When you’re talking about the most efficient refrigerators, it can be difficult to determine which are best due to the inefficiency of the standard metrics used to depict efficiency.
First there is the Energy Star compliancy, which means almost nothing now for comparison purposes given that almost all new refrigerators will be Energy Star compliant. Then you have the posted killowatt hours (kWh) and operating costs that are shown on the black and yellow labels. The problem with this is it doesn’t account for the size of the fridge. Using 400 kWh per year to cool a 20 cubic foot fridge without a freezer isn’t as efficient as using the same 400 kWh per year to cool a 32 cubic foot fridge with a freezer.
So for this comparison we are using a different metric derived from the capacity of the refrigerators and the yearly operating costs. This Yearly Operating Cost / Cubic Foot ratio (YOP/CuF) gives an idea of how much it will cost to cool one cubic foot for a year. This helps to make it more clear which refrigerators are using the most efficient designs. YOP/CuF isn’t perfect of course, as it doesn’t account for how much of that space is freezer (more energy intensive) and how much is fridge. It also doesn’t account for ice makers and water dipensers, or other accessories that might impact the overall electric usage. But it’s still far more relevent than just looking at Yearly Operating Cost.
21. Samsung RFG297AABP/XAA, RFG297AAPN/XAA, and RFG297AARS/XAA
Capacity: 29.0 cubic feet (Freezer: 9.0 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 19.5 cubic feet)
Energy Use: 445 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $47
YOP/CuF: 1.62
Configuration: Side-by-Side
Ice Maker: Door
Water Dispenser: Door
The most expensive refrigerators to run on this list are the Samsung RFG297AABP/XAA, RFG297AAPN/XAA, and RFG297AARS/XAA. These refrigerators come in at $47 Yearly Operating Cost, but are still relatively efficient to most fridges out there due to their 1.62 YOP/CuF rating. To put that in perspective, the average full sized refrigerator comes in with a YOP/CuF ratio of 2.41 and the least efficient modern refrigerators sport a hefty 4.90 YOP/CuF! So even these refrigerators at #21 should be considered efficient ones in comparison.
20. Frigidaire FGUB2642LF, FGUB2642LP, and FGUB2642LE
Capacity: 26.7 cubic feet (Freezer: 7.7 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 19.0 cubic feet )
Energy Use: 408 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $43
YOP/CuF: 1.61
Configuration: French Door
Ice Maker: Door
Water Dispenser: Door
19. Maytag MFI2670XEB
Capacity: 25.5 cubic feet (Freezer: 6.6 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 18.9 cubic feet)
Energy Use: 383 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $41
YOP/CuF: 1.61
Configuration: French Door
Ice Maker: Door
Water Dispenser: Door
Maytag’s sole entry on this list is the french door MFI2670XEB fridge model which comes in at just #19. This isn’t a very good showing, but still puts it ahead of several other well known fridge manufacturers who didn’t make the list at all. The MFI2670XEB does include an ice maker and water dispenser in the door, but the freezer isn’t very large at all. While Maytag has hung it’s hat (and reputation) on reliability, perhaps the Maytag repair man should be spending his spare time designing more efficient refrigerators instead of napping.
