About and method

Appliance Cost Per Year shows what home appliances cost to run each year. It is independent and has no link to ENERGY STAR, the EPA or any maker.

How the numbers work

• Yearly energy use (kWh) for each model is the figure ENERGY STAR publishes from the federal test procedure. We include only models listed for the United States.
• Electricity price is the average residential price for each state over the latest 12 months of EIA Form 861M data: total residential revenue divided by total residential sales.
• Yearly cost = kWh a year × price per kWh. Monthly and 10-year figures simply divide or multiply that figure. We do not add inflation or price forecasts.
• The "typical" model is the median of all certified models in a category. The US average price is total residential revenue divided by total residential sales across all states and DC for the same 12 months.
• Gas dryers are left out because their main fuel is not electricity.

Limits

Test figures assume standard use. Real use depends on settings, room temperature, how often you use the appliance and the age of the unit. Your own price per kWh can differ from your state average because of your utility, plan and time of day. Check your bill.

Corrections

If a figure looks wrong, the model list or electricity data will be checked against the official source and any change dated in the change log. Nothing here is paid placement, and no payment is accepted to change, add or remove anything.

Sources

1. ENERGY STAR Certified Residential Refrigerators, US EPA, ENERGY STAR, checked 1 November 2026
2. ENERGY STAR Certified Residential Freezers, US EPA, ENERGY STAR, checked 1 November 2026
3. ENERGY STAR Certified Residential Clothes Washers, US EPA, ENERGY STAR, checked 1 November 2026
4. ENERGY STAR Certified Residential Clothes Dryers, US EPA, ENERGY STAR, checked 1 November 2026
5. ENERGY STAR Certified Residential Dishwashers, US EPA, ENERGY STAR, checked 1 November 2026
6. ENERGY STAR Certified Dehumidifiers, US EPA, ENERGY STAR, checked 1 November 2026
7. ENERGY STAR Certified Room Air Conditioners, US EPA, ENERGY STAR, checked 1 November 2026
8. Form EIA-861M, monthly electric power sales and revenue by state (residential), US Energy Information Administration, checked 1 November 2026

Data refreshed 1 November 2026.