Commercial fridges usually operate 24 hours a day, so electricity consumption can become an important part of a café, restaurant or foodservice business’s ongoing costs.
However, there is no single electricity-use figure that applies to every commercial fridge. Capacity, operating temperature, door configuration, kitchen conditions, installation and daily use can all affect consumption.
This guide explains how much electricity commercial fridges use, what kWh/24h means, how to estimate annual running costs and what Australian businesses should check when comparing energy-efficient commercial refrigeration.
Do Commercial Fridges Use a Lot of Electricity?
Commercial refrigerators generally use more electricity than household refrigerators because they are designed for larger storage capacities, frequent door openings and continuous operation in demanding business environments.
The actual amount varies significantly between models. A compact underbench refrigerator may use considerably less electricity than a large upright refrigerator, while a commercial freezer will generally require more energy than a refrigerator because it operates at a lower temperature.
For a meaningful comparison, check products with a similar:
- Refrigerator or freezer function
- Storage capacity
- Operating temperature
- Upright or underbench configuration
- Solid-door or glass-door design
- Number of doors
How Much Electricity Does a Commercial Fridge Use?
Commercial fridge electricity use is normally expressed as kilowatt-hours per 24 hours (kWh/24h). This figure represents the energy consumed during a 24-hour test period.
There is no reliable industry-wide daily figure because commercial cabinets differ substantially in size, temperature range and purpose. The most useful approach is to check the confirmed kWh/24h figure for each model and compare it with cabinets that perform a similar function.
What Does kWh/24h Mean?
The kWh/24h figure should not be confused with the product’s wattage:
- Watts measure power at a particular point or under a particular operating condition.
- kWh/24h measures the electrical energy consumed throughout an entire 24-hour period.
Because a refrigerator’s compressor cycles on and off, multiplying the listed wattage by 24 hours will not normally provide an accurate daily consumption estimate. The confirmed kWh/24h figure is more useful when estimating annual electricity use and running costs.
Annual energy use = kWh/24h × 365
Estimated annual running cost = annual energy use × electricity usage rate
Australian Commercial Fridge Energy Information
Certain commercial refrigerated cabinet classes supplied in Australia are regulated under the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards framework, commonly known as GEMS, and must meet applicable Minimum Energy Performance Standards.
Commercial refrigerated cabinets are not required to display the same Energy Rating Label commonly seen on household appliances. Registered product information and available star ratings can instead be checked through the Australian Government’s Energy Rating system.
A GEMS registration or star rating should not be treated as proof that a cabinet is automatically the most efficient option for every business. Products should only be compared when they have a similar type, size and operating temperature.
Further information is available from the Australian Government Energy Rating website.
Selected K-Master Energy Consumption Examples
The figures below are based on the energy consumption currently published on the listed K-Master product pages. Approximate annual use is calculated as kWh/24h × 365 days and rounded to the nearest whole kilowatt-hour.
The example annual cost uses an electricity usage rate of $0.30 per kWh. This is an illustration only and should be replaced with the actual usage rate shown on your business electricity bill.
| Model | Configuration | Capacity | Energy Use | Annual Use | Example Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS15-2R-N | Two-door underbench refrigerator | 425L | 1.629kWh/24h | 595kWh/year | Approx. $179/year |
| HT25-1R-N | Single-door upright refrigerator | 574L | 1.777kWh/24h | 649kWh/year | Approx. $195/year |
| HS18-3R-N | Three-door underbench refrigerator | 538L | 1.875kWh/24h | 684kWh/year | Approx. $205/year |
| HT45-2R-N | Two-door upright refrigerator | 1,215L | 2.401kWh/24h | 876kWh/year | Approx. $263/year |
| HT65-3R-N | Three-door upright refrigerator | 1,876L | 3.349kWh/24h | 1,222kWh/year | Approx. $367/year |
| HT25-1RG-N | Single-door upright glass-door refrigerator | 574L | 3.420kWh/24h | 1,248kWh/year | Approx. $374/year |
| HS15-2F-N | Two-door underbench freezer | 425L | 4.206kWh/24h | 1,535kWh/year | Approx. $461/year |
Energy figures should only be compared between products with a similar purpose, capacity and operating temperature. A commercial freezer should not be compared directly with a refrigerator. Product specifications may change, and actual consumption can vary with ambient temperature, loading, door openings, installation and maintenance. Confirm current specifications before ordering.
How to Calculate Commercial Fridge Running Costs
You can estimate a commercial fridge’s annual electricity cost using the following three steps:
- Find the model’s confirmed kWh/24h figure.
