Should you replace your old refrigerator?

Compare what your current refrigerator costs to run with a new ENERGY STAR model. Enter the energy your old one uses, your electricity price and a new model, and see the yearly and ten-year savings. This counts electricity only.

Old refrigerator: annual energy use (kWh per year)

Enter how much energy your old one uses a year.

Look for the yellow EnergyGuide label on the refrigerator: it lists the estimated yearly electricity use in kWh. If it is gone, plug the refrigerator into an energy meter for at least 24 hours (the compressor cycles on and off, so a full day is the minimum) and multiply by 365. That is only a rough estimate, since the room temperature changes through the year.

Your state Or your own rate (cents per kWh) New refrigerator Or enter its annual energy use (kWh per year) Purchase price of the new one, in dollars (optional, for the payback time)

What this calculator does not tell you

It counts electricity only. Purchase price, repair costs, delivery, and whether your current refrigerator still works well are separate parts of the decision.
The ENERGY STAR figure for a new model is a standardized value. Your own use will differ with how the appliance is used and where it stands.
Your old figure may be a guess. If you can, measure it.

Typical numbers for each type and state are on the cost to run a refrigerator by state page. Browse all refrigerators.

Should you replace your old refrigerator?

What this calculator does not tell you

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