If you own or plan to purchase a refrigerator within your budget constraints, it is vital to know the electricity usage of 1-star fridges. Although the 1-star fridges are inexpensive to purchase, they use more electricity than other fridges. For example, fridges may use up to 25-30% of the electricity used in households in India. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye on how many units of electricity you use every month.
1 Star Fridge Power Consumption (Quick Answer)
The monthly electricity consumption for a one-star rated refrigerator is around 30 to 55 kilowatt-hours. In India, this equates to an electricity bill of roughly ₹240 to ₹450. The exact amount will depend on factors like the size of the fridge, climatic conditions, and door opening frequency.
What Does a 1 Star Rating Mean?
If the rating of the appliance provided by BEE is 1 star, it denotes that there is not much energy efficiency. The appliance will thus use more electricity than appliances rated 2, 3, or 5 stars. However, it may be less costly to purchase and will have increased electricity costs.
It is important to know that BEE upgraded their standards in 2026. As a result, current 1-star fridges are more efficient than old 1-star fridges, yet less efficient than fridges that have higher star ratings, but all the same use more energy than these.
1 Star Fridge Power Consumption by Capacity (Quick Table)
Here is a summary chart that demonstrates the increase in power consumption per star refrigerator with respect to capacity. This allows you to calculate units consumed each month for various refrigerators.
| Fridge Capacity | Annual Units (kWh) | Monthly Units | Annual Cost (₹) | Monthly Cost (₹) |
| 190–230 L | 260–320 | 22–27 | 2,080–2,560 | 175–215 |
| 240–300 L | 320–400 | 27–33 | 2,560–3,200 | 215–270 |
| 300–400 L | 400–500 | 33–42 | 3,200–4,000 | 270–335 |
| 400+ L | 500–650 | 42–55 | 4,000–5,200 | 335–435 |
(Calculated at ₹8/unit average electricity rate)
How to Calculate 1 Star Fridge Power Consumption and Electricity Cost
There is a formula that enables you to calculate power used by a 1-star fridge. This will enable you to know how much you are using electricity and help you to allocate your funds effectively.
Power Consumption Formula (Units)
Units (kWh) = (Wattage x Hours per day x Days)/1000
Example:
A 180W fridge running 24 hours daily:
= (180 × 24 × 30) ÷ 1000 = 129.6 kWh/month
However, in practice, owing to the action of the compressor, consumption averages between 35 and 45 units/month.
Conclusion: Consumption in reality is far less than theoretical expectations.
Cost (₹) = Units × Electricity Rate (₹/unit)
Example:
Assuming that your refrigerator consumes about 40 units per month and the cost of power is ₹8 per unit, then your monthly expenditure will be ₹320—very straightforward and quite simple to calculate.
Units = 40 per month
Rate of electricity = ₹8 per unit
Cost = Units x Rate
= 40 x 8
= ₹320 per month
Conclusion: Your monthly expense for maintaining a one-star refrigerator will be even higher because of the consumption of energy.
Does Refrigerator Type Affect 1 Star Power Consumption?
Indeed, different kinds of fridges will have a great impact on 1 star fridge power usage, despite falling under the same category. The size and method of operation, whether single-door, double-door, or side-by-side fridges, will determine the amount of energy consumed per month.
| Refrigerator Type | Monthly Units (kWh) | Monthly Cost (₹) | Why It Consumes This Much |
| Single Door | 25–35 | 200–280 | Compact size, lower cooling demand |
| Double Door | 30–45 | 240–360 | Separate compartments increase load |
| Side-by-Side | 45–60 | 360–480 | Large size and multiple cooling zones |
Conclusion: Larger and feature-rich fridges consume significantly more electricity.
Factors That Affect 1 Star Fridge Electricity Consumption
There are several real-life factors that affect the power consumption of the 1 star fridge. Some of these factors may cause an increased electricity bill when not controlled well.
- Door openings- Frequent door openings allow the escape of cold air. This results in extended compressor running times, consuming much more electricity.
- Ambient temperature- The higher ambient temperatures in India cause more energy to be consumed by the fridge because it has to work hard to keep up its internal temperatures.
- Refrigerator Inverters Driven by AI- Today’s refrigerators use artificial intelligence algorithms to control cooling according to usage habits, external temperature, and door opening, making it easier to regulate the work of the compressor.
- Overfilling- Overloading the fridge causes poor air circulation within the fridge resulting in more energy consumption.
- Setting the thermostat too low- Setting the fridge at extremely low temperatures will cause the compressor to run for long and consume more electricity.
- Poor servicing- Fridge servicing helps maintain the efficiency of the machine. Failure to service it causes dust buildup, increasing electricity consumption.
1 Star vs 5 Star Fridge: Is Upgrading to 5 Star Worth It?
Selecting either a 1-star or 5-star fridge will depend on your budget and financial goals for the future. Though 1-star refrigerators are more affordable at the onset, 5-star refrigerators can lower electricity costs substantially.
| Feature | 1 Star | 5 Star |
| Energy Efficiency | Low | Very High |
| Power Consumption | High | Low |
| Price | Very Affordable | Expensive |
| Long-Term Savings | Low | High |
For those who have low financial resources and use their refrigerator infrequently, a 1-star refrigerator is the best choice. But in case you want to save money in the long run, then a 5-star refrigerator should be selected because it greatly cuts down on electricity bills.
How to Reduce 1 Star Fridge Electricity Consumption
A 1-star refrigerator still uses electricity efficiently if one has the proper practices in place.
- Close the door tightly- This ensures that the cold air remains trapped, minimizing the compressor’s operation and cutting down on electricity usage.
- Adjust temperature properly- A good cooling level will minimize the compressor work while still ensuring effective use of electricity.
- Avoid overcrowding- This ensures proper cooling without any additional electricity requirements due to inefficient circulation.
- Defrost regularly- It minimizes the amount of electricity required by ensuring that the cooling process is efficient.
- Avoid exposure to heat- It ensures that there is no need for much cooling in an attempt to maintain low temperatures.
Conclusion
The energy use of a 1 star fridge is more expensive than other models, as the power consumption rate ranges from 30 to 55 units per month, thus being costly. Though the buying cost is inexpensive, the electric bills might be expensive. If you have an existing refrigerator, managing its operation and upkeep will assist you in lowering your costs. But if you want to buy a new one, going for a higher-star model would be more beneficial.
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