Steps for Measuring the Efficiency Rate of a Refrigerator

Thanks to improvements in refrigerant compression and insulation technology, modern refrigerators are far more energy efficient than their predecessors. However, not all of today's refrigerators are rated equally when it comes to energy efficiency. Whether you are in the market for a new refrigerator or want to reevaluate the efficiency of your current appliance, here's how to evaluate a refrigerator's efficiency.

Energy Star

Highly efficient refrigerators are noted as Energy Star qualified. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, or DOE, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, Energy Star is a program that evaluates the energy efficiency of appliances and other products. As of 2008, all refrigerators with capacities greater than 7.75 cubic feet must be at least 20 percent more efficient than the federal minimum efficiency standard to earn Energy Star designation.

Configuration

There are three primary refrigerator configurations: refrigerators with freezers on top, refrigerators with freezers on the bottom and side-by-side refrigerators. While components such as the presence of ice makers can influence efficiency ratings, there is a general level of efficiency associated with each configuration. Of the three types, freezer-top refrigerators are considered the most efficient. According to the Energy Star program, the average freezer-top model without an ice-making machine in a door uses 472 kilowatts of energy each year. By comparison, a refrigerator with a freezer on the bottom and no ice maker uses 551 kilowatts per year. A side-by-side refrigerator without an ice maker uses 605.7 kilowatts a year.

External Components

Ice makers and water dispensers on the outside of refrigerator doors increase energy consumption by 14 percent to and 20 percent, according to the Energy Star program. These external components also can $75 to $250 to a refrigerator's cost. Energy loss is less likely to occur when a refrigerator has an internal ice maker or water dispenser because the features do not alter how refrigerator doors are insulated.

Size

Size also plays a role in a refrigerator's efficiency rate. According to the Energy Star program, larger refrigerators generally consume more power than their smaller counterparts. The most efficient models typically have storage capacities ranging between 16 cubic feet and 20 cubic feet.

Reading The Label

If you are at an appliance store and want to learn about the efficiency rate of a particular refrigerator model, the best strategy is to look for the bright yellow EnergyGuide label. The Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, provides EnergyGuide labels to help consumers compare appliances and find one that can save them the most money on energy bills. Two important figures to look for on a refrigerator's EnergyGuide label are the estimated operating cost per year and the estimated electricity usage per year.

References

• Energy Star: Refrigerators