Data through June 2026
Running cost · Refrigerators · ENERGY STAR certified
POLAR ELITE POLUF21WS
Running around the clock, the POLAR ELITE POLUF21WS uses a certified 273 kWh per year — about $50 at the U.S. average rate, or $4.17 a month, the equivalent of a steady 31-watt draw. Efficiency-wise it's unremarkable in a good way: within 5% of the median certified freezerless-and-single-door refrigerator (rank 102 of 269). Where you live moves the bill from $36 a year in Nevada to $144 in Hawaii.
Uses 22% less energy than the U.S. federal minimum
Dimensions 77" H × 33" W
Estimated annual running cost · U.S. average rate 18.3¢/kWh
$50/yr
- Per month
- $4.17
- Per day
- 14¢
- Certified use
- 273 kWh/yr
- Configuration
- Freezerless and Single Door
- Total capacity
- 21 cu ft
- Defrost
- Automatic
- Ice maker
- No
- Through-door dispenser
- No
What it costs in every state
| State | Rate ¢/kWh | This model $/yr | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.4¢ | $45 | |
| Alaska | 28.2¢ | $77 | |
| Arizona | 15.2¢ | $41 | |
| Arkansas | 14.1¢ | $39 | |
| California | 34.7¢ | $95 | |
| Colorado | 17.1¢ | $47 | |
| Connecticut | 24.3¢ | $66 | |
| Delaware | 19.3¢ | $53 | |
| District of Columbia | 24.4¢ | $67 | |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $41 | |
| Georgia | 16.4¢ | $45 | |
| Hawaiipriciest | 52.7¢ | $144 | |
| Idaho | 14.4¢ | $39 | |
| Illinois | 19.9¢ | $54 | |
| Indiana | 17.5¢ | $48 | |
| Iowa | 15.9¢ | $43 | |
| Kansas | 15.7¢ | $43 | |
| Kentucky | 14.3¢ | $39 | |
| Louisiana | 13.5¢ | $37 | |
| Maine | 29.6¢ | $81 | |
| Maryland | 21.8¢ | $60 | |
| Massachusetts | 29.6¢ | $81 | |
| Michigan | 23.0¢ | $63 | |
| Minnesota | 17.5¢ | $48 | |
| Mississippi | 14.9¢ | $41 | |
| Missouri | 16.2¢ | $44 | |
| Montana | 15.1¢ | $41 | |
| Nebraska | 13.3¢ | $36 | |
| Nevadacheapest | 13.1¢ | $36 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.0¢ | $74 | |
| New Jersey | 24.9¢ | $68 | |
| New Mexico | 15.1¢ | $41 | |
| New York | 29.5¢ | $81 | |
| North Carolina | 14.7¢ | $40 | |
| North Dakota | 14.1¢ | $39 | |
| Ohio | 19.2¢ | $52 | |
| Oklahoma | 14.3¢ | $39 | |
| Oregon | 16.3¢ | $45 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.7¢ | $59 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.2¢ | $80 | |
| South Carolina | 15.6¢ | $42 | |
| South Dakota | 15.4¢ | $42 | |
| Tennessee | 14.1¢ | $38 | |
| Texas | 15.9¢ | $44 | |
| Utah | 13.4¢ | $37 | |
| Vermont | 24.4¢ | $67 | |
| Virginia | 17.2¢ | $47 | |
| Washington | 14.9¢ | $41 | |
| West Virginia | 15.4¢ | $42 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.6¢ | $53 | |
| Wyoming | 15.2¢ | $42 |
Certified models closest in efficiency
| Model | kWh/yr | $/yr (US avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Arctic Wind AUFSS210ETH-LK | 273 | $50 |
| Arctic Wind AUFW210ETH-LK | 273 | $50 |
| POLAR ELITE POLUF21 | 273 | $50 |
| Frigidaire FFUE1536AV | 274 | $50 |
| Frigidaire FFUE1536AW | 274 | $50 |
| GE FUF14DZR | 271 | $50 |
Run your own numbers
Your rate, your numbers
- Per day
- 14¢
- Per month
- $4.17
- Per year
- $50
273 kWh/yr × 18.3¢/kWh = $50/yr
Prefilled with this model's certified 273 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 POLAR ELITE POLUF21WS use?
- ENERGY STAR certifies the POLAR ELITE POLUF21WS at 273 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 POLAR ELITE POLUF21WS cost to run per month?
- About $4.17 a month at the U.S. average residential rate (18.3¢/kWh) — 14¢ a day, or $50 a year. Your state's rate moves this up or down; see the table above.
- Is the POLAR ELITE POLUF21WS energy efficient?
- It uses 5% less electricity than the median certified freezerless-and-single-door refrigerator.
- What does the POLAR ELITE POLUF21WS cost to run in the cheapest vs. priciest state?
- At current residential rates it costs about $36 a year in Nevada (13.1¢/kWh) and $144 in Hawaii (52.7¢/kWh).
- How many watts does the POLAR ELITE POLUF21WS draw on average?
- Spread over a year of continuous operation, 273 kWh works out to an average draw of about 31 watts — like leaving a 31-watt bulb on 24/7.