Cost of running a vintage fridge?

[Alesia]

That's a great idea, I didn't even think of that. As tempting as it is though I can't seem to commit to buying one, I just keep going around in circles. Fun fridge or lower energy bill... Fun fridge or lower energy bill... My cheap side usually comes out on top but only by thismuch.

I have to say, the thought of $40 a month more instantly brought me back to reality, no way is it worth that. I was thinking it might be a $10 a month difference going by a (very non-specific) website that estimated energy savings. The only problem with that was the closet I came to finding out how much a 1950's fridge would cost to run was "1980 and older".

Another thing to keep in mind is repair costs. If anything breaks (which is pretty likely) it will be much more expensive to repair. Some parts are very hard to come by - if not impossible. Within just a year or two you may well find that you could have bought several new refrigerators for what this one will cost you.

 

[Arkansan]

If it is the funky color of the fridge that you want, why not just paint a new white fridge the color you like? We looked at a house once with a toothpaste blue/green refrigerator. It went PERFECTLY in the kitchen, but was quite a shock when we first saw it. The realtor explained that the owners had replaced their original (50's?) fridge with that one when the original died. They missed the cool color so took it to an auto body shop to be painted the fun color they wanted! Of course, this won't work if you are primarily after the retro style and not just the fun color.

Good luck!

 

[ryan840]

If it is the funky color of the fridge that you want, why not just paint a new white fridge the color you like? We looked at a house once with a toothpaste blue/green refrigerator. It went PERFECTLY in the kitchen, but was quite a shock when we first saw it. The realtor explained that the owners had replaced their original (50's?) fridge with that one when the original died. They missed the cool color so took it to an auto body shop to be painted the fun color they wanted! Of course, this won't work if you are primarily after the retro style and not just the fun color.

Good luck!

I actually want a white fridge, though the colored ones are awesome.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

I have no idea, but I do know my grandmom has one in her summer cabin. I have been going to that cabin since the 1960's, and that fridge was there before I ever went. I know she doesn't have a lot of money, and I know people would buy her one if she wanted one, but she like the one she has.

 

[Imzadi]

That's a great idea, I didn't even think of that. As tempting as it is though I can't seem to commit to buying one, I just keep going around in circles. Fun fridge or lower energy bill... Fun fridge or lower energy bill... My cheap side usually comes out on top but only by thismuch.

I have to say, the thought of $40 a month more instantly brought me back to reality, no way is it worth that. I was thinking it might be a $10 a month difference going by a (very non-specific) website that estimated energy savings. The only problem with that was the closet I came to finding out how much a 1950's fridge would cost to run was "1980 and older".

I would think the novelty of a fun fridge would wear off as soon as you got the first electric bill. You are thinking with your emotions.

At $40 extra per month, how long would it take to surpass the initial outlay for a new retro-looking fridge? $40 x 12 = $480 in just ONE year. How many years would you keep this fun fridge? According to the bigchillfridge.com retro fridge link, their lowest priced fridge is $1645, which means in 3.5 years, at $40 extra a month, you will have spent the equivalent price of the retro fridge. That estimate did not including the normal usage charges of having an a fridge on.

 

[Lucille1963]

I would think the novelty of a fun fridge would wear off as soon as you got the first electric bill. You are thinking with your emotions.

At $40 extra per month, how long would it take to surpass the initial outlay for a new retro-looking fridge? $40 x 12 = $480 in just ONE year. How many years would you keep this fun fridge? According to the bigchillfridge.com retro fridge link, their lowest priced fridge is $1645, which means in 3.5 years, at $40 extra a month, you will have spent the equivalent price of the retro fridge. That estimate did not including the normal usage charges of having an a fridge on.

$1645 is for the under the counter model which is only 6.1 cubic feet. The "studio" sizes, which look smaller than average start at $2495 and the larger at $2695.

 

[Art 1]

Around $40 per month.

 

[Imzadi]

$1645 is for the under the counter model which is only 6.1 cubic feet. The "studio" sizes, which look smaller than average start at $2495 and the larger at $2695.

Oh, I just quickly took the price off the front page. Then at $480/year, not including the base usage, it would take 5 years for the $2495 fridge.

A suggestion would be to look around for USED retro-style fridges. Someone must be tired of theirs and wants to remodel. Or maybe the front door accessories could simply be installed onto an existing fridge. Maybe just a change in handle and a couple chrome strips across the front could be enough to turn a current fridge into a retro look.

 

[Lucille1963]

Oh, I just quickly took the price off the front page.

I'm just very familiar with the site, I've been coveting those fridges for years!

I was just thinking about my other grandmother who has 3 pre 1970s fridges running at her place (product of the depression, food hoarder). I can't imagine that her electric bills are that high. Perhaps it depends on the individual fridge. I like the idea of testing it.

OP, how cute and cheap is it? Could you use it for storage not plugged in if it doesn't work out?

 

[Imzadi]

I'm just very familiar with the site, I've been coveting those fridges for years!

Aww, too bad there wasn't a company like Bathfitters. That one could just take off their fridge door, or add on a new false front to change up the style of the fridge.

 

[Lucille1963]

I was just thinking about my other grandmother who has 3 pre 1970s fridges running at her place (product of the depression, food hoarder). I can't imagine that her electric bills are that high. Perhaps it depends on the individual fridge. I like the idea of testing it.

