Data through June 2026
Running cost · Refrigerators · ENERGY STAR certified
Whirlpool WRT541SZH*0
The Whirlpool WRT541SZH*0 never switches off, and its certified 399 kWh a year works out to about $73 on a U.S.-average electric bill — roughly $6.10 a month for an average continuous draw of 46 watts. Even among certified models it's on the thirsty end: 10% more electricity than the median top-freezer refrigerator, ranked 554 of 713. The same unit costs $52 a year in Nevada but $210 in Hawaii — electricity rates, not the appliance, make the difference. It also meets ENERGY STAR's stricter “Most Efficient” criteria.
Uses 10% less energy than the U.S. federal minimum
Dimensions 64.8" H × 32.5" W
Estimated annual running cost · U.S. average rate 18.3¢/kWh
$73/yr
- Per month
- $6.10
- Per day
- 20¢
- Certified use
- 399 kWh/yr
- Configuration
- Top Freezer
- Total capacity
- 21.3 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¢ | $65 | |
| Alaska | 28.2¢ | $113 | |
| Arizona | 15.2¢ | $61 | |
| Arkansas | 14.1¢ | $56 | |
| California | 34.7¢ | $139 | |
| Colorado | 17.1¢ | $68 | |
| Connecticut | 24.3¢ | $97 | |
| Delaware | 19.3¢ | $77 | |
| District of Columbia | 24.4¢ | $97 | |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $60 | |
| Georgia | 16.4¢ | $65 | |
| Hawaiipriciest | 52.7¢ | $210 | |
| Idaho | 14.4¢ | $57 | |
| Illinois | 19.9¢ | $79 | |
| Indiana | 17.5¢ | $70 | |
| Iowa | 15.9¢ | $64 | |
| Kansas | 15.7¢ | $63 | |
| Kentucky | 14.3¢ | $57 | |
| Louisiana | 13.5¢ | $54 | |
| Maine | 29.6¢ | $118 | |
| Maryland | 21.8¢ | $87 | |
| Massachusetts | 29.6¢ | $118 | |
| Michigan | 23.0¢ | $92 | |
| Minnesota | 17.5¢ | $70 | |
| Mississippi | 14.9¢ | $59 | |
| Missouri | 16.2¢ | $65 | |
| Montana | 15.1¢ | $60 | |
| Nebraska | 13.3¢ | $53 | |
| Nevadacheapest | 13.1¢ | $52 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.0¢ | $108 | |
| New Jersey | 24.9¢ | $100 | |
| New Mexico | 15.1¢ | $60 | |
| New York | 29.5¢ | $118 | |
| North Carolina | 14.7¢ | $59 | |
| North Dakota | 14.1¢ | $56 | |
| Ohio | 19.2¢ | $77 | |
| Oklahoma | 14.3¢ | $57 | |
| Oregon | 16.3¢ | $65 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.7¢ | $87 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.2¢ | $117 | |
| South Carolina | 15.6¢ | $62 | |
| South Dakota | 15.4¢ | $61 | |
| Tennessee | 14.1¢ | $56 | |
| Texas | 15.9¢ | $64 | |
| Utah | 13.4¢ | $53 | |
| Vermont | 24.4¢ | $98 | |
| Virginia | 17.2¢ | $69 | |
| Washington | 14.9¢ | $59 | |
| West Virginia | 15.4¢ | $62 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.6¢ | $78 | |
| Wyoming | 15.2¢ | $61 |
Certified models closest in efficiency
| Model | kWh/yr | $/yr (US avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Whirlpool WRT541SZD*0most efficient | 399 | $73 |
| GE GPE12FGZmost efficient | 398 | $73 |
| GE GPE12FSZmost efficient | 398 | $73 |
| Whirlpool WRTX5421Tmost efficient | 398 | $73 |
| Whirlpool WRTX7421Tmost efficient | 398 | $73 |
| Conserv MDRF376-1150 | 397 | $73 |
Run your own numbers
Your rate, your numbers
- Per day
- 20¢
- Per month
- $6.10
- Per year
- $73
399 kWh/yr × 18.3¢/kWh = $73/yr
Prefilled with this model's certified 399 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 WRT541SZH*0 use?
- ENERGY STAR certifies the Whirlpool WRT541SZH*0 at 399 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 WRT541SZH*0 cost to run per month?
- About $6.10 a month at the U.S. average residential rate (18.3¢/kWh) — 20¢ a day, or $73 a year. Your state's rate moves this up or down; see the table above.
- Is the Whirlpool WRT541SZH*0 energy efficient?
- It uses 10% more electricity than the median certified top-freezer refrigerator, which puts it among the least efficient certified models. It also meets ENERGY STAR's Most Efficient criteria.
- What does the Whirlpool WRT541SZH*0 cost to run in the cheapest vs. priciest state?
- At current residential rates it costs about $52 a year in Nevada (13.1¢/kWh) and $210 in Hawaii (52.7¢/kWh).
- How many watts does the Whirlpool WRT541SZH*0 draw on average?
- Spread over a year of continuous operation, 399 kWh works out to an average draw of about 46 watts — like leaving a 46-watt bulb on 24/7.