TCL TRF20S5AL-S1: running cost
ENERGY STAR certifies the TCL TRF20S5AL-S1 at 461 kWh/yr, more expensive than most models in its category to run for its category.
That $87 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.
How the TCL TRF20S5AL-S1 compares to other refrigerators
The category average is 386 kWh/yr; this model runs 19.4% above it, ranking 3,296 of 4,704 refrigerators tracked here for running cost. 4,704 certified refrigerators, one average, about $14/year of daylight between it and this model; the full methodology has the rest.
Neighbouring models
Right next to the TCL TRF20S5AL-S1 on that list: Marathon MFF208WFD-2 ($87/yr, 461 kWh/yr) runs slightly less, while Whirlpool WRT549SZD* ($87/yr, 462 kWh/yr) runs slightly more.
Same brand, different models
Of the 24 ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators TCL makes, the TRF20S5AL-S1 costs the most to run, $48/year more than TCL's cheapest, the MR121S.
Cost over its typical lifespan
Over the 13-year service life NAHB reports for this category, running the TCL TRF20S5AL-S1 costs roughly $1,127 in electricity, separate from the purchase price.
Shopping for a new one
At $87/year, this is on the expensive side for a refrigerator; the cheapest certified model in this category runs about $8/year, worth knowing before buying either the TCL TRF20S5AL-S1 or its replacement.
See what else is certified in this category before you decide.
If you're keeping it
A refrigerator like the TCL TRF20S5AL-S1 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.
How this was checked
Two sourced numbers, nothing modeled: ENERGY STAR's certified kWh/yr for this exact model, and EIA's published state electricity rate. The full Refrigerator category page shows all 4,704 refrigerators ranked by cost; the state-rate guide covers the half of this number that isn't the appliance.