Why is refrigerator average power different from running power?
Average power is not the same as running power because a
refrigerator does not operate continuously. The compressor automatically
switches ON and OFF based on cooling demand.
When the compressor is running, a typical LG refrigerator consumes:
- 120–250 watts when the compressor is ON
- 0–5 watts during standby or OFF mode
- 600–1200 watts briefly during startup (surge power)
The commonly quoted 62 W value is a
time-averaged power calculated over a full day.
It does not mean the refrigerator constantly uses 62 watts.
A simple way to understand this is to imagine a
60-watt light bulb running all day. In reality, the refrigerator:
- Runs only about 25–40% of the time
- Consumes around 150–200 watts when actively running
This ON–OFF operating cycle is why refrigerators are energy-efficient
while still having higher instantaneous power when the compressor starts.