WattCost

Data through April 2026

Running cost · Refrigerators · ENERGY STAR certified

Danby Designer DCR044A2

Running around the clock, the Danby Designer DCR044A2 uses a certified 226 kWh per year — about $43 at the U.S. average rate, or $3.55 a month, the equivalent of a steady 26-watt draw. That's close to the middle of the certified pack — about 8% under the median compact refrigerator, ranked 584 of 1589. The same unit costs $28 a year in North Dakota but $105 in Hawaii — electricity rates, not the appliance, make the difference.

Estimated annual running cost · U.S. average rate 18.8¢/kWh

$43/yr

$7.91 · cheapest certified refrigerators$152 · priciest
Per month
$3.55
Per day
12¢
Certified use
226 kWh/yr
Configuration
Compact Refrigerator
Total capacity
4.4 cu ft
Defrost
Manual
Ice maker
No
Through-door dispenser
No
42 kWh805 kWh
Where the Danby Designer DCR044A2 (▮) sits among all 4,229 certified refrigerators, by annual kWh

What it costs in every state

Danby Designer DCR044A2: 226 kWh/yr × each state's average residential rate (EIA)
StateRate ¢/kWhThis model $/yrRelative cost
Alabama17.4¢$39
Alaska27.4¢$62
Arizona15.5¢$35
Arkansas14.2¢$32
California35.3¢$80
Colorado16.5¢$37
Connecticut32.2¢$73
Delaware18.8¢$42
District of Columbia25.4¢$57
Florida15.4¢$35
Georgia15.4¢$35
Hawaiipriciest46.6¢$105
Idaho12.7¢$29
Illinois20.5¢$46
Indiana17.9¢$40
Iowa13.9¢$31
Kansas15.8¢$36
Kentucky15.0¢$34
Louisiana14.4¢$33
Maine28.4¢$64
Maryland22.1¢$50
Massachusetts29.4¢$67
Michigan21.4¢$48
Minnesota16.4¢$37
Mississippi16.8¢$38
Missouri14.0¢$32
Montana13.9¢$31
Nebraska13.3¢$30
Nevada14.3¢$32
New Hampshire27.2¢$62
New Jersey23.5¢$53
New Mexico15.2¢$34
New York29.4¢$67
North Carolina16.3¢$37
North Dakotacheapest12.3¢$28
Ohio19.5¢$44
Oklahoma13.3¢$30
Oregon15.8¢$36
Pennsylvania21.5¢$49
Rhode Island28.3¢$64
South Carolina17.1¢$39
South Dakota14.5¢$33
Tennessee14.9¢$34
Texas17.0¢$38
Utah13.3¢$30
Vermont24.6¢$56
Virginia17.4¢$39
Washington14.4¢$32
West Virginia16.1¢$36
Wisconsin19.2¢$43
Wyoming14.7¢$33

Certified models closest in efficiency

compact refrigerators within reach of 226 kWh/yr
ModelkWh/yr$/yr (US avg)
APPLIANCE BASICS CR44CABSDSS226$43
ARCTIC CHEF ACFR465-6COM226$43
Arctic King ARM044S1ARSV226$43
Arctic King ARM44S5ABB226$43
BLACK DECKER BCRK43B226$43
Crosley ARX443UW226$43

Run your own numbers

Your rate, your numbers

Per day
12¢
Per month
$3.55
Per year
$43

226 kWh/yr × 18.8¢/kWh = $43/yr

Prefilled with this model's certified 226 kWh/yr — adjust if your usage differs from the DOE test basis. The certified annual kWh comes from the DOE test procedure, which measures continuous 24/7 operation at standardized temperatures — refrigerators never get a day off.

Questions, answered with the data

How much electricity does the Danby Designer DCR044A2 use?
ENERGY STAR certifies the Danby Designer DCR044A2 at 226 kWh per year. The certified annual kWh comes from the DOE test procedure, which measures continuous 24/7 operation at standardized temperatures — refrigerators never get a day off.
How much does the Danby Designer DCR044A2 cost to run per month?
About $3.55 a month at the U.S. average residential rate (18.8¢/kWh) — 12¢ a day, or $43 a year. Your state's rate moves this up or down; see the table above.
Is the Danby Designer DCR044A2 energy efficient?
It uses 8% less electricity than the median certified compact refrigerator.
What does the Danby Designer DCR044A2 cost to run in the cheapest vs. priciest state?
At current residential rates it costs about $28 a year in North Dakota (12.3¢/kWh) and $105 in Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh).
How many watts does the Danby Designer DCR044A2 draw on average?
Spread over a year of continuous operation, 226 kWh works out to an average draw of about 26 watts — like leaving a 26-watt bulb on 24/7.

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