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What is your old appliance
actually costing you?

Enter your appliance details and see exactly what it costs to run today — and how that compares to a current Energy Star model.

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! Note: Side-by-side fridges use 40–60% more energy than top or bottom freezer models of equivalent size. This is factored into your results below.
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Rate / kWh $0.18
All kWh figures sourced directly from EPA Energy Star published data files. Savings calculated using your electricity rate.

The Numbers At A Glance
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Current 10-Year Cost
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Current Energy Usage
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New Model Annual Cost
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What Appliances Really Cost to Run

How appliance energy use has changed by era, and why modern designs cost dramatically less to operate — the same EPA Energy Star baseline data our calculator uses.

Why Modern Refrigerators Use Less Power

Older single-speed refrigerator compressors pull a constant high-wattage spike (often 400 to 600 Watts) each time they cycle on. Modern variable-capacity inverter compressors run continuously at very low power (as little as 40–60 watts), adjusting output smoothly to hold temperature. This engineering shift drops average annual consumption from 700+ kWh on older units to less than 380 kWh on current models.

Why Front-Load Washers Cut Drying Costs

Most of a laundry pair's energy cost comes from the dryer — so how much water the washer removes matters. Traditional top-load washers spin clothes at 600 to 700 RPM, leaving clothes wetter. Front-load drums spin at up to 1,300 RPM. By pulling the vast majority of liquid water out before the load goes to the dryer, dryer run time drops by 30–45%.

Why Induction Wastes Less Energy

Standard radiant glass or open gas burners lose much of their heat to the surrounding air, delivering only 40–55% of their energy to the pan. Induction elements heat the pan itself through a magnetic field, delivering 85–90% of their energy directly to the cookware.

Annual kWh Consumption by Appliance Type and Era — EPA Energy Star Baseline Data
Appliance (Size Class) Pre-2000 (kWh/yr) 2000–2010 (kWh/yr) 2015–2020 (kWh/yr) Current Energy Star (kWh/yr)
Top-Freezer Refrigerator (19–21 cu ft)900–1,300700–900450–600380–480
French Door Refrigerator (25–27 cu ft)1,100–1,500850–1,100550–720420–560
Side-by-Side Refrigerator (22–26 cu ft)1,100–1,600900–1,200620–800500–650
Upright Freezer (18–22 cu ft)700–1,000550–750350–500280–400
Chest Freezer (15–22 cu ft)500–800380–600260–400200–330
How much does an old refrigerator cost to run per year?
A pre-2000 top-freezer refrigerator typically consumes 900–1,300 kWh annually. At the US average rate of $0.18/kWh, that is $162–$234 per year. A current Energy Star top-freezer model in the same size class uses 380–480 kWh, costing $68–$86 per year — a savings of $90–$165 annually. Over 10 years, that difference compounds to $900–$1,650 in avoided electricity costs.
How much energy does a front-load washer save versus a top-load model?
Front-load washers extract significantly more water per cycle by spinning at 1,200–1,300 RPM versus 600–700 RPM for top-load machines. This reduces clothes dryer run time by 30–45%, saving approximately 100–200 kWh annually on the combined washer-dryer system at typical usage rates of 5–8 loads per week.
Is an induction range more energy-efficient than a gas range?
Yes. Induction elements operate at 85–90% efficiency by coupling electromagnetic energy directly to ferrous cookware. Gas ranges transfer only 40–55% of combustion energy to the pan, with the remainder lost to ambient air and surrounding surfaces. For a household cooking one hour daily, induction can save $80–$150 per year compared to a comparable gas range at current US utility rates.

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