How Many Amps Does a Fridge Use?

Refrigerators are typically among the most power-consuming household appliances, especially older models. If you’re looking to reduce electricity usage or use alternative energy sources to save on bills, understanding your refrigerator’s long-term power consumption is essential. Typically, a refrigerator’s power consumption ranges from 3 to 5 amps, while the surge current during startup may require a dedicated circuit of up to 15 to 20 amps to support it.

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What Are Refrigerator Amps?

For most household refrigerators, under a standard 120-volt voltage, the running amperage is typically between 3 to 5 amps. This means the refrigerator consumes a relatively stable current during daily cooling operations, efficiently keeping food fresh. However, when the compressor starts, it generates a brief but significant surge current, which can reach 3 to 5 times the normal running current, typically requiring 15 to 20 amps of support.

Definitions of Amps, Volts, Watts, and Running Watts

To accurately understand a refrigerator’s power consumption, mastering some basic electrical terms is key. These terms not only help you calculate the running amperage of a refrigerator but also allow you to understand startup current demands and estimate overall energy consumption. Below are the definitions of amps, volts, watts, and running watts, along with their calculation formulas.

Amps (Amperes)

Amps measure the unit of electrical current, indicating the amount of current flowing through an appliance. Think of it as the “flow rate” of electricity, reflecting the amount of power an appliance consumes during operation.
Formula: Amps (A) = Power (W) ÷ Voltage (V), or A = W / V.
For example, if a refrigerator’s power is 360 watts and the voltage is 120 volts, the running amps are: 360 ÷ 120 = 3 amps.

Volts

Volts are the unit of voltage, representing the electrical potential difference that drives current through a circuit. You can think of voltage as the “pressure” in a water pipe, determining the strength of the current flow. Household refrigerators typically operate at 120 volts (North American standard) or 220–240 volts (other regions).
Formula: Voltage (V) = Power (W) ÷ Current (A), or V = W / A.

Watts

Watts are the unit of power, measuring the rate at which an appliance consumes or produces electrical energy per second. The higher the wattage, the more power the appliance consumes.
Formula: Power (W) = Voltage (V) × Current (A), or W = V × A.
For example, a refrigerator running at 3 amps under 120 volts has a power of: 120 × 3 = 360 watts.

Running Watts

Running watts refer to the continuous power required to keep an appliance operating, typically lower than the startup watts. Refrigerators require a higher surge current at startup, but running watts reflect their daily energy consumption.
Formula: Running Watts (W) = Voltage (V) × Running Amps (A), or W = V × A.
For example, a refrigerator requiring 3 amps at 120 volts has a running wattage of: 120 × 3 = 360 watts.

Amperes and wattage of different types of refrigerators

The following are the typical operating amperes and wattage of various types of refrigerators at 120 volts (American standard voltage). These data can help you estimate your power demand, select the correct circuit, or explore backup power options.