Data through April 2026
Running cost · Refrigerators · ENERGY STAR certified
Whirlpool WRTX5421T
Running around the clock, the Whirlpool WRTX5421T uses a certified 398 kWh per year — about $75 at the U.S. average rate, or $6.25 a month, the equivalent of a steady 45-watt draw. Even among certified models it's on the thirsty end: 10% more electricity than the median top-freezer refrigerator, ranked 518 of 674. The same unit costs $49 a year in North Dakota but $186 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 65" H × 33" W
Estimated annual running cost · U.S. average rate 18.8¢/kWh
$75/yr
- Per month
- $6.25
- Per day
- 21¢
- Certified use
- 398 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 | 17.4¢ | $69 | |
| Alaska | 27.4¢ | $109 | |
| Arizona | 15.5¢ | $62 | |
| Arkansas | 14.2¢ | $56 | |
| California | 35.3¢ | $140 | |
| Colorado | 16.5¢ | $66 | |
| Connecticut | 32.2¢ | $128 | |
| Delaware | 18.8¢ | $75 | |
| District of Columbia | 25.4¢ | $101 | |
| Florida | 15.4¢ | $61 | |
| Georgia | 15.4¢ | $61 | |
| Hawaiipriciest | 46.6¢ | $186 | |
| Idaho | 12.7¢ | $51 | |
| Illinois | 20.5¢ | $81 | |
| Indiana | 17.9¢ | $71 | |
| Iowa | 13.9¢ | $55 | |
| Kansas | 15.8¢ | $63 | |
| Kentucky | 15.0¢ | $60 | |
| Louisiana | 14.4¢ | $57 | |
| Maine | 28.4¢ | $113 | |
| Maryland | 22.1¢ | $88 | |
| Massachusetts | 29.4¢ | $117 | |
| Michigan | 21.4¢ | $85 | |
| Minnesota | 16.4¢ | $65 | |
| Mississippi | 16.8¢ | $67 | |
| Missouri | 14.0¢ | $56 | |
| Montana | 13.9¢ | $55 | |
| Nebraska | 13.3¢ | $53 | |
| Nevada | 14.3¢ | $57 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.2¢ | $108 | |
| New Jersey | 23.5¢ | $94 | |
| New Mexico | 15.2¢ | $60 | |
| New York | 29.4¢ | $117 | |
| North Carolina | 16.3¢ | $65 | |
| North Dakotacheapest | 12.3¢ | $49 | |
| Ohio | 19.5¢ | $78 | |
| Oklahoma | 13.3¢ | $53 | |
| Oregon | 15.8¢ | $63 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.5¢ | $85 | |
| Rhode Island | 28.3¢ | $113 | |
| South Carolina | 17.1¢ | $68 | |
| South Dakota | 14.5¢ | $58 | |
| Tennessee | 14.9¢ | $59 | |
| Texas | 17.0¢ | $68 | |
| Utah | 13.3¢ | $53 | |
| Vermont | 24.6¢ | $98 | |
| Virginia | 17.4¢ | $69 | |
| Washington | 14.4¢ | $57 | |
| West Virginia | 16.1¢ | $64 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.2¢ | $76 | |
| Wyoming | 14.7¢ | $58 |
Certified models closest in efficiency
| Model | kWh/yr | $/yr (US avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Whirlpool WRTX7421Tmost efficient | 398 | $75 |
| Conserv MDRF376-1150 | 397 | $75 |
| FULGOR MILANO FM4FBM24SS-BS | 397 | $75 |
| Whirlpool WRT541SZD*0most efficient | 399 | $75 |
| Whirlpool WRT541SZH*0most efficient | 399 | $75 |
| APPLIANCE BASICS HD774FWSSmost efficient | 396 | $75 |
Run your own numbers
Your rate, your numbers
- Per day
- 21¢
- Per month
- $6.25
- Per year
- $75
398 kWh/yr × 18.8¢/kWh = $75/yr
Prefilled with this model's certified 398 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 WRTX5421T use?
- ENERGY STAR certifies the Whirlpool WRTX5421T at 398 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 WRTX5421T cost to run per month?
- About $6.25 a month at the U.S. average residential rate (18.8¢/kWh) — 21¢ a day, or $75 a year. Your state's rate moves this up or down; see the table above.
- Is the Whirlpool WRTX5421T 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 WRTX5421T cost to run in the cheapest vs. priciest state?
- At current residential rates it costs about $49 a year in North Dakota (12.3¢/kWh) and $186 in Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh).
- How many watts does the Whirlpool WRTX5421T draw on average?
- Spread over a year of continuous operation, 398 kWh works out to an average draw of about 45 watts — like leaving a 45-watt bulb on 24/7.