For consumers looking for an energy efficient refrigerator these days, the choices (thankfully) are numerous. It seems that just about every major appliance manufacturer has developed a model that is energy efficient enough to garner the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program seal of approval.
While the most popular refrigerator model in terms of sales is the side-by-side configuration, that is also the least efficient in terms of energy usage. Energy misers would be wise to choose a configuration that has the freezer on the bottom and the refrigerator on top, which happens to be the most energy-efficient fridge/freezer configuration available. While this variety – known simply as the bottom freezer model – often does not come with the ever-popular built-in ice maker, some models do include this amenity, and are large enough to accommodate the typical family.
Looking at the energy usage of bottom freezer models earning the Energy Star Tier 3 designation – the most efficient category – consumers have several options. These are some of the top energy efficient refrigerators, given the typical American’s choice of size and amenities:
LG Electronics Model LFD25870
This highly efficient unit boasts a comfortable 25 cubic feet of space and an ice maker. With annual energy usage rated at 476 kilowatt hours per year, this model comes in at 31 percent lower than the 687 kWh/year federal standard.
As an alternative, LG’s Model LFC25776 offers the same space, but lacks an ice maker. It has a four compartment crisper system, which gives easy access and numerous ways to organize fruits, vegetables and beverages. This energy efficient refrigerator also comes with two humidity-controlled crisper drawers, a full-width Glide-N-Serve drawer, and a bonus drawer for fruits and vegetables. Because it has no ice maker, this unit uses just 416 kWh/year, 30 percent below the federal standard of 596 kWh.
The LG Electronics Model LFC25776 Bottom Freezer Refrigerator is available via Amazon.com for $1,499.
Crosley Appliances Model CFD26WIS
This model offers slightly more space than the LG unit above, with 26.5 cubic feet. Also with an ice maker, this energy efficient refrigerator uses an average 487 kWh/year, coming in at 30 percent below the federal standard of 696 kWh/year. Among other features, it has cubed/crushed ice and water in the door, digital temperature display, dual-level incandescent bright lighting, a full width pantry drawer, two sliding half-width and one-fourth-width Spillsafe Shelves, two crispers with humidity control and two adjustable clear 2-gallon bins.
For those who can live without an ice maker, Crosley Models CFD26SDS and FGUN2642L each offer the same amount of space but use just 422 kWh/year, 30 percent lower than the 603 kWh/year standard.
Crosely appliances are sold through independent retailers and distributors. Click here to find one in your local area.
Electrolux Model EI27BS26J
This energy efficient refrigerator offers 26.5 cubic feet of space and includes an ice maker. It’s energy usage is 487 kWh/year, 30 percent lower than the 696 kWh/year standard. It includes such features as patented Luxury-Glide Drawers, which smoothly glide out and keep produce fresh with adjustable humidity control and minimal temperature variation; LED lighting; Cool Zone drawers that keep contents chilled – perfect for wine and beer or even snacks and juice boxes; and a tri-level freezer organization system features three Luxury-Glide baskets with removable/adjustable dividers and two removable baskets
For more energy savings, skip the ice maker and go with Electrolux Model FGUN2642L , which uses just 422 kWh/year. That’s 30 percent lower than the federal standard.
The Electrolux Model EI27BS26J Bottom Freezer Refrigerator is available via Amazon.com for $1,999.
Frigidaire Model FGUB2642
This unit offers 26.5 cubic feet of space while using 487 kWh/year, a 30 percent reduction from the 696 kWh/year standard. Features include Frigidaire’s patented SpaceWise Organization system, which makes it easy to keep food organized and easy to find when you need it; PureSource Ultra Water Filtration, which offers best-in-class water filtration so you get cleaner, better-tasting water at your fingertips; a large capacity full-width drawer; Effortless Glide crisper drawers that keep fruits and vegetables fresh; and Effortless Glide freezer drawers that glide out smoothly and fully extend, giving you easy access to what’s inside.
The Frigidaire FGUB2642L Bottom Freezer Refrigerator is available via Amazon.com for $1,749.
Note: Both Maytag and Whirlpool have garnered Tier 3 Energy Star designations for several models of bottom freezer units. However, these models are not yet available for sale. Maytag Models MFI2665XE and MFI2670XE will each provide 25.72 cubic feet of space, with an ice maker and annual energy usage of 481 kWh/year. Whirlpool Models GI6FARXX, GI6FDRXX and GI6SDRXX will each offer 25.72 cubic feet of space, with an ice maker and annual energy usage of 481 kWh/year, or 30 percent less than the federal standard.
