WattCost

Data through April 2026

Running cost · Refrigerators · ENERGY STAR certified

ELEMENT ERT21CS

Running around the clock, the ELEMENT ERT21CS uses a certified 390 kWh per year — about $73 at the U.S. average rate, or $6.12 a month, the equivalent of a steady 45-watt draw. Efficiency-wise it's unremarkable in a good way: within 7% of the median certified top-freezer refrigerator (rank 485 of 674). The same unit costs $48 a year in North Dakota but $182 in Hawaii — electricity rates, not the appliance, make the difference. It also meets ENERGY STAR's stricter “Most Efficient” criteria.

Uses 10% less energy than the U.S. federal minimum

Dimensions 67" H × 30" W

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

$73/yr

$7.91 · cheapest certified refrigerators$152 · priciest
Per month
$6.12
Per day
20¢
Certified use
390 kWh/yr
Configuration
Top Freezer
Total capacity
20.5 cu ft
Defrost
Automatic
Ice maker
No
Through-door dispenser
No
42 kWh805 kWh
Where the ELEMENT ERT21CS (▮) sits among all 4,229 certified refrigerators, by annual kWh

What it costs in every state

ELEMENT ERT21CS: 390 kWh/yr × each state's average residential rate (EIA)
StateRate ¢/kWhThis model $/yrRelative cost
Alabama17.4¢$68
Alaska27.4¢$107
Arizona15.5¢$60
Arkansas14.2¢$55
California35.3¢$137
Colorado16.5¢$65
Connecticut32.2¢$126
Delaware18.8¢$73
District of Columbia25.4¢$99
Florida15.4¢$60
Georgia15.4¢$60
Hawaiipriciest46.6¢$182
Idaho12.7¢$50
Illinois20.5¢$80
Indiana17.9¢$70
Iowa13.9¢$54
Kansas15.8¢$62
Kentucky15.0¢$59
Louisiana14.4¢$56
Maine28.4¢$111
Maryland22.1¢$86
Massachusetts29.4¢$115
Michigan21.4¢$83
Minnesota16.4¢$64
Mississippi16.8¢$65
Missouri14.0¢$55
Montana13.9¢$54
Nebraska13.3¢$52
Nevada14.3¢$56
New Hampshire27.2¢$106
New Jersey23.5¢$92
New Mexico15.2¢$59
New York29.4¢$115
North Carolina16.3¢$63
North Dakotacheapest12.3¢$48
Ohio19.5¢$76
Oklahoma13.3¢$52
Oregon15.8¢$62
Pennsylvania21.5¢$84
Rhode Island28.3¢$110
South Carolina17.1¢$67
South Dakota14.5¢$57
Tennessee14.9¢$58
Texas17.0¢$66
Utah13.3¢$52
Vermont24.6¢$96
Virginia17.4¢$68
Washington14.4¢$56
West Virginia16.1¢$63
Wisconsin19.2¢$75
Wyoming14.7¢$57

Certified models closest in efficiency

top-freezer refrigerators within reach of 390 kWh/yr
ModelkWh/yr$/yr (US avg)
Criterion CTMR205Mmost efficient390$73
Criterion CTMR205M1most efficient390$73
Crosley CRMH203Amost efficient390$73
HOUSE KOBO UR-BCD572WX-SQ-WZmost efficient390$73
Insignia NS-RTM20most efficient390$73
Insignia NS-RTM20**3most efficient390$73

Run your own numbers

Your rate, your numbers

Per day
20¢
Per month
$6.12
Per year
$73

390 kWh/yr × 18.8¢/kWh = $73/yr

Prefilled with this model's certified 390 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 ELEMENT ERT21CS use?
ENERGY STAR certifies the ELEMENT ERT21CS at 390 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 ELEMENT ERT21CS cost to run per month?
About $6.12 a month at the U.S. average residential rate (18.8¢/kWh) — 20¢ a day, or $73 a year. Your state's rate moves this up or down; see the table above.
Is the ELEMENT ERT21CS energy efficient?
It uses 7% more electricity than the median certified top-freezer refrigerator. It also meets ENERGY STAR's Most Efficient criteria.
What does the ELEMENT ERT21CS cost to run in the cheapest vs. priciest state?
At current residential rates it costs about $48 a year in North Dakota (12.3¢/kWh) and $182 in Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh).
How many watts does the ELEMENT ERT21CS draw on average?
Spread over a year of continuous operation, 390 kWh works out to an average draw of about 45 watts — like leaving a 45-watt bulb on 24/7.

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