Whirlpool WH31S1E: running cost
At 320 kWh/yr, the Whirlpool WH31S1E's ENERGY STAR certification puts it cheaper than most models in its category to run against every other certified refrigerator.
The $60 figure above uses the simple average of all 51 published state rates. Pick your state for the real number.
Whirlpool WH31S1E against the category
That's 17.1% below the refrigerator category average of 386 kWh/yr, and ranks 2,011 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 $12/year below that average at the national rate. See the methodology page.
What sits beside it in the ranking
Whirlpool WHR31TS4E ($60/yr, 320 kWh/yr) costs a little more to run than the Whirlpool WH31S1E. Whirlpool WH31GE ($60/yr, 320 kWh/yr) costs a little less.
Same brand, different models
Whirlpool makes 156 ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators; this one ranks 21 of 156 for running cost, between the brand's cheapest, the AMA27S1E at $40/yr, and its priciest, the WRF995FIF*** at $142/yr.
What this adds up to over time
Over the 13-year service life NAHB reports for this category, running the Whirlpool WH31S1E costs roughly $782 in electricity, separate from the purchase price.
Shopping for a new one
The Whirlpool WH31S1E is already efficient for its category at $60/year. If you're shopping and comparing options, this is roughly what a well-chosen new refrigerator costs to run.
Compare current ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators before buying.
Protecting what you have
A refrigerator like the Whirlpool WH31S1E 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.
Sourcing
Nothing here is estimated from a nameplate wattage; the 320 kWh/yr is ENERGY STAR's own certified figure for this model. 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.