Just talked to grandma. Her electric bill runs about $70 bucks a month, and it includes these 3 fridges, a couple of chest freezers, a more modern fridge and everything else.... including the microwave she unplugs when she leaves the house in case it explodes

 

[Imzadi]

including the microwave she unplugs when she leaves the house in case it explodes

Those dang unreliable, new-fangled electronics you can't leave alone!

 

[Lucille1963]

Those dang unreliable, new-fangled electronics you can't leave alone!

And if you say "If you're so scared of it exploding, why don't you leave the house every time you cook something?" She'll tell you to shut up.

 

[ryan840]

How is her bill that cheap running all those fridges and freezers? We spend at least $60/mo and just have the one energy star fridge.

The one I am thinking of right now is only $80 and from the pics looks to be in great shape (I haven't seen it in person yet), there are several for under $200. I don't have the money up front for the expensive fridges, and I'm also waaaay too cheap to spend that much money on just about anything but a Disney vacation. I figured if it was under $20/mo to run I might go for it, and hoped someone here might have one who could fill me in. I know over time it ads up when it's $40/mo, but I wouldn't do it if it were that much anyway. It ads up no matter what, but at under $20/month it's a more managable/acceptable rate that would be a trade-off for it's authenticity.

Of all the people I've asked/sites I've checked I seem to be getting very mixed reviews! Some say it's not bad, others say it is. We do have pretty cheap electricity here, compared to other states.

As far as using it unplugged I would do that in a heartbeat if I had anywhere to put it. The kitchen is too small for two fridges and there is nowhere else but the basement to even fit another, which kind of ruins the retro kitchen thing...

Art1- Thanks! Do you have one? What kind? I'm still narrowing down which one I would get if I decide to...

 

[Imzadi]

And if you say "If you're so scared of it exploding, why don't you leave the house every time you cook something?" She'll tell you to shut up.

She sounds like a real character.

How is her bill that cheap running all those fridges and freezers? We spend at least $60/mo and just have the one energy star fridge.

The one I am thinking of right now is only $80 and from the pics looks to be in great shape (I haven't seen it in person yet), there are several for under $200. I don't have the money up front for the expensive fridges, and I'm also waaaay too cheap to spend that much money on just about anything but a Disney vacation. I figured if it was under $20/mo to run I might go for it, and hoped someone here might have one who could fill me in. I know over time it ads up when it's $40/mo, but I wouldn't do it if it were that much anyway. It ads up no matter what, but at under $20/month it's a more managable/acceptable rate that would be a trade-off for it's authenticity.

Of all the people I've asked/sites I've checked I seem to be getting very mixed reviews! Some say it's not bad, others say it is. We do have pretty cheap electricity here, compared to other states.

As far as using it unplugged I would do that in a heartbeat if I had anywhere to put it. The kitchen is too small for two fridges and there is nowhere else but the basement to even fit another, which kind of ruins the retro kitchen thing...

Art1- Thanks! Do you have one? What kind? I'm still narrowing down which one I would get if I decide to...

How about this scenario: Since the one you want is only $80, get it and run it for a couple years. That might be enough time to go through your retro phase. you can always sell it later. You might actually want to switch decor later on.

If at some point you need two fridges, and can afford to run them both, put the modern fridge in the basement. You can always bring up the surplus as needed. People do that all the time with their deep freezers. Remember though, fridges & freezers run more efficiently when fully stocked. Don't keep two half stocked fridges.

 

[ryan840]

How about this scenario: Since the one you want is only $80, get it and run it for a couple years. That might be enough time to go through your retro phase. you can always sell it later. You might actually want to switch decor later on.

If at some point you need two fridges, and can afford to run them both, put the modern fridge in the basement. You can always bring up the surplus as needed. People do that all the time with their deep freezers. Remember though, fridges & freezers run more efficiently when fully stocked. Don't keep two half stocked fridges.

That was kind of my school of thought, get it for now and that would give me time to scout out a used "new" one. As long as it's not $40/mo!

What I will probably end up doing is buying the fridge, running it for a couple of months to see what I'm paying and then if it's costing too much I will just sell it (likely for double or triple what I paid if it's in as good a shape as it seems! ) and use the money for another fridge. I've thought about putting some dry ice in there to help with the costs too.

 

[arminnie]

I wouldn't touch a refrigerator from the 50s even if it and the electricity to run it were free.

My late dad was a refrigerator repairman (50s, 60s, 70s). Those things had a ton of asbestos in them. I've seen them up close and personal lots of times. There was no containment - the asbestos may have been removed, but I'd be almost certain that it is not totally asbestos free.

 

[ryan840]

I wouldn't touch a refrigerator from the 50s even if it and the electricity to run it were free.

My late dad was a refrigerator repairman (50s, 60s, 70s). Those things had a ton of asbestos in them. I've seen them up close and personal lots of times. There was no containment - the asbestos may have been removed, but I'd be almost certain that it is not totally asbestos free.

Ugh, really? I didn't know about that.

 

[acourtwdw]

It will cost over $250 a year to operate a fridge that was made before 1980 according to energystar.gov. Compared to the average $60 cost of an Estar fridge today.