How Much Electricity Does a Commercial Refrigerator Use?

That’s a lot of energy! Before you purchase a new refrigerator or appliance, it is a good idea to know exactly how to take care of it to ensure it runs efficiently and does not waste electricity. Vinotemp has been in the business of refrigeration for many years. Here are a few tips to guarantee you make a wise purchase that does not waste energy.

When shopping for a new wine cooler, beverage cooler, commercial refrigerator, or other appliance, you will want to know approximately how much that unit will add to your electricity bill. One way to find out is to look for that appliance’s energy guide. The energy guide is a yellow label placed directly on the appliance, on the packaging, or in the owner’s manual. Included in the energy guide are the refrigerator’s estimated yearly operating cost and estimated yearly electricity use. If you cannot find the energy guide, there is no need to worry as you can make these calculations manually by using formulas from Energy.gov:

1. Calculate the daily energy consumption: (Wattage × Hours Used Per Day) ÷ 1000 = Daily Kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption
2. Calculate the annual energy consumption: Daily kWh consumption × number of days used per year = annual energy consumption
3. Calculate the annual cost: Annual energy consumption × utility rate per kWh = annual cost to run an appliance

Regular maintenance is one of the best ways to ensure your new commercial refrigerator, wine cooler, or beverage cooler runs efficiently. First, check your appliance’s owner’s manual for specific cleaning instructions. Maintenance includes wiping the unit's interior using a clean, damp cloth for most refrigerators. You should also check the appliance's gasket to ensure it is keeping its seal. Does your appliance have the proper clearance? Clearance is important because it is how the refrigerator exhausts hot air and prevents overheating. Clean the grill in front of the exhaust and remove any debris that may be obstructing the exhaust.

Please contact Vinotemp using our Contact Form with any questions about the energy consumption of our wine coolers, beverage coolers, cellar cooling systems and more. Our experts are ready to help!