Upfront Costs vs. Ongoing Operational Costs

Up front costs are certainly a consideration, but refrigerator back end costs can be significant, considering its rank as top energy consumer in your home, as we noted previously.

Make sure you get an Energy Star compliant fridge, and look for potential utility rebates. These appliances do Federal standards 20% better. If your current refrigerator is no longer a teenager, look to replace it with a new more efficient model.