18. Frigidaire FGUS2645LF, FGUS2647LF, FGUS2642LF, FGUS2637LP, FGUS2637LE, FGUS2632LP, and FGUS2632LE
Capacity: 26.0 cubic feet (Freezer: 9.5 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 16.5 cubic feet )
Energy Use: 383 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $41
YOP/CuF: 1.58
Configuration: Side-by-Side
Ice Maker: Door
Water Dispenser: Door
17. Frigidaire FPHN2899LF, and FGHN2844LF
Capacity: 27.7 cubic feet (Freezer: 8.8 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 18.9 cubic feet )
Energy Use: 408 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $43
YOP/CuF: 1.55
Configuration: French Door
Ice Maker: Yes
Water Dispenser: No
16. Frigidaire FGUN2642LF, FGUN2642LP, and FGUN2642LE
Capacity: 26.6 cubic feet (Freezer: 7.7 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 18.9 cubic feet )
Energy Use: 383 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $41
YOP/CuF: 1.54
Configuration: French Door
Ice Maker: Yes
Water Dispenser: No
15. Frigidaire FGHB2844LF, FGHB2844LP, FGHB2844LE, and FGHB2844LM
Capacity: 27.9 cubic feet (Freezer: 8.8 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 19.0 cubic feet )
Energy Use: 408 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $43
YOP/CuF: 1.54
Configuration: French Door
Ice Maker: Door
Water Dispenser: Door
14. Kenmore 71069
Capacity: 28.0 cubic feet (Freezer: 8.8 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 19.0 cubic feet )
Energy Use: 404 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $43
YOP/CuF: 1.54
Configuration: French Door
Ice Maker: Door
Water Dispenser: Door
13. LG LFX28978SB, LFX28978SW, and LFX28978ST
Capacity: 27.6 cubic feet (Freezer: 8.8 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 18.8 cubic feet)
Energy Use: 396 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $42
YOP/CuF: 1.52
Configuration: French Door
Ice Maker: Door
Water Dispenser: Door
12. Kenmore 71053, 71059, 71054, 71056, and 71052
Capacity: 27.6 cubic feet (Freezer: 8.8 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 18.8 cubic feet )
Energy Use: 383 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $41
YOP/CuF: 1.48
Configuration: French Door
Ice Maker: Door
Water Dispenser: Door
11. Frigidaire FGHN2844LP, FGHN2844LE, and FGHN2844LF
Capacity: 27.7 cubic feet (Freezer: 8.8 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 18.8 cubic feet )
Energy Use: 383 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $41
YOP/CuF: 1.48
Configuration: French Door
Ice Maker: Yes
Water Dispenser: No
10. Kenmore 71062 and 71063
Capacity: 28.0 cubic feet (Freezer: 8.8 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 18.8 cubic feet )
Energy Use: 383 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $41
YOP/CuF: 1.46
Configuration: French Door
Ice Maker: Door
Water Dispenser: Door
9. Frigidaire FGHT2146KF
Capacity: 20.6 cubic feet (Freezer: 5.3 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 15.4 cubic feet)
Energy Use: 274 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $30
YOP/CuF: 1.46
Configuration: Top Freezer (Right Hinge)
Ice Maker: Optional
Water Dispenser: No
The first of 2 traditional looking top freezer (right hinge) refrigerators on this list, the Frigidaire FGHT2146KF is one of the few choices you have if you are looking for an energy efficient fridge in that configuration. It has an optional ice maker (no door access) but no water dispenser. Door access for ice makers and water dispensers are of course much more common on french door and side-by-side models.
The YOP/CuF of 1.46 makes this a respectably energy efficient fridge regardless of door configuration.
8. Kenmore 72069 and 72063
Capacity: 30.5 cubic feet (Freezer: 10.0 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 30.5 cubic feet)
Energy Use: 404 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $43
YOP/CuF: 1.41
Configuration: French Door
Ice Maker: Door
Water Dispenser: Door
These french door bottom freezer models from Kenmore are somewhat expensive to run at $43 Yearly Operating Cost, but given their rather large 30.5 cubic feet capacity (10.0 cubic feet of which is freezer space) along with the standard water dispenser and ice maker in the door mean these fridges have a respectible 1.41 YOP/CuF without having to skimp on features.
7. Kenmore 51374
Capacity: 26.5 cubic feet (Freezer: 10.2 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 16.3 cubic feet)
Energy Use: 345 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $37
YOP/CuF: 1.40
Configuration: Side-by-Side
Ice Maker: Door
Water Dispenser: Door
Kenmore’s 5th (but certainly not last … ) entry on this list already, the 51374 is a side-by-side fridge with a decent sized freezer compartment at 10.2 cubic feet. Matched with an ice maker and water dispenser in the door, Kenmore has a feature rich, efficient refrigerator here.
