Large-capacity (~ 22 ft3) refrigerators