WattCost

Data through April 2026

Running cost · Refrigerators · ENERGY STAR certified

TCL MR421S

The TCL MR421S never switches off, and its certified 228 kWh a year works out to about $43 on a U.S.-average electric bill — roughly $3.58 a month for an average continuous draw of 26 watts. Efficiency-wise it's unremarkable in a good way: within 7% of the median certified compact refrigerator (rank 673 of 1589). The same unit costs $28 a year in North Dakota but $106 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
$3.58
Per day
12¢
Certified use
228 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 TCL MR421S (▮) sits among all 4,229 certified refrigerators, by annual kWh

What it costs in every state

TCL MR421S: 228 kWh/yr × each state's average residential rate (EIA)
StateRate ¢/kWhThis model $/yrRelative cost
Alabama17.4¢$40
Alaska27.4¢$62
Arizona15.5¢$35
Arkansas14.2¢$32
California35.3¢$80
Colorado16.5¢$38
Connecticut32.2¢$74
Delaware18.8¢$43
District of Columbia25.4¢$58
Florida15.4¢$35
Georgia15.4¢$35
Hawaiipriciest46.6¢$106
Idaho12.7¢$29
Illinois20.5¢$47
Indiana17.9¢$41
Iowa13.9¢$32
Kansas15.8¢$36
Kentucky15.0¢$34
Louisiana14.4¢$33
Maine28.4¢$65
Maryland22.1¢$50
Massachusetts29.4¢$67
Michigan21.4¢$49
Minnesota16.4¢$37
Mississippi16.8¢$38
Missouri14.0¢$32
Montana13.9¢$32
Nebraska13.3¢$30
Nevada14.3¢$33
New Hampshire27.2¢$62
New Jersey23.5¢$54
New Mexico15.2¢$35
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¢$65
South Carolina17.1¢$39
South Dakota14.5¢$33
Tennessee14.9¢$34
Texas17.0¢$39
Utah13.3¢$30
Vermont24.6¢$56
Virginia17.4¢$40
Washington14.4¢$33
West Virginia16.1¢$37
Wisconsin19.2¢$44
Wyoming14.7¢$33

Certified models closest in efficiency

compact refrigerators within reach of 228 kWh/yr
ModelkWh/yr$/yr (US avg)
Amana AMA43BKE228$43
Amana AMAR43**E228$43
Avanti RM4406W228$43
Avanti RM4416B228$43
Avanti RM4436SS228$43
Avanti RM52T1BB228$43

Run your own numbers

Your rate, your numbers

Per day
12¢
Per month
$3.58
Per year
$43

228 kWh/yr × 18.8¢/kWh = $43/yr

Prefilled with this model's certified 228 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 TCL MR421S use?
ENERGY STAR certifies the TCL MR421S at 228 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 TCL MR421S cost to run per month?
About $3.58 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 TCL MR421S energy efficient?
It uses 7% less electricity than the median certified compact refrigerator.
What does the TCL MR421S 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 $106 in Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh).
How many watts does the TCL MR421S draw on average?
Spread over a year of continuous operation, 228 kWh works out to an average draw of about 26 watts — like leaving a 26-watt bulb on 24/7.

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