What Does It Cost to Run a Refrigerator in Massachusetts?
This page estimates the energy-only cost to run a refrigerator in Massachusetts using a typical home refrigerator that stays plugged in 24 hours a day, an average load of 60 watts, and a typical runtime of 24 hours/day.
Key metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average wattage assumption | 60 W |
| Typical usage assumption | 24 hours/day |
| Estimated monthly electricity use | 43.2 kWh |
| Estimated monthly cost | $13.05 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $158.78 |
Refrigerator cost vs U.S. average
At the statewide average residential rate, running a refrigerator in Massachusetts costs more per month by $4.83 than the same usage pattern priced at the current U.S. average electricity rate.
How much electricity does a refrigerator use?
This estimate uses a typical wattage range of 40-100 W and a modeling assumption of 60 watts for 24 hours/day. Using the formula kWh = (watts × hours) / 1000, that works out to 1.44 kWh per day, 43.2 kWh per 30-day month, and 525.6 kWh per year.
Refrigerators are always plugged in. The compressor only runs part of the time and cycles on and off based on internal temperature, so the 24-hour average power draw is much lower than the peak running wattage. Modern refrigerators typically average about 40–100 watts over a full day. In Massachusetts, that energy is priced using the statewide residential average of 30.21 ¢/kWh, with a national benchmark of 19.04 ¢/kWh for comparison.
Refrigerator operating cost estimate in Massachusetts
| Time period | Energy use | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | 0.06 kWh | $0.02 |
| Per day | 1.44 kWh | $0.44 |
| Per month | 43.2 kWh | $13.05 |
| Per year | 525.6 kWh | $158.78 |
These estimates isolate electricity usage only. Real utility bills can be higher because delivery charges, taxes, seasonal pricing, and fixed monthly fees are not included in this appliance model.
What changes the cost the most?
The biggest cost drivers for a refrigerator are the local electricity rate and real-world usage intensity. For this appliance, the main swing factors are appliance age, door-opening frequency, garage vs indoor placement.
If your usage is lighter or heavier than the assumption on this page, the linked state calculator and usage-cost pages below are the fastest way to model a custom scenario with the same state electricity rate.
For calculator-style comparisons, use the Refrigerator calculator in Massachusetts to compare light, typical, and heavy usage profiles.
Comparison entry points
The energy comparison hub links appliance, state, and usage pages so you can browse related comparisons from one place. The main appliance cost reference for this state remains this page.
City pages for selected metros in Massachusetts
These city pages add local rate context for the same appliance assumptions. City values are modeled estimates; the primary appliance reference for the whole state is still the table on this page.
| City | City rate | Monthly estimate | Yearly estimate | More detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | 28.60 ¢/kWh | $12.36 | $148.26 | City electricity context |
City electricity pages focus on household rate context. This state-level appliance page stays the main place to compare appliance run cost using the statewide average rate.
Related appliance cost pages for Massachusetts
- Dishwasher cost in Massachusetts — Typical 1,200-1,800 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Electric Oven cost in Massachusetts — Typical 2,000-5,000 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Microwave cost in Massachusetts — Typical 600-1,500 W estimate with state-specific pricing
- Toaster Oven cost in Massachusetts — Typical 1,200-1,800 W estimate with state-specific pricing
State cost and bill pathways for Massachusetts
- Average power price in Massachusetts — Residential rate benchmark used in scenario estimates
- Massachusetts electricity overview — Core authority page with statewide pricing context
- Electricity cost in Massachusetts — State-level cost, affordability, and value overview
- Electricity cost in Boston, Massachusetts — City electricity page with methodology notes where city coverage is available
- Massachusetts monthly electricity bill estimate — Bill-focused context for household usage
- Electric bill estimator scenarios in Massachusetts — Household profile bill scenarios with fixed monthly kWh assumptions
Historical and trend pages
- Historical electricity prices in Massachusetts — Historical context and trend interpretation
- Electricity inflation in Massachusetts — State electricity inflation analysis
- Massachusetts electricity price volatility — Volatility and rate movement profile
Fixed-usage and calculator pathways
- 500 kWh cost in Massachusetts — Usage-tier estimate for the same state
- 1,000 kWh cost in Massachusetts — Usage-tier estimate for the same state
- Electricity cost for 1,500 kWh in Massachusetts — Usage-tier estimate for the same state
- Custom usage calculator for Massachusetts — Custom kWh and scenario cost calculation
Appliance and estimator pathways
- Refrigerator cost in Massachusetts — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Refrigerator calculator in Massachusetts — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Space Heater cost in Massachusetts — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Space Heater calculator in Massachusetts — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
- Window Ac cost in Massachusetts — Appliance operating-cost page for this state
- Window Ac calculator in Massachusetts — Calculator page for adjusting wattage and usage for this appliance
State comparison pathways for Massachusetts
- Compare Massachusetts with other states — State-to-state comparison hub
- Massachusetts vs California electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
- Massachusetts vs Florida electricity cost — Head-to-head comparison page
Discovery and navigation hubs
- Massachusetts 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
- Massachusetts electricity cost overview — State-level electricity cost page with rates and typical bill context
- Massachusetts average electricity bill benchmark — Typical monthly bill estimate using a standard household usage assumption
- Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts — Understand what influences state electricity prices
Source & Method
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Retail Sales of Electricity. Updated: March 2026. Estimates are energy-only and exclude delivery charges, taxes, and fixed utility fees. For how rates and estimates are defined, see the methodology hub.