- On average, A-rated fridge freezers will save you 35 kWh to 112 kWh in electricity per year but cost £210 to £850 more.
- Choosing an A-rated model for efficiency savings alone doesn't make financial sense due to the higher purchase price.
- The best value fridge-freezer depends on your budget and which features are of value to you and worth paying extra for.
Of all household appliances, fridges and freezers can be one of the most energy hungry.
They’re switched on 24/7, and some of the least efficient options could cost more than twice as much to run as the latest A-rated models.
Having said that, I’ve found that buying the most energy-efficient fridge freezer isn’t always a guarantee of savvy shopping.
Any efficiency savings can be easily swallowed up by the extra cost of premium features, often included with many of the greenest products from well known brands.
So, how do you know if going A-rated makes financial sense for you?
Let’s look at the numbers.
What's In This Article...
How much can you save with an energy efficient fridge freezer?
A-rated fridges and freezers use high efficiency compressors, better insulation, and more precise temperature and defrosting systems to reduce energy consumption.
But the cost of these advanced components, together the premium features typically installed on A-rated models, can push up the purchase price beyond the efficiency savings they generate.
To illustrate this, I researched the average annual energy costs and purchase price of the top 5 cheapest 70/30 free standing fridge freezers at ao.com on 28/08/2024.
| Energy Rating | Avg Annual Energy Usage | Avg Annual Energy Costs* | Avg Purchase Price | 10 Year Total Cost | 10 Year Cost Per kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-Rated | 106 kWh | £25.97 | £1135 | £1395 | £1.32 |
| B-Rated | 141 kWh | £34.54 | £925 | £1270 | £0.90 |
| C-Rated | 170 kWh | £41.65 | £779 | £1196 | £0.70 |
| D-Rated | 206 kWh | £50.47 | £525 | £1030 | £0.50 |
| E-Rated | 218 kWh | £53.41 | £285 | £815 | £0.37 |
| F-Rated | N\a | N\a | N\a | N\a | N\a |
| G-Rated | N\a | N\a | N\a | N\a | N\a |
*Based on the October 2024 Ofgem price cap electricity unit rate of 24.5p per kWh.
What do the Numbers Show?
The good news is that the average price of A-rated models has reduced by £200 since my last review in 2023.
A-rated fridge freezers will save you between 35 kWh and 112 kWh in electricity per year, or £8.57 to £27.44*, compared to other energy rating bands.
But you’ll still have to pay £210 to £850 more to see those savings, which could take over 20 years to make back from lower energy costs.
So upgrading your purchase to an A-rated model for the potential efficiency savings alone, doesn’t make financial sense due to the high upfront cost of the most efficient options.
Based on all the products for sale at the time of writing, B and C-rated fridge-freezers offer the best combination of energy efficiency, purchase price and features.
However, they still cost £779 to £925 on average, which is more than double that of E-rated products.
So, in the end, the best value fridge-freezer depends on your budget and which features are of most value to you and worth paying extra for.
How to identify fridge freezers with the lowest running costs
Although the most energy efficient fridge freezers will show an A rating on their label, the A-G letter scale won’t tell you how much they cost to run.
Thankfully, since 2021, all energy labels for fridge freezers now display their annual electricity consumption in kilowatt-hours below the A-G scale.
To convert that number into pounds and pence running costs, simply multiply it by the unit price you pay for electricity.
For example, my garage fridge uses 136 kWh/annum, and I currently pay 27p per kWh for electricity. So to calculate it’s annual running costs, I simply multiply 136 by 0.27 to get £36.72.
Here’s an important point to remember, though: the energy consumption numbers shown on rating labels are for the appliance’s most efficient mode or setting.
So, if your fridge-freezer has a low energy or eco-mode, you’ll have to activate that to achieve the same declared consumption costs.
That also highlights why it’s essential to check and compare the eco-friendly features on different appliances before you buy, to ensure they suit your lifestyle and energy habits.
Fridge Freezer Comparison Tips
- Consider how long you might own a fridge freezer: The longer you own it, the more the annual energy costs contribute to the total cost.
- Get the right size: Make sure you pick the size you need, as empty space costs more to keep cool.
- Consider the best layout: Models with the freezer compartment above or below the fridge have better cooling efficiency as cold air naturally falls. This helps each compartment to keep the other cooler and use less energy because of a vertical layout, rather than the less efficient side-by-side design.
- Check reviews and ratings: Get an indication of overall quality and durability. Appliances that last longer are better value in the long term.
- Eco-friendly options: As mentioned above, check that any energy saving modes are compatible with your energy habits, as annual consumption numbers are typically based on using those settings.
- Premium features: Extra features like water dispensers, fast freezing and displays can use extra energy.
Top 5 Most Energy Efficient Fridge Freezers
If energy efficiency is high on your shopping list, and you have an A-rated budget, here are my top five fridge freezers ranked by efficiency per litre of capacity.
How to maximise the efficiency of your fridge freezer
Even the most energy efficient fridge or freezer can cost more to run if your usage habits are wasteful.
To prevent that and get maximum efficiency out of your fridge and freezer, whether it’s A-rated or not, try these simple but effective tips:
- Keep it full: For the most efficient energy use, keep your refrigerator and freezer filled. The food helps retain the cold in a full fridge, so less cold air is lost when the door is opened.
- No warm or hot food: Allow foods to cool before placing them in your fridge. It takes more energy to cool warm or hot food.
- Cover food: For extra savings, cover foods and liquids, as the moisture that’s released by uncovered containers increases energy use during the defrosting cycle.
- Defrost regularly: Defrost your freezer regularly to keep it running at maximum efficiency.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a cheap fridge freezer to just do the basics, then A-rated efficiency is going to be out of your budget.
The good news is that since the rating scale was re-calibrated in 2021, typical F-rated options have become more efficient as manufacturers try to keep up with improving standards.
If ultimate energy efficiency is your goal, and you have at least £1100 to spend, some of the greenest models from premium brands like LG and Samsung could make your shortlist.
Sources & References
* Energy costs are based on the October 2024 Ofgem price cap electricity unit rate of 24.5p per kWh.
