you’ll need to know the wattage of the refrigerator and the amp rating of the fridge. To do this, you would divide the wattage (W) by the amp rating (A). Usually, a fridge uses 0.6 amps when it starts up also when your refrigerator starts up, it will usually use between 100 and 500 watts of power.