WattCost

Data through June 2026

Running cost · Refrigerators · ENERGY STAR certified

Whirlpool WRB543CMJ

The Whirlpool WRB543CMJ never switches off, and its certified 494 kWh a year works out to about $91 on a U.S.-average electric bill — roughly $7.55 a month for an average continuous draw of 56 watts. Compared with the median certified bottom-freezer refrigerator, it uses 12% less electricity — rank 421 out of 1478. The same unit costs $65 a year in Nevada but $260 in Hawaii — electricity rates, not the appliance, make the difference.

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

Dimensions 68.5" H × 24" W

Estimated annual running cost · U.S. average rate 18.3¢/kWh

$91/yr

$7.70 · cheapest certified refrigerators$148 · priciest
Per month
$7.55
Per day
25¢
Certified use
494 kWh/yr
Configuration
Bottom Freezer
Total capacity
13 cu ft
Defrost
Automatic
Ice maker
Yes
Through-door dispenser
No
42 kWh805 kWh
Where the Whirlpool WRB543CMJ (▮) sits among all 4,371 certified refrigerators, by annual kWh

What it costs in every state

Whirlpool WRB543CMJ: 494 kWh/yr × each state's average residential rate (EIA)
StateRate ¢/kWhThis model $/yrRelative cost
Alabama16.4¢$81
Alaska28.2¢$139
Arizona15.2¢$75
Arkansas14.1¢$70
California34.7¢$172
Colorado17.1¢$85
Connecticut24.3¢$120
Delaware19.3¢$95
District of Columbia24.4¢$120
Florida15.1¢$75
Georgia16.4¢$81
Hawaiipriciest52.7¢$260
Idaho14.4¢$71
Illinois19.9¢$98
Indiana17.5¢$86
Iowa15.9¢$79
Kansas15.7¢$78
Kentucky14.3¢$70
Louisiana13.5¢$67
Maine29.6¢$146
Maryland21.8¢$108
Massachusetts29.6¢$146
Michigan23.0¢$114
Minnesota17.5¢$87
Mississippi14.9¢$74
Missouri16.2¢$80
Montana15.1¢$75
Nebraska13.3¢$65
Nevadacheapest13.1¢$65
New Hampshire27.0¢$133
New Jersey24.9¢$123
New Mexico15.1¢$74
New York29.5¢$146
North Carolina14.7¢$73
North Dakota14.1¢$70
Ohio19.2¢$95
Oklahoma14.3¢$71
Oregon16.3¢$81
Pennsylvania21.7¢$107
Rhode Island29.2¢$144
South Carolina15.6¢$77
South Dakota15.4¢$76
Tennessee14.1¢$70
Texas15.9¢$79
Utah13.4¢$66
Vermont24.4¢$121
Virginia17.2¢$85
Washington14.9¢$74
West Virginia15.4¢$76
Wisconsin19.6¢$97
Wyoming15.2¢$75

Certified models closest in efficiency

bottom-freezer refrigerators within reach of 494 kWh/yr
ModelkWh/yr$/yr (US avg)
Whirlpool WRB533CZJ494$91
Fisher & Paykel RF135B***J495$91
Fisher & Paykel RF135B***U495$91
VITARA VFFR2105ESE493$90
Hisense BCD-450WYZ/HC1(H)491$90
Hisense HRB171N6B*E491$90

Run your own numbers

Your rate, your numbers

Per day
25¢
Per month
$7.55
Per year
$91

494 kWh/yr × 18.3¢/kWh = $91/yr

Prefilled with this model's certified 494 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 Whirlpool WRB543CMJ use?
ENERGY STAR certifies the Whirlpool WRB543CMJ at 494 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 Whirlpool WRB543CMJ cost to run per month?
About $7.55 a month at the U.S. average residential rate (18.3¢/kWh) — 25¢ a day, or $91 a year. Your state's rate moves this up or down; see the table above.
Is the Whirlpool WRB543CMJ energy efficient?
It uses 12% less electricity than the median certified bottom-freezer refrigerator, placing it in the efficient third of certified models.
What does the Whirlpool WRB543CMJ cost to run in the cheapest vs. priciest state?
At current residential rates it costs about $65 a year in Nevada (13.1¢/kWh) and $260 in Hawaii (52.7¢/kWh).
How many watts does the Whirlpool WRB543CMJ draw on average?
Spread over a year of continuous operation, 494 kWh works out to an average draw of about 56 watts — like leaving a 56-watt bulb on 24/7.

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