What Does It Cost to Run a Mini Fridge in Texas?
Running a mini fridge in Texas costs about $5.16 a month — $62.84 a year — at the state's average rate of 15.94 ¢/kWh. That's roughly $9.46 a year less than a household paying the national average pays for the exact same mini fridge. The estimate assumes a typical 45-watt mini fridge running 24 hours/day, at the all-in average rate (delivery, fixed charges, and utility fees already included; locally billed taxes vary by area).
Key metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average wattage assumption | 45 W |
| Typical usage assumption | 24 hours/day |
| Estimated monthly electricity use | 32.4 kWh |
| Estimated monthly cost | $5.16 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $62.84 |
Mini Fridge cost vs U.S. average
At the state average rate, a mini fridge in Texas costs $0.78 less a month than it would at the U.S. average rate.
How much electricity does a mini fridge use?
A mini fridge draws roughly 25-80 W; we use 45 watts running 24 hours/day. That comes to 1.08 kWh a day — 32.4 kWh a month, or 394.2 kWh over a year — using kWh = watts × hours ÷ 1000. For the wattage range, amps, and how that math works, see how many watts a mini fridge uses.
Like a full-size refrigerator, a mini fridge cycles its compressor, so the 24-hour average draw is far below the label wattage. Older or heavily frosted units can quietly cost more per cubic foot than a modern full-size refrigerator. Texas prices that energy at 15.94 ¢/kWh, against a 18.34 ¢/kWh national average.
Mini Fridge operating cost estimate in Texas
| Time period | Energy use | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | 0.04 kWh | $0.01 |
| Per day | 1.08 kWh | $0.17 |
| Per month | 32.4 kWh | $5.16 |
| Per year | 394.2 kWh | $62.84 |
These figures use the all-in average rate. Your actual bill can run higher when separately billed taxes, seasonal pricing, and fixed monthly fees apply.
What changes the cost the most?
Two things move this number: your state's rate, which you can't change, and how hard the appliance works, which you often can. For a mini fridge, that mostly comes down to age and insulation quality, ambient room temperature, defrost condition.
Using yours more lightly or heavily than our assumption? The state calculator and usage-cost pages below model your exact scenario at the same rate.
For calculator-style comparisons, use the Mini Fridge calculator in Texas to compare light, typical, and heavy usage profiles.
Comparison entry points
Browse related comparisons from the energy comparison hub:
City pages for selected metros in Texas
These city pages add local rate context for the same appliance assumptions. City values are estimates.
| City | City rate | Monthly estimate | Yearly estimate | More detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 16.58 ¢/kWh | $5.37 | $64.45 | City appliance page |
| San Antonio | 16.58 ¢/kWh | $5.37 | $64.45 | City electricity context |
| Dallas | 16.58 ¢/kWh | $5.37 | $64.45 | City appliance page |
| Austin | 16.26 ¢/kWh | $5.27 | $63.21 | City appliance page |
| Fort Worth | 16.26 ¢/kWh | $5.27 | $63.21 | City electricity context |
| El Paso | 16.26 ¢/kWh | $5.27 | $63.21 | City electricity context |
City electricity pages focus on local rate context. The table above uses the statewide average rate.
Related appliance cost pages for Texas
- Refrigerator cost in Texas — Typical 40-100 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Dishwasher cost in Texas — Typical 1,200-1,800 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Electric Oven cost in Texas — Typical 2,000-5,000 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Microwave cost in Texas — Typical 600-1,500 W estimate with state-specific pricing
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a mini fridge in Texas?
At 24 hours/day and the state average rate of 15.94 ¢/kWh, you'd pay about $5.16 a month.
Does this estimate include delivery fees and taxes?
Yes — the all-in average rate already includes delivery, fixed charges, and utility fees; locally billed taxes vary by area.
Where else can I compare this appliance?
See the appliance comparison guide, or the Texas bill estimator for whole-household profiles.
State cost and bill pathways for Texas
- Texas electricity price per kWh — What a kWh of electricity costs in Texas
- Texas electricity rates & prices — Core authority page with statewide pricing context
- Texas electricity cost analysis — State-level cost, affordability, and value overview
- Houston electricity estimate (Texas) — City electricity page with methodology notes where city coverage is available
- Average electric bill in Texas — What a typical monthly bill looks like
- Texas household bill estimator — Estimate your bill from your monthly usage
Historical and trend pages
- Texas electricity price history — Historical context and trend interpretation
- Electricity inflation in Texas — State electricity inflation analysis
- Texas electricity price volatility — Volatility and rate movement profile
Fixed-usage and calculator pathways
- Electricity cost for 100 kWh in Texas — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- Electricity cost for 102 kWh in Texas — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- 114 kWh cost in Texas — Cost for this usage amount in the same state
- Texas electricity cost calculator — Custom kWh and scenario cost calculation
Appliance and estimator pathways
- Refrigerator cost in Texas — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Refrigerator calculator in Texas — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Space Heater cost in Texas — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Space Heater calculator in Texas — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Window Ac cost in Texas — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Window Ac calculator in Texas — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
State comparison pathways for Texas
- Texas electricity comparisons — State-to-state comparison hub
- Texas vs Alabama electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
- Texas vs Alaska electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
Discovery and navigation hubs
- Texas electricity hub — Guide to this state's electricity rate, usage, comparison, and tool pages
- Electricity cost scenario hub — Entry point for residential and industry scenario pages
- Texas electricity cost overview — State-level electricity cost page with rates and typical bill context
- Average electric bill in Texas — Typical monthly bill estimate using a standard household usage assumption
- Texas electricity bill estimator — Household profile bill scenarios for this state
- Electricity usage hubs — Browse cost pages by common household usage tiers
Consumer electricity drivers
- Price drivers in Texas — Understand what influences state electricity prices
Source & Method
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Retail Sales of Electricity. Updated: June 2026. Estimates use the EIA all-in average residential rate — energy, delivery, fixed charges, and utility fees together, not just the electricity itself. Fees are inside the rate, not an extra on top; how your own bill splits fixed versus per-kWh charges varies by utility. For what's inside the all-in rate, see hidden electricity fees; for how rates and estimates are defined, see the methodology hub.