The Energy Star website says that a refrigerator with the energy efficient rating is 20 percent more efficient than normal refrigerators. That adds up to a savings of $165 in power consumption over the life of your refrigerator. In January, 20 models of refrigerators were removed from the Energy Star list in an effort to make the list more cognizant of the power the appliances consume. If you have a fridge from the 1980s, buying a new Energy Star model can save you $100 per year on your power bill.
If you are shopping for a new refrigerator here are some of the top Energy Star models you can buy. Even though there are compact refrigerators that have an Energy Star rating this article will deal with larger models designed for normal American kitchens with 14 cubic feet of space or greater.
Frigidaire
Frigidaire has a very good refrigerator for $450 at Lowe’s. The beauty of the 14.8 cubic-foot FFHT1513L is that it uses 20 percent less power and is decently small for your basic kitchen needs. If you have a tiny nook in your kitchen it will fit perfectly without being a compact refrigerator.
When you take into account saving potentially hundreds of dollars over your current fridge you will recoup your investment faster. Frigidaire is a great brand for refrigerators that cost less money and still get the job done admirably.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool has great appliances and Energy Star refrigerators are no exception. Their 17.7 cubic foot top mount refrigerator retails for $619 if you want something a little larger but not take up a huge amount of space.
This Whirlpool model uses only a dozen or so more kilowatt-hours than the Frigidaire per year so it is still economical on power consumption. This is your basic model that will fit into most kitchens as a standard size.
Maytag
Maytag’s Eco Conserve 19 cubic foot refrigerator touts itself as able to use less power than a 60 watt bulb running continuously in one year. A higher end model, the Eco Conserve saves 30 percent off comparable models and sells for $1,250.
Maytag’s undeniable quest for quality has this fridge with a bottom freezer and spill-catching shelves. If you want reliability in a top of the line refrigerator then Maytag is where you should start. This model also comes with an icemaker for convenience.
Electrolux
For a larger refrigerator and higher end style, Electrolux has a 26.5 cubic foot refrigerator that sells for around $2200. The freezer is on the bottom with two French-style doors to maximize your space.
Amazingly, the Electrolux uses less than 500 kilowatt hours of power per year, better than some models with smaller space requirements. If you take advantage of tax incentives you can have this refrigerator for even less money on top of the power you will save. Even better, it also comes with an ice maker.
LG
LG offers a 20.7 cubic foot LFC21776 refrigerator that only uses 400 kilowatt hours per year to keep your food cold. Much like the Electrolux in quality and configuration, there are two French doors and a bottom freezer.
The LG model retails for $2,200 for the upper end of the refrigerator spectrum but it saves 30 percent on your energy bills over a normal refrigerator. This model makes my list because of its ultra-high efficiency.
The Energy Star website, Lowe’s, and each manufacturer’s website provided information for this article.
