A refrigerator is one of the most essential items of kitchen equipment for preserving food. No kitchen is complete without a refrigerator. When the power goes out or the unit fails, putting our food’s safety in peril, we are immediately reminded of its importance in our everyday life and it also helps in slowing down bacterial growth.
Every person requires a fridge whether be a man or woman, a single person or married, refrigerator is a must product for a household.
Choosing whether to buy a mini-fridge is one of the difficult questions in itself, which raises several concerns like… How many amps does a mini fridge consume? Or how much power does a mini fridge consume? If you need to store food and beverages in a tiny, compact space like under-counter, a mini-fridge is a great option as compared to a full-sized refrigerator.
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What Is A Mini Fridge?
A mini-fridge is a type of refrigerator that comes in different sizes ranging from 1.7 cubic feet to 4.5 cubic feet. There are numerous models of such lightweight refrigerators. They perform well in various locations, including offices, homes, hotels, and more. A mini-fridge has many advantages like… It is an energy-efficient choice that requires little care. This device also saves space, is portable, easy to use, and cost-friendly. You can also choose a range of patterns, colors, and sizes to fit your needs and decor.
The average small fridge has a capacity of 1.7 to 4.5 cubic feet. The smallest models are cube-shaped and are approximately 17 ½ inches broad, 18 ½ inches deep, and 20 ½ch tall. Mini fridges with additional capacity or a freezer chamber are also popular among youngsters and office people.
A mini-fridge does not have to be placed in the kitchen as it can be placed anywhere you want like in your home bar, living room, or simply a room where everyone gathers, a mini-fridge is a must-have. So now there will be no more dashes to the kitchen to grab water/soft drinks to keep everyone hydrated and happy.
What Is Wattage And How Does It Works?
Watts are units of electricity that represent the rate at which electricity is produced or consumed. How to calculate the watts of any appliance? Multiply voltage by the current to calculate the watts of an electrical item or system, this provides us with the total power output in watts. This is the most precise and easy method of calculating consumption. Overall power usage for appliances is often measured in kilowatts.
Also, refrigerators, on average, are only turned on one-third of the time. To determine a refrigerator’s true power consumption, divide its wattage by one-third (1/3).
Keep in mind that the wattage of your refrigerator will vary depending on its size and age. The usual mini fridge consumes between 50 and 65 watts. However, this is not the same for everyone. Some designs may consume less than that, while others may use more. In fact, some models can consume up to 100 watts! Furthermore, its power consumption will be influenced by factors like the ambient temperature in the kitchen and even how long you leave the mini fridge’s door open. So, keep the door closed!
How To Check How Much Watts Does My Mini Fridge Use?
As we all know that different types of fridges require different power needs. A normal residential refrigerator consumes 500 watts of power. In terms of energy use, this equates to 1460 kilowatt-hours per year. Refrigerator power consumption is affected by a variety of factors, including the type of refrigerator you own, its age and size, its energy star ratings, the overall temperature in your kitchen, the type of refrigerator, and where you install it.
When functioning, a mini fridge consumes approximately 70 watts. The amount of energy consumed per day is determined by how long it runs every day. For example, if your mini fridge runs for 10 hours every day, it will consume 700Wh.
Older the fridge, the higher the power to operate. The wattage of a small fridge, like that of other types of refrigerators, is usually listed on its specification label which you get with the purchase. You can either check the spec sheet or Google the model number to find out how much power your mini fridge is consuming.
Energy Consumption By Mini Fridge Vs Full Sized Fridge
The average domestic refrigerator contains roughly 19 cubic feet of space (generally between 15 and 25 depending on the type), which necessitates a significant amount of power to operate.
A mini fridge typically consumes 80 to 100 watts to operate. Many full-size refrigerators can run as low as 100 watts and as much as 250 watts, depending on their energy efficiency rating, age of the fridge, and overall size.
In short, a full-sized refrigerator has the potential to increase your bill by 2.5x as compared to a mini fridge.
