Old fridge energy cost calculator

Compare the yearly electricity cost of your old fridge with a proposed replacement. Use annual energy figures in kWh for both. A power label in watts is not the same as annual energy, because a fridge switches on and off.

For the old fridge, use a measured annual figure or a suitable energy label. For the replacement, use the exact model label or documented annual estimate. Check that the two figures describe comparable conditions and storage needs. Fridge age alone cannot supply a reliable energy figure.

Add the full installed replacement price to estimate simple payback from electricity savings. Personal inputs start empty. The worked example shows how the calculation fits together and is not a typical value for every fridge.

Annual cost = labelled or measured annual kWh × electricity price. Saving = old annual cost − new annual cost. Replacement payback = installed price ÷ positive annual saving.

Energy prices are entered in pence or cents per kWh unless the field names another unit. Divide by 100 to obtain pounds or dollars. Fixed supply charges are excluded unless explicitly entered. Use tax-inclusive bill prices for personal scenarios.

Read both annual costs and the saving. A positive saving means the replacement uses less money at the entered price. Payback asks how long that same annual saving would take to cover the entered replacement price. Zero or negative savings give no finite payback.

These illustrative inputs are separate from your saved answers. Prices, use and performance are held constant for this worked scenario; they are not personal defaults.

Use comparable labels or measured annual consumption. Age alone does not supply energy use and new labels can use a different test procedure.

Payback compares energy costs only and excludes disposal, repairs, financing and other benefits.

Annual scenarios hold prices and usage constant. Simple payback excludes financing, replacement, degradation and future price changes. There is no finite payback when the annual saving is zero or negative.

A short meter sample may not describe a full year. Room conditions, door use and settings can differ from the label test or your sample period. Use documented annual estimates and keep a note of how you obtained them.

The calculator does not decide whether repairing or replacing a fridge is the better overall choice. Compare its size, condition and useful service separately. Incomplete edits keep the last valid result visible with a warning.

Check whether the energy label covers the whole appliance you are comparing, including any freezer section. Record the source of each annual figure so you can revisit the comparison. Changing the electricity price applies the same price to both fridges. This keeps the cost difference tied to the entered energy figures rather than to two unrelated tariffs.

Use the country version that matches your home and use tax-inclusive electricity prices. UK published rates come from the stored Ofgem regional and payment record. Australian published rates come from the stored AER or Victorian network record.

Those reference prices have checked dates and may differ from your actual plan. Use your bill price when it better matches the electricity the fridge will use. Fixed supply charges are excluded because this compares the energy used by the appliances.

Ask the maker or a qualified repair professional if the fridge energy figure or condition is uncertain. A cost comparison cannot diagnose a fault or confirm that equipment is safe.

Keep the model details, energy labels, meter records and replacement quote. Check that the quote covers the setup you intend to buy. Follow the maker instructions and local requirements for installation and disposal.