Whirlpool WRT348FME0 Running Cost (Refrigerator)
What the Whirlpool WRT348FME0 costs to run
ENERGY STAR certifies the Whirlpool WRT348FME0 at 455 kWh/yr, more expensive than most models in its category to run for its category.
The $86 figure above uses the simple average of all 51 published state rates. Pick your state for the real number.
Whirlpool WRT348FME0 against the category
That's 17.9% above the refrigerator category average of 386 kWh/yr, and ranks 3,238 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 $13/year above that average at the national rate. See the methodology page.
What sits beside it in the ranking
Fisher & Paykel RF178WRNJX1 ($86/yr, 456 kWh/yr) costs a little more to run than the Whirlpool WRT348FME0. Whirlpool WRT148FZD ($86/yr, 455 kWh/yr) costs a little less.
Within the Whirlpool lineup
Whirlpool makes 156 ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators; this one ranks 60 of 156 for running cost, between the brand's cheapest, the AMA27S1E at $40/yr, and its priciest, the WRF995FIF at $142/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 Whirlpool WRT348FME0 that long and it costs about $1,112 in electricity, on top of whatever it cost to buy.
Shopping for a new one
Running above the category average, $86/year is exactly the kind of number that makes a newer, more efficient model pay for itself faster.
Compare current ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators before buying.
Protecting what you have
$86/year to run is the predictable cost of the Whirlpool WRT348FME0; a protection plan covers the unpredictable one, a repair bill.
Sourcing
Nothing here is estimated from a nameplate wattage; the 455 kWh/yr is ENERGY STAR's own certified figure for this model. At rank 3,238 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.