Best 6 Tips For Lowering Your Mini Fridge Power Bill
Proper maintenance and a few easy lifestyle changes can help you reduce the electricity consumption of your mini refrigerator. Here are a few tips for lowering the energy use of your refrigerator:
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Keep The Door Closed
Every time you open the mini fridge door, the inside temperature rises. To compensate, the engine begins to work extra, consuming more energy. Avoid looking longingly into the refrigerator to pick what you want for food. Leaving the door open for long allows cool air to escape and warm air to enter, causing the refrigerator to work harder to maintain its normal temperature.
If you’re constantly opening the fridge to get something, your electricity cost will most likely be quite high. Therefore, you should avoid leaving the door open for too long.
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Clean Out Your Coils
Cleaning the coils on your refrigerator can help increase its energy efficiency and durability. Condenser coils are typically placed at the bottom or underside of a refrigerator and are prone to clogging and dust buildup. By keeping your coils clean, you enable them to discharge warm air more efficiently, requiring them to perform less work to keep the inside of your fridge cold.
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Stack Items Efficiently
Air circulation is required for your mini-fridge to work effectively. Stacking it all the way to the top prevents air from freely circulating. As a result, the motor will have to work harder to cool the refrigerator items, which will consume more energy.
Keeping your food and drinks organized is an excellent way to save money. To begin, you can quickly and simply find what you’re looking for. Second, the cold air inside the fridge may circulate more freely, equally cooling each shelf. This keeps the engine from going into overdrive, which lowers the temperature within the device and reduces energy usage.
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Replace Your Old Fridge
As we know that new electricity star-certified refrigerators consume significantly less energy than earlier versions. Purchasing a new refrigerator can save you money on your electric bill.
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Defrost Whenever Needed
Defrosting your mini-refrigerator will demand more energy. Whether your appliance employs manual or automatic defrosting, you should be careful not to let it accumulate too much. Defrost your mini-fridge whenever the buildup reaches about 1 cm thick.
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Keep It Away From Heat Sources
Another strategy to save money is to keep your small fridge away from heated parts of your home or business. If the outside temperature is high, the mini refrigerator will try to compensate by working harder which will result in wasting more energy and money. When you place your refrigerator near heat sources or sunshine, it must struggle against the elements to keep the items chilled, which consumes important electricity.
FAQs
The wattage of a mini-fridge varies depending on its cooling capacity and manufacturer, although most units require between 50 and 100 watts of power. Your mini-power fridge’s usage will be mentioned in the instruction booklet.
A solar panel capable of producing 600Wh (Watt-hours) of electricity per day is required to power a mini fridge on solar power which means, a mini fridge would require 100 to 200 watts of solar power to operate. The more sunlight your location receives, the less solar power you use.
To power a mini fridge with solar, you’d need a solar system that includes:
One or two 100W solar panels
A 100Ah battery
A 300W inverter with a 10A solar charge controller
A typical 12V refrigerator (1.7 cu. ft.) uses roughly 400Wh (watt-hours) of energy each day. A 100W solar panel would be required to power a 12V refrigerator solely on solar power.
A 12V refrigerator attached to a 12V vehicle battery (50Ah) can run for 1 to 2 days before being entirely exhausted. It may run for 3 to 4 days if connected to a 12V-100Ah battery.
Conclusion
Is a mini fridge worth buying? How many watts does a mini fridge use? How much will it cost to operate? All of these things are most likely dependent on a variety of circumstances. Varying models require different amounts of power and have different functionalities. The way you utilize the appliance is also important.
If you’re in the habit of opening your large kitchen refrigerator frequently to get the next cold drink, a mini fridge can actually reduce your energy consumption. Because it is so compact. A mini-fridge loses a lot less cold air than a kitchen fridge every time you open it, so it’s worth looking for a modest-size fridge for your personal room or office.
When shopping for a mini refrigerator for your room or office, make sure to look at the Energy Star ratings as well. This will definitely help you to buy the best fridge for you!
