Powerbill/Appliance costs

What does a second fridge/freezer (garage/beer fridge) cost to run?

In New Zealand, a typical second fridge/freezer (garage/beer fridge) left on 24/7 as most NZ households do costs around $59/month at the current national average rate of 40.6c/kWh.

Monthly cost
$59
national average
Annual cost
$711
12 months at current rate
Cost per hour of use
$0.08
nameplate wattage × rate
Cost by regionMBIE Feb 2026
RegionRateMonthly
Queenstown40.3c/kWh$59
Dunedin39.6c/kWh$58
Christchurch36.6c/kWh$53
See this in the full calculator

Frequently asked

How much does a second fridge/freezer (garage/beer fridge) cost to run in NZ?

At the national average electricity rate of 40.6c/kWh, a typical second fridge/freezer (garage/beer fridge) costs about $59 per month, or $711 per year. Actual costs vary by region and how heavily you use it.

Which NZ region has the cheapest second fridge/freezer (garage/beer fridge) running cost?

Of the five centres shown on this page, Christchurch is the cheapest at $53/month, and Queenstown is the most expensive at $59/month. The 30% spread reflects regional MBIE retail rates.

Any tips for reducing this cost?

Older garage fridges can cost $100+/year - unplug when not needed

Wattages and usage defaults from Consumer NZ, EECA Genless and Frugal Kiwi. Regional pricing from the MBIE Quarterly Survey of Domestic Electricity Prices, last updated 2026-02-15.