Refrigerators for Consumers

ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators are 20% more energy efficient than the minimum federal standard.

Thanks to recent improvements in insulation and compressors, today's refrigerators use much less energy than older models. With an ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator, you can maximize your energy and dollar savings without sacrificing the features you want.

• Slash your energy bills.
  ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators are required by the U.S. Department of Energy to use 20% less energy than models not labeled with the ENERGY STAR logo. Choose a new qualified model rather than a non-qualified model and cut your energy bills by $165 over the lifetime of your fridge.
• Replace your old fridge for bigger savings.
  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.
• Protect the environment.
  Nearly 70% of U.S. electricity is generated with coal and natural gas, which release greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators use less energy and help us reduce our impact on the environment.

Current Specification Effective Date: April 28, 2008

Refrigerators originally qualified for the ENERGY STAR label in June 1996. ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators are 20% more efficient than non-qualified models and are 20% more efficient than models that simply meet the federal minimum standard for energy efficiency.

Refrigerators and Freezers Key Product Criteria: ENERGY STAR

Learn How a Product Earns the Label

Buying Guidance

Ask for an ENERGY STAR model.
When buying a refrigerator, request an ENERGY STAR qualified model to ensure it is energy efficient.

Check the yellow EnergyGuide label.
Use this label to determine the model's energy use, compare the energy use of similar models, and estimate annual operating costs. Learn How to Use the EnergyGuide Label .

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.

Purchase an appropriately sized refrigerator.
Generally, the larger the refrigerator, the greater the energy consumption. The most energy-efficient models are typically 16–20 cubic feet.

Consider skipping the ice-maker and dispenser.
Automatic ice-makers and through-the-door dispensers increase energy use by 14–20%. They also raise the purchase price by $75–250.

Related Information:
Refrigerator Usage Best Practices

These are the top FAQs related to Refrigerators and the ENERGY STAR program.

1. Do I need a new refrigerator? Should I recycle or donate my old one?
2. How do I manually defrost a refrigerator?
3. What's more energy efficient, a refrigerator with a top-mounted freezers, bottom-mounted freezer, or a side-by-side?
4. Can I put a refrigerator in an uninsulated garage which is subject to winter and summer extreme temperatures?
5. Can a wine refrigerator, kegerator, or residential beverage chiller qualify for ENERGY STAR?
6. Are manual defrost refrigerators more energy efficient?
7. Refrigerators: What is "adjusted volume?"
8. What does a "+" or "*" mean on an ENERGY STAR product list?
9. Where can I buy ENERGY STAR qualified products?
10. Is every ENERGY STAR labeled product on your Web site?

View All FAQs