RCA RFR283-B-BLACK-COM: running cost
At 209 kWh/yr, the RCA RFR283-B-BLACK-COM's ENERGY STAR certification puts it one of the cheaper models in its category to run against every other certified refrigerator.
The $39 figure above uses the simple average of all 51 published state rates. Pick your state for the real number.
RCA RFR283-B-BLACK-COM against the category
That's 45.9% below the refrigerator category average of 386 kWh/yr, and ranks 482 of 4,704 certified refrigerators for annual running cost, 1 being cheapest. The category average comes from every refrigerator ENERGY STAR currently certifies (4,704 models), not an outside benchmark, about $33/year below that average at the national rate. See the methodology page.
What sits beside it in the ranking
VIKING VBUI5151GSS ($39/yr, 209 kWh/yr) costs a little more to run than the RCA RFR283-B-BLACK-COM. Marvel MPBV415-SG31A ($39/yr, 209 kWh/yr) costs a little less.
Comparing RCA's own models
RCA makes 46 ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators; this one ranks 31 of 46 for running cost, between the brand's cheapest, the EFR180 at $30/yr, and its priciest, the RFR836-6COM at $60/yr.
Cost over its typical lifespan
NAHB's Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components puts a typical refrigerator's service life at 13 years; run the RCA RFR283-B-BLACK-COM that long and it costs about $511 in electricity, on top of whatever it cost to buy.
Shopping for a new one
The RCA RFR283-B-BLACK-COM is already efficient for its category at $39/year. If you're shopping and comparing options, this is roughly what a well-chosen new refrigerator costs to run.
See what else is certified in this category before you decide.
Protecting what you have
At $39/year just to run, a refrigerator is worth protecting against an unplanned repair bill on top of that.
Sourcing
Nothing here is estimated from a nameplate wattage; the 209 kWh/yr is ENERGY STAR's own certified figure for this model. At rank 482 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.