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Use the calculator for an instant estimate, or read on for a full breakdown of how this cost is calculated.
Examples and calculation text checked September 22, 2026. This is a planning guide, not an individual engineering review.
Illustrative example
$100/year
Declared inputs, not a typical-home range
500 kWh/year × $0.20/kWh = $100/year, or about $8.33 per average month. Substitute the annual kWh for your specific model.
The EnergyGuide label provides standardized information for comparing models and estimating operating cost. Use its energy figure with your own rate rather than assuming the printed dollar cost matches your tariff.
Actual consumption can differ from the label. Room conditions, settings and use matter. A second refrigerator or freezer is a separate physical unit; include each once with its own annual energy estimate.
The calculator starts with the same example. Its $8.33 average-month cost is annual cost divided by 12; seasonal bills can look very different. The $0.20/kWh rate is illustrative, not a national average. Use your energy rate; fixed fees and taxes are separate.
The starting values are an example. Replace them with your equipment and usage.
Use the annual kWh on the model's EnergyGuide label or a suitable measurement. Do not assume the compressor draws its full rated power all day.
500 kWh per year
$100.00 per year
$8.33 per average month (annual cost ÷ 12)
Energy charges only. Fixed fees, taxes, tiered and time-of-use billing are excluded. The average month is not a seasonal forecast.
Annual kWh for the specific model
Number of separate refrigerators and freezers
Operating conditions and settings
Your energy rate rather than a generic label cost
Before making a change
Check the large loads and uncertain assumptions first. Compare a specific change against your existing equipment before deciding whether an upgrade is worth investigating.
These sources explain units and equipment labels. The worked household values are illustrative inputs, not measured customer data or published typical-use ranges.
Follow the free walkthrough to build a household electricity estimate, review its assumptions and compare changes. The optional $19 purchase unlocks both dated PDF report formats for your household profile.
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