WattCost

Data through April 2026

Running cost · Refrigerators · ENERGY STAR certified

Summit BF181SS

The Summit BF181SS never switches off, and its certified 380 kWh a year works out to about $72 on a U.S.-average electric bill — roughly $5.96 a month for an average continuous draw of 43 watts. Only a handful of certified bottom-freezer refrigerators do better: it ranks 74 of 1458 and undercuts the median by 32%. Where you live moves the bill from $47 a year in North Dakota to $177 in Hawaii.

Uses 14% less energy than the U.S. federal minimum

Dimensions 76.8" H × 23.4" W

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

$72/yr

$7.91 · cheapest certified refrigerators$152 · priciest
Per month
$5.96
Per day
20¢
Certified use
380 kWh/yr
Configuration
Bottom Freezer
Total capacity
11.7 cu ft
Defrost
Automatic
Ice maker
No
Through-door dispenser
No
42 kWh805 kWh
Where the Summit BF181SS (▮) sits among all 4,229 certified refrigerators, by annual kWh

What it costs in every state

Summit BF181SS: 380 kWh/yr × each state's average residential rate (EIA)
StateRate ¢/kWhThis model $/yrRelative cost
Alabama17.4¢$66
Alaska27.4¢$104
Arizona15.5¢$59
Arkansas14.2¢$54
California35.3¢$134
Colorado16.5¢$63
Connecticut32.2¢$123
Delaware18.8¢$71
District of Columbia25.4¢$97
Florida15.4¢$58
Georgia15.4¢$58
Hawaiipriciest46.6¢$177
Idaho12.7¢$48
Illinois20.5¢$78
Indiana17.9¢$68
Iowa13.9¢$53
Kansas15.8¢$60
Kentucky15.0¢$57
Louisiana14.4¢$55
Maine28.4¢$108
Maryland22.1¢$84
Massachusetts29.4¢$112
Michigan21.4¢$81
Minnesota16.4¢$62
Mississippi16.8¢$64
Missouri14.0¢$53
Montana13.9¢$53
Nebraska13.3¢$50
Nevada14.3¢$54
New Hampshire27.2¢$104
New Jersey23.5¢$89
New Mexico15.2¢$58
New York29.4¢$112
North Carolina16.3¢$62
North Dakotacheapest12.3¢$47
Ohio19.5¢$74
Oklahoma13.3¢$51
Oregon15.8¢$60
Pennsylvania21.5¢$82
Rhode Island28.3¢$108
South Carolina17.1¢$65
South Dakota14.5¢$55
Tennessee14.9¢$57
Texas17.0¢$65
Utah13.3¢$51
Vermont24.6¢$93
Virginia17.4¢$66
Washington14.4¢$55
West Virginia16.1¢$61
Wisconsin19.2¢$73
Wyoming14.7¢$56

Certified models closest in efficiency

bottom-freezer refrigerators within reach of 380 kWh/yr
ModelkWh/yr$/yr (US avg)
Danby DBMF100C1SLDB380$72
Fisher & Paykel RB2470BRV1380$72
Gorenje HZF3567SED380$72
Insignia NS-RBM10SS2380$72
Insignia NS-RBM10WH2380$72
Samsung RB16DG6000380$72

Run your own numbers

Your rate, your numbers

Per day
20¢
Per month
$5.96
Per year
$72

380 kWh/yr × 18.8¢/kWh = $72/yr

Prefilled with this model's certified 380 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 Summit BF181SS use?
ENERGY STAR certifies the Summit BF181SS at 380 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 Summit BF181SS cost to run per month?
About $5.96 a month at the U.S. average residential rate (18.8¢/kWh) — 20¢ a day, or $72 a year. Your state's rate moves this up or down; see the table above.
Is the Summit BF181SS energy efficient?
It uses 32% less electricity than the median certified bottom-freezer refrigerator, placing it in the top 10% of certified models.
What does the Summit BF181SS cost to run in the cheapest vs. priciest state?
At current residential rates it costs about $47 a year in North Dakota (12.3¢/kWh) and $177 in Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh).
How many watts does the Summit BF181SS draw on average?
Spread over a year of continuous operation, 380 kWh works out to an average draw of about 43 watts — like leaving a 43-watt bulb on 24/7.

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