6. Frigidaire FFHT2126LS
Capacity: 20.6 cubic feet (Freezer: 5.3 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 15.4 cubic feet)
Energy Use: 260 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $28
YOP/CuF: 1.36
Configuration: Top Freezer (Left Hinge)
Ice Maker: Optional
Water Dispenser: No
The most efficient top freezer fridge on this list, the Frigidaire FFHT2126LS is also the fridge with the lowest overall Energy Use and Yearly Operating Cost. It’s lower capacity means with a YOP/CuF rating of 1.36 it doesn’t quite compete with the most efficient refrigerators though. It also has a relatively small freezer as well as no standard ice maker or water dispenser. Still, if you are looking for a top freezer configuration, or aren’t so worried about space as you are operating costs, the FFHT2126LS deserves a close look.
5. Frigidaire FGHS2332LE
Capacity: 22.6 cubic feet (Freezer: 8.3 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 14.2 cubic feet)
Energy Use: 274 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $30
YOP/CuF: 1.33
Configuration: Side-by-Side
Ice Maker: Door
Water Dispenser: Door
Frigidaire’s final entry on this list reaches the #5 spot on the back of a 1.33 YOP/CuF rating. The second best side-by-side configuration and including a water dispenser and ice maker in the door makes this a well-rounded fridge that proves Frigidaire designs can compete with the most efficient refrigerators out there.
4. Samsung RSG309AARS
Capacity: 30.0 cubic feet (Freezer: 11.5 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 1.30 cubic feet)
Energy Use: 365 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $39
YOP/CuF: 1.30
Configuration: Side-by-Side
Ice Maker: Door
Water Dispenser: Door
The second most efficient side-by-side model that makes this list, the RSG309AARS from Samsung is also tied for largest freezer capacity at 11.5 cubic feet. Combined with it’s ice maker and water dispenser in the door, this fridge is no slouch.
3. Kenmore 72062
Capacity: 30.5 cubic feet (Freezer: 11.5 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 18.1 cubic feet)
Energy Use: 363 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $39
YOP/CuF: 1.28
Configuration: French Door
Ice Maker: Door
Water Dispenser: Door
It’s worth noting that the 72062 comes with the largest freezer capacity of any of the french door refrigerators on this list (tied with the Samsung RSG309AARS overall at 11.5 cubic feet). This makes it’s ranking at #3 even more impressive. The 72062 comes with an ice maker and water dispenser to boot.
2. Kenmore 51373
Capacity: 26.5 cubic feet (Freezer: 10.2 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 16.3 cubic feet)
Energy Use: 307 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $33
YOP/CuF: 1.25
Configuration: Side-by-Side
Ice Maker: Door
Water Dispenser: Door
Perhaps the most impressive refrigerator on this list is the Kenmore 51373. This side by side fridge comes with a water dispenser and ice maker in the door. That means it’s 1.25 YOP/CuF rating the best for refrigerators with those features. It’s 10.2 cubic feet of freezer space is also the 3rd largest on the list. All-in-all, the Kenmore 51373 is a fridge to be reckoned with.
1. Kenmore 71032, 71033, 71039, and 71054
Capacity: 33.7 cubic feet (Freezer: 7.2 cubic feet, Refrigerator: 15.6 cubic feet)
Energy Use: 383 kWh
Yearly Operating Cost: $41
YOP/CuF: 1.22
Configuration: French Door
Ice Maker: Door
Water Dispenser: Door
Kenmore closes out it’s domination of the top 3 of this list with 4 very similar models of french door refrigerators. These sport a relatively small bottom freezer of 7.2 cubic feet, which keeps them from setting themselves truly apart from the #2, #3, and #4 entries on this list. Still, with a YOP/CuF of 1.22, while still including an ice maker and water dispenser in the door, and having the largest capacities of any of the fridges on this list, the Kenmore 71032, 71033, 71039, and 71054 deserve to be recognized as the most efficient refrigerators on the market today!
