How many amps does a refrigerator use?
The answer to this question is fairly complex as there are many factors that come into play.
In this article you will learn:
- What an Amp is
- Why they matter for your refrigerator
- How many Amps a
fridge uses on average - Energy saving tips for the
fridge
The refrigerator has become an indispensable part of every home. It’s hard to imagine life without one. That stated, refrigerators can require a lot of energy.
The answer to this question is fairly complex as there are many factors that come into play.
What Is an Amp?
The ampere is named after a French physicist and mathematician known as Andre -Marie Ampere.
An amp, or ampere, is a measuring unit for the electricity flow rate. When used in reference to refrigerators, an amp is the amount of electricity a compressor uses to cool down a
You calculate amps by dividing watts by volts.
Why Does It Matter?
The more amps your refrigerator uses, the higher your monthly energy bill will be.
Furthermore, the higher the amperage required for a
If you use the wrong size of cables to power a refrigerator, they have the potential to heat up and burn.
Download this cheat sheet to hack your monthly electric bill.
How Many Amps Does a Refrigerator Use?
If the voltage is 120, most household fridges use six amps on average. This amperage accounts for about 5 percent of your total household energy consumption.
How to Calculate the Amperage on a Refrigerator
You will need a clamp meter (colloquially known as an amp clamp) to measure amperage.
Here’s a simple break down to help you calculate how many amps your
Find Out Compressor Power
A regular
The compressor is usually located at the bottom rear of a refrigerator. Locate the compressor on your
Grab a Pen and Paper
You don’t need advanced knowledge in math to calculate your refrigerator’s amperage. But you need to know the voltage of your power supply, which is 120 volts in most homes. Divide the wattage of your
Get the Tools Out
For this step, you’ll need a clamp meter and a break-our cord. These tools will enable you to measure amperage as an alternative to step 2. Before you start, adjust the clamp meter’s sensitivity to 40 amps.
Unplug your
Check the reading on your clamp meter. That reading will be the value of how many amps your
What You Should Consider Before Buying a Fridge
To get the best refrigerator, you need to know what you want. Here are some aspects you should take into account before buying a new
Room and Floor Space
Getting a refrigerator into your house can be a hassle if you have narrow doorways and hallways. Be sure to measure the width of the pathway leading to your kitchen before getting a refrigerator. Also, consider the size of the space left in between cabinets for the installation of a
Check the measurement details of the refrigerator of your choice to see whether it fits the allocated space. You’ll need to leave a one-inch allowance at the top, side, and back of your
Refrigerator Capacity
A refrigerator’s capacity is measured in cubic feet.
The size of your household can help you in deciding the capacity you need.
Refrigerator capacities can range anywhere between 9.9 and 29 cubic feet. The general rule is to allow 4 to 6 cu. ft. per adult in your household, plus a little extra. A manufacturer’s capacity usually doesn’t factor in the space taken up by shelves, ice makers or removable partitions. So keep in mind that the actual capacity could be about 17 to 32 percent less than indicated, depending on the model.
However, if a family of 5 consists of two adults and three children, a 300-liter
Quick rule of thumb, for every adult in the home, you should allocate a minimum of 4–6 cu. ft. of
Location and Placement
You need to place your
Manufacture Date
Compared to newer refrigerator models, older fridges consume more energy. You may want to go for the latest refrigerator model to enjoy high energy-efficiency.
Refrigerator Type
With the different types of refrigerators, you can expect different levels of functionality and energy consumption. Here are different refrigerator types and their average amperages.
- Top mount
fridge – 6 amps - Bottom mount refrigerator – 7 amps
- Side-by-side
fridge – 8.5 amps - French door refrigerator– 5 amps
- Four-door refrigerator – 10 amps
- Wine
fridge – 20 amps - Bar
fridge – 6 amps - Mini
fridge – 2 amps
Energy Saving Tips for Refrigerators
With an energy-efficient
Here are 5 tips you can use to help conserve energy in your
1. Don’t open the door more times than necessary
The cold air in your
2. Avoid over-stuffing
Air will not circulate properly in your
3. Leave room between the fridge and wall
During operation, a refrigerator’s compressor releases heat. If you don’t leave enough room between your
4. Control the temperature
Set your temperature control at medium to maintain the right balance of operational efficiency and power consumption.
5. Steer clear of hot food items
Putting hot items will increase the internal temperature of your refrigerator, forcing it to work longer to reach the required temperatures. When possible wait until food has cooled down to room temperature prior to refrigerating.
In Conclusion
The amperage of your refrigerator is an important subject to understand. It will help you get an energy-efficient
Also, it will enable you to determine the size of your circuit breaker and wires. Hopefully, this article has given you an answer to how many amps your refrigerator uses.
Be sure to use the guide above to calculate the amperage on your
Download this cheat sheet to hack your monthly electric bill.
