Consumer Reports finds top-freezer fridges generally cost less to run as energy prices rise

As utility costs climb, Consumer Reports says a refrigerator's design can affect how much you spend to run it, with top-freezer models typically costing less to operate than other configurations.

That matters because a refrigerator is one of the only appliances that never really shuts off.

Here's what to know

According to WISN, Consumer Reports examined how much energy major appliances use and found that differences between models can be substantial, particularly for refrigerators.

Consumer Reports' Deb Silber said the group bases its energy findings on tests designed to mirror typical home use.

"We test the energy use of appliances under real-world conditions, so that means when we're testing a dishwasher, we're loading it with dirty dishes so it's going to reflect what you would experience at home," Silber said.

For refrigerators, Consumer Reports recommended the Frigidaire FFHT1425VV, a top-freezer model that costs $746 and is estimated to run about $37 to $97 per year in terms of usage costs.

For shoppers who need more room, Consumer Reports also pointed to the bottom-freezer GE GDE21EYKFS. That model starts at $1,973 and is projected to cost about $34 to $105 a year to run while still offering substantial capacity.

More background

Consumer Reports said dryers are another major source of household energy use, but it noted that cutting drying costs can start with the washer, not the dryer alone.

Its recommended LG WM4000HWA washing machine, which starts at $945, can wring more water out of laundry before a drying cycle begins. That means the dryer has less work to do, which saves energy.

Testing also highlighted heat pump dryers as an outlier: Consumer Reports said they can significantly reduce energy use, but longer drying times may be a drawback for some households.

What can be done?

Consumer Reports says labels like Energy Star and EnergyGuide are a useful first screen, but shoppers should also review performance data from testing designed to reflect everyday use.

If you're also upgrading cooking appliances, Consumer Reports recommended the Frigidaire FCFI3082BS induction range. The model starts at $1,099 and costs about $83 per year to run.

Pairing a washer upgrade with an efficient dryer can help, too. A washer such as the LG WM4000HWA removes more water before drying, and a heat pump dryer can lower energy use if the extra time is acceptable.

Where can I learn more?

For more, these articles explain how refrigerators use electricity in everyday life — and what happens when something goes wrong.

• In the UK, a hidden power drain surfaced when a four-year-old fridge kept using electricity.

• New homeowners found temperature monitoring mattered more than alerts for catching freezer failures early.

• An EcoFlow user learned a 28-cubic-foot fridge could drain 2 kWh in about 22 hours.

• A Jackery owner saw battery drop 10% even with the refrigerator plugged into wall power.

• For one eight-year-old fridge, repair advice turned blunt: buy a new one.

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