Refrigerators and/or Freezers

Get Rebates,
Incentives & Services

Introduction

Refrigerators consume about 18% of all electricity in a typical Californian home — using more energy than any other single household appliance. Fortunately, refrigerators have become much more efficient in the past 20 years, using 60% less electricity on average than 20-year-old models.

If you have an old, inefficient refrigerator, you may be paying $280 a year in electricity in areas with high electricity rates. A new, more efficient model will lower your electric bill and save you money, which in turn will offset the cost of purchasing a new refrigerator.

Technology Options

Refrigerator/freezers come in three configurations: freezer on top, freezer on bottom, or side-by-side design. Refrigerators with the freezer on top are the most efficient models, followed by refrigerators with the freezer on bottom. Models with top-mounted freezers use 10-25% less energy than bottom-mount or side-by-side models, while an ice and water through-the-door feature will increase your refrigerator’s energy use by up to 20%.

Refrigerators, although turned "on" all the time, cycle on and off at a rate that depends on several factors. These factors include room temperature, freezer temperature, how well the unit is insulated, how often the door is opened, cleanliness of the coil, whether it is defrosted regularly, and the condition of the door seal. The harder your refrigerator has to work to maintain a constant temperature, the more energy it will use.

Optimize Energy Performance Through Maintenance
  • Clean the condenser coils at least once a year. Dirt and dust can accumulate on the condenser coils. Unplug the unit and brush or vacuum the coils to maximize performance.
  • Keep cool air in and hot air out by opening the door as infrequently and as briefly as possible.
  • Check the temperature to ensure that the refrigerator operates between 36°F; and 40°F and the freezer between 0°F and 5°F. Use a thermometer to check the temperature; adjust the settings if necessary. Your refrigerator may use 25% more energy if it is kept at 10°F colder than recommended.
  • Check the location to ensure that the unit is not located in direct sunlight or near heat-producing appliances, such as ovens and dishwashers. Maximize air circulation around the condenser coils by making sure there is a space between the unit and the wall or cabinets.
  • Defrost manual defrost freezers regularly. Ice build-up on the coils will make the compressor run longer, wasting energy.
  • Keep door seal clean and in good repair. Test the seal by closing a piece of paper or dollar bill half way in the refrigerator door. If you can pull the paper out easily, the latch may need adjustment or the seal may need replacing.

ENERGY STAR qualified models, which have to exceed federal energy use standards by 20%, use high-efficiency compressors, improved insulation, and more precise temperature and defrost mechanisms to improve energy efficiency. All these features cause the refrigerator to maintain a more constant temperature, reducing the number of times it must turn on and off.

All ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators have an automatic defrost feature. Many models include automatic ice-makers and through-the-door ice dispensers. Qualified models are also available with top, bottom and side-by-side freezers.

Efficiency Benefits

If your refrigerator was made before 1993, it could be costing you over $100 each year to operate. Replace it with a new ENERGY STAR qualified model and you can cut your related energy costs in half. If you still have a fridge from the 1980s, replace it with an ENERGY STAR qualified model and save over $100 each year on your utility bills. Replace a fridge from the 1970s and save nearly $200 each year! Use the ENERGY STAR Savings Calculator to find out exactly how much money you’ll save by replacing your existing refrigerator. These savings can help offset the cost of purchasing a new refrigerator.

In addition to saving you money, many ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators come with innovative features such as precise temperature controls and advanced food compartments to keep your food fresher, longer. If you do replace your refrigerator, be sure to recycle your old one.

Manufacturers

General Electric (GE), Maytag, Whirlpool and LG Electronics are some of the major manufacturers of ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators. For a complete list, visit the ENERGY STAR website.

Purchasing Tips

  • Check the yellow EnergyGuide label to determine how much energy the model uses. Compare the energy use and approximate annual operating costs of the models you are considering and select the unit with the lowest operating cost that offers the desired features.
  • Ask for an ENERGY STAR model. Purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified model will ensure your refrigerator is energy efficient and exceeds standard-efficiency models by at least 20%.
  • Choose the right size refrigerator for your household needs. Generally, the larger the refrigerator, the greater the energy consumption. The most energy-efficient models are typically 16–20 cubic feet.
  • Consider buying a refrigerator with a top-mounted freezer. Models with top-mounted freezers use 10–25% less energy than bottom-mount or side-by-side models.
  • Determine if you need and will use an ice-maker and dispenser. Automatic ice-makers and through-the-door dispensers increase energy use by 14 to 20% and raise the purchase price by about $75 to $250.
  • Turn the anti-sweat heater off when it is not needed. The anti-sweat heater helps to prevent moisture from forming on the outside of the refrigerator during hot, humid weather. The switch heats the area around the door seals to prevent condensation and adds 5 to 10% more energy to the refrigerator's overall energy consumption. Switch this feature off or choose the "energy saver" setting when the feature is not needed.
  • Manual defrost models use less energy than automatic defrost models but must be defrosted periodically to operate efficiently.
  • Chest freezers are 9 to 22% more efficient than upright (front-loading) models because they are better insulated and allow less warm air to enter the freezer when the door is open.
  • Use a calculator to estimate your energy savings from buying a new energy-efficient refrigerator/freezer.
  • Don't save an old refrigerator. Instead of moving your old refrigerator to the garage, retire and recycling it. Check with your local utility for cash incentives.