What the Kenmore KMR17MS1E costs to run
ENERGY STAR certifies the Kenmore KMR17MS1E at 208 kWh/yr, one of the cheaper models in its category to run for its category.
That $39 is priced at 18.8¢/kWh, the average of all 51 state rates this site tracks. Your own state's rate is one click away.
Efficient, or not, for a refrigerator
Against the category average of 386 kWh/yr, this model uses 46.1% less, ranking 431 of 4,704 refrigerators tracked here for running cost. That average is drawn from all 4,704 refrigerators ENERGY STAR currently certifies, not an outside number, a $33/year gap from this model at the national rate. Full sourcing is in the sourcing notes.
Right next to it on the list
A rank or two either side of the Kenmore KMR17MS1E: Kenmore KMR17MBKE ($39/yr, 208 kWh/yr), then Kenmore KMR17MWEE ($39/yr, 208 kWh/yr).
Comparing Kenmore's own models
Ranked 4 of Kenmore's 93 certified refrigerators, this sits between the 17764 ($39/yr, the brand's cheapest) and the 46-75625 ($140/yr, its priciest).
Cost over its typical lifespan
Over the 13-year service life NAHB reports for this category, running the Kenmore KMR17MS1E costs roughly $508 in electricity, separate from the purchase price.
Shopping for a new one
Efficient as certified refrigerators go, $39/year is a reasonable baseline if you're comparing what else is on the market.
Compare current ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators before buying.
If you're keeping it
A refrigerator like the Kenmore KMR17MS1E is a real household expense whether or not it needs replacing yet; a protection plan is one way to budget for a repair rather than a full replacement.
Where this number comes from
Two sourced numbers, nothing modeled: ENERGY STAR's certified kWh/yr for this exact model, and EIA's published state electricity rate. At rank 431 of 4,704 for running cost, see the refrigerator category page for the rest of the field, or the guide to how much your state matters.