WattCost

Data through April 2026

Running cost · Refrigerators · ENERGY STAR certified

GE GTE21GSH

The GE GTE21GSH never switches off, and its certified 396 kWh a year works out to about $75 on a U.S.-average electric bill — roughly $6.21 a month for an average continuous draw of 45 watts. It sits near the bottom of the certified table — using 9% more than the median top-freezer refrigerator (rank 511 of 674) — so the state you live in matters more than usual. Where you live moves the bill from $49 a year in North Dakota to $185 in Hawaii. It also meets ENERGY STAR's stricter “Most Efficient” criteria.

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

Dimensions 66.8" H × 32.7" W

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

$75/yr

$7.91 · cheapest certified refrigerators$152 · priciest
Per month
$6.21
Per day
20¢
Certified use
396 kWh/yr
Configuration
Top Freezer
Total capacity
21.1 cu ft
Defrost
Automatic
Ice maker
No
Through-door dispenser
No
42 kWh805 kWh
Where the GE GTE21GSH (▮) sits among all 4,229 certified refrigerators, by annual kWh

What it costs in every state

GE GTE21GSH: 396 kWh/yr × each state's average residential rate (EIA)
StateRate ¢/kWhThis model $/yrRelative cost
Alabama17.4¢$69
Alaska27.4¢$108
Arizona15.5¢$61
Arkansas14.2¢$56
California35.3¢$140
Colorado16.5¢$65
Connecticut32.2¢$128
Delaware18.8¢$74
District of Columbia25.4¢$101
Florida15.4¢$61
Georgia15.4¢$61
Hawaiipriciest46.6¢$185
Idaho12.7¢$50
Illinois20.5¢$81
Indiana17.9¢$71
Iowa13.9¢$55
Kansas15.8¢$62
Kentucky15.0¢$59
Louisiana14.4¢$57
Maine28.4¢$113
Maryland22.1¢$87
Massachusetts29.4¢$117
Michigan21.4¢$85
Minnesota16.4¢$65
Mississippi16.8¢$66
Missouri14.0¢$55
Montana13.9¢$55
Nebraska13.3¢$53
Nevada14.3¢$57
New Hampshire27.2¢$108
New Jersey23.5¢$93
New Mexico15.2¢$60
New York29.4¢$117
North Carolina16.3¢$64
North Dakotacheapest12.3¢$49
Ohio19.5¢$77
Oklahoma13.3¢$53
Oregon15.8¢$62
Pennsylvania21.5¢$85
Rhode Island28.3¢$112
South Carolina17.1¢$68
South Dakota14.5¢$57
Tennessee14.9¢$59
Texas17.0¢$67
Utah13.3¢$53
Vermont24.6¢$97
Virginia17.4¢$69
Washington14.4¢$57
West Virginia16.1¢$64
Wisconsin19.2¢$76
Wyoming14.7¢$58

Certified models closest in efficiency

top-freezer refrigerators within reach of 396 kWh/yr
ModelkWh/yr$/yr (US avg)
APPLIANCE BASICS HD774FWSSmost efficient396$75
GE GTE21GTHmost efficient396$75
Midea WHD-774FSSE1most efficient396$75
Midea WHD-774FW1most efficient396$75
Midea WHD-774FWE1most efficient396$75
Conserv MDRF376-1150397$75

Run your own numbers

Your rate, your numbers

Per day
20¢
Per month
$6.21
Per year
$75

396 kWh/yr × 18.8¢/kWh = $75/yr

Prefilled with this model's certified 396 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 GE GTE21GSH use?
ENERGY STAR certifies the GE GTE21GSH at 396 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 GE GTE21GSH cost to run per month?
About $6.21 a month at the U.S. average residential rate (18.8¢/kWh) — 20¢ a day, or $75 a year. Your state's rate moves this up or down; see the table above.
Is the GE GTE21GSH energy efficient?
It uses 9% more electricity than the median certified top-freezer refrigerator, which puts it among the least efficient certified models. It also meets ENERGY STAR's Most Efficient criteria.
What does the GE GTE21GSH cost to run in the cheapest vs. priciest state?
At current residential rates it costs about $49 a year in North Dakota (12.3¢/kWh) and $185 in Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh).
How many watts does the GE GTE21GSH draw on average?
Spread over a year of continuous operation, 396 kWh works out to an average draw of about 45 watts — like leaving a 45-watt bulb on 24/7.

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