- Multiply the daily figure by 365 to estimate annual energy use.
- Multiply the annual energy use by the electricity usage rate shown on your business energy bill.
Example: HS15-2R-N Running Cost
The HS15-2R-N lists energy consumption of 1.629kWh/24h:
- Annual energy use: 1.629 × 365 = approximately 595kWh
- Example electricity rate: $0.30 per kWh
- Estimated annual usage cost: 595 × $0.30 = approximately $179
This estimate covers electricity usage only. Fixed supply charges, demand charges, installation, servicing and maintenance costs are not included.
What Affects Actual Commercial Fridge Electricity Use?
Published energy figures provide a consistent basis for comparing suitable models, but electricity use in an operating kitchen can be affected by:
- Kitchen temperature and humidity
- Placement near ovens, cooking equipment or direct sunlight
- Insufficient ventilation around the cabinet
- Frequent or prolonged door openings
- Damaged or dirty door seals
- Blocked internal vents
- Overstocked shelves and restricted airflow
- Incorrect temperature settings
- Dirty condenser areas
- Delayed servicing and maintenance
Correct installation and operating practices remain important even when an energy-efficient commercial fridge is selected.
Features That Can Support Energy-Efficient Operation
- Compressor, insulation and door seals – These components influence how effectively a refrigerator maintains its operating temperature.
- Appropriate cabinet capacity – Choosing a cabinet that matches the business’s actual storage requirements can help avoid operating unnecessary refrigerated space.
- Digital temperature control – A digital controller helps staff monitor and adjust the cabinet within the specified temperature range.
- Lower-GWP refrigerant – The K-Master models listed in this article use R290 according to their currently published specifications. R290 is a hydrocarbon refrigerant with low global-warming potential compared with many traditional fluorinated refrigerants.
- LED lighting – On models fitted with interior LED lighting, products can remain visible without relying on traditional cabinet lighting.
No single feature guarantees low electricity use. Buyers should consider the complete cabinet design, confirmed energy consumption, required capacity and suitability for the intended application.
How to Choose an Energy-Efficient Commercial Fridge
Before purchasing commercial refrigeration, consider:
- Whether the cabinet provides the required temperature range
- How much usable storage capacity the business needs
- Whether an upright or underbench configuration better suits the workspace
- Whether solid or glass doors are required
- The confirmed kWh/24h figure
- Installation and ventilation requirements
- Warranty coverage and servicing arrangements
- The total lifetime cost rather than purchase price alone
A smaller cabinet may use less electricity, but it will not be a suitable choice if it cannot provide the capacity or workflow required by the business.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much energy does a commercial refrigerator use?
Energy consumption varies by model, size, temperature and configuration. Check the model’s confirmed kWh/24h figure and compare it with commercial refrigerators of a similar type, capacity and operating temperature.
How much does a commercial fridge cost to run?
Multiply the fridge’s kWh/24h figure by 365 and then multiply the result by your electricity usage rate. For example, a cabinet using 1.629kWh/24h would consume approximately 595kWh per year and cost around $179 per year at a usage rate of $0.30 per kWh.
Is a lower kWh/24h figure always better?
Only when comparing cabinets that perform a similar function. A small underbench refrigerator will usually use less electricity than a large upright model, but it may not provide enough storage capacity.
Can a commercial refrigerator be compared directly with a freezer?
No. Commercial freezers operate at lower temperatures and generally require more energy. Refrigerators should be compared with similar refrigerators and freezers with similar freezers.
Are glass-door commercial fridges less energy efficient?
Door type can affect energy consumption, but cabinet size, insulation, temperature, compressor performance and operating conditions must also be considered. Compare the confirmed energy figures of suitable models rather than relying on door type alone.
Does GEMS registration mean a commercial fridge is highly efficient?
No. Registration means the model has been registered under the applicable framework. It does not automatically mean that it is the most efficient cabinet available. Compare registered or confirmed energy figures between suitable products.
Compare Commercial Refrigeration Before You Buy
Choosing an energy-efficient commercial fridge is not about accepting a general “energy-saving” claim. It means selecting a cabinet that provides the required capacity and operating temperature while using less confirmed energy than a comparable alternative.
Use the K-Master Energy Consumption Comparison tool to compare registered commercial refrigeration models using information from the Australian Government Energy Rating database.
You can also explore K-Master’s range of commercial refrigerators, commercial freezers and commercial refrigeration equipment.
If you need help comparing capacity, configuration, current specifications, stock or delivery options, contact the K-Master team before ordering.
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