In general, refrigerators with top-mounted freezers use less energy than refrigerators with either side-mounted or bottom-mounted freezers. An ENERGY STAR certified top-freezer refrigerator uses about 360 kWh or $60 a year to run, on average. An ENERGY STAR certified bottom freezer refrigerator uses about 560 kWh or $90 a year to run, on average. An ENERGY STAR certified side-by-side refrigerator uses about 630 kWh or about $100 a year to run, on average. A top-freezer refrigerator that has earned the ENERGY STAR uses less energy than a 60-watt light bulb. However, there is a large degree of variation depending on the size of a given refrigerator/freezer, its defrost type, and whether the model has through-the-door ice.
You can compare the annual energy usage of each ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator using our Product Finder.
What's more energy efficient, a refrigerator with a top-mounted freezer, bottom-mounted freezer, or a side-by-side?
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