WattCost

Data through April 2026

Running cost · Refrigerators · ENERGY STAR certified

Whirlpool WRB551WNBS

The Whirlpool WRB551WNBS never switches off, and its certified 353 kWh a year works out to about $66 on a U.S.-average electric bill — roughly $5.54 a month for an average continuous draw of 40 watts. Only a handful of certified bottom-freezer refrigerators do better: it ranks 29 of 1458 and undercuts the median by 37%. The same unit costs $44 a year in North Dakota but $165 in Hawaii — electricity rates, not the appliance, make the difference.

Uses 20% less energy than the U.S. federal minimum

Dimensions 74" H × 24" W

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

$66/yr

$7.91 · cheapest certified refrigerators$152 · priciest
Per month
$5.54
Per day
18¢
Certified use
353 kWh/yr
Configuration
Bottom Freezer
Total capacity
11.3 cu ft
Defrost
Automatic
Ice maker
No
Through-door dispenser
No
42 kWh805 kWh
Where the Whirlpool WRB551WNBS (▮) sits among all 4,229 certified refrigerators, by annual kWh

What it costs in every state

Whirlpool WRB551WNBS: 353 kWh/yr × each state's average residential rate (EIA)
StateRate ¢/kWhThis model $/yrRelative cost
Alabama17.4¢$61
Alaska27.4¢$97
Arizona15.5¢$55
Arkansas14.2¢$50
California35.3¢$124
Colorado16.5¢$58
Connecticut32.2¢$114
Delaware18.8¢$66
District of Columbia25.4¢$90
Florida15.4¢$54
Georgia15.4¢$54
Hawaiipriciest46.6¢$165
Idaho12.7¢$45
Illinois20.5¢$72
Indiana17.9¢$63
Iowa13.9¢$49
Kansas15.8¢$56
Kentucky15.0¢$53
Louisiana14.4¢$51
Maine28.4¢$100
Maryland22.1¢$78
Massachusetts29.4¢$104
Michigan21.4¢$76
Minnesota16.4¢$58
Mississippi16.8¢$59
Missouri14.0¢$49
Montana13.9¢$49
Nebraska13.3¢$47
Nevada14.3¢$50
New Hampshire27.2¢$96
New Jersey23.5¢$83
New Mexico15.2¢$53
New York29.4¢$104
North Carolina16.3¢$57
North Dakotacheapest12.3¢$44
Ohio19.5¢$69
Oklahoma13.3¢$47
Oregon15.8¢$56
Pennsylvania21.5¢$76
Rhode Island28.3¢$100
South Carolina17.1¢$60
South Dakota14.5¢$51
Tennessee14.9¢$53
Texas17.0¢$60
Utah13.3¢$47
Vermont24.6¢$87
Virginia17.4¢$61
Washington14.4¢$51
West Virginia16.1¢$57
Wisconsin19.2¢$68
Wyoming14.7¢$52

Certified models closest in efficiency

bottom-freezer refrigerators within reach of 353 kWh/yr
ModelkWh/yr$/yr (US avg)
Liebherr SC7751most efficient354$67
Beko BFBD30216SSmost efficient355$67
Beko BFBD30216SSLmost efficient355$67
Beko BFBF30116SSmost efficient355$67
Beko BFBF30216SSmost efficient355$67
Beko BFBF30216SSLmost efficient355$67

Run your own numbers

Your rate, your numbers

Per day
18¢
Per month
$5.54
Per year
$66

353 kWh/yr × 18.8¢/kWh = $66/yr

Prefilled with this model's certified 353 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 WRB551WNBS use?
ENERGY STAR certifies the Whirlpool WRB551WNBS at 353 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 WRB551WNBS cost to run per month?
About $5.54 a month at the U.S. average residential rate (18.8¢/kWh) — 18¢ a day, or $66 a year. Your state's rate moves this up or down; see the table above.
Is the Whirlpool WRB551WNBS energy efficient?
It uses 37% less electricity than the median certified bottom-freezer refrigerator, placing it in the top 10% of certified models.
What does the Whirlpool WRB551WNBS cost to run in the cheapest vs. priciest state?
At current residential rates it costs about $44 a year in North Dakota (12.3¢/kWh) and $165 in Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh).
How many watts does the Whirlpool WRB551WNBS draw on average?
Spread over a year of continuous operation, 353 kWh works out to an average draw of about 40 watts — like leaving a 40-watt bulb on 24/7.

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