Fridge/Freezer in Garage - A Question

We want to put a fridge/freezer in our garage. However, there is only a regular outlet in there. I guess we need an electrician to install a new outlet (wouldn't want to block the only one we have in the garage with something big and bulky). Does anyone know anyone who can do this? Any idea how much something like that costs? Thanks

 

Regular outlets are easy to install yourself, just be sure to turn the power off! Otherwise you need an electrician and it will cost you way more then doing it yourself.

Don't know the rates for an electrician but if i had to guess [low bid] it would be at least $50 / hr and take 1-2 hrs. But I'm sure most electricians here have a minimum job they will do.

 

We made sure when we had the house built that we had another outlet put in the garage for the freezer. Its on its own circuit too, so it won't go out if something trips the breaker on the 'other' outlet's circuit.

If you do the work yourself, I would run a new circuit from your service box. The garage outlet may be on a GFI circuit, and may be part of a circuit that includes your outdoor outlets.

To be on the safe side, I would have an electrician do the installation. In this way you're assured that its done to code, and would pass any inspection made when you sold the house.

Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

If you can, you should put your freezer in the laundry room or basement. In the summer, when it is really hot out side, your freezer is working overtime to keep the temperature inside itself low. This is costing you alot more than you probably think. Just something to think about.

 

The garage is on a GFI circuit and it definitely connects to the outside lights!

I agree, time to call an electrician!

Thanks, Neil.

 

Unfortunately, it's not an option since I'm in a townhouse. But, our side-by-side in the kitchen is too small (even thought it's a huge appliance). I can't even put a frozen pizza in there. I like to stock up at Costco or sales and I can't. I can barely fit a week of groceries in there!

 

Question: How much do you have to buy at Costco to payback the cost of a new refrigerator/freezer, the installation of the new outlet, and the added electricity consumption?

By inspection, the economics look pretty marginal to me.

-Jim

 

Huh? Won't need a new outlet after all! Anyway, we shop at Costco all the time and the fridge/freezer doesn't have much to do with it. Sure, it's great for stocking up on stuff (which I used to do before we moved and got this side-by-side which can't fit much! Plus, I like to take advantage of sales...which I can't really do with the side-by-side. Having the extra fridge/freezer is more for convenience then it is for saving money! With 3 kids, who has time to shop all the time? I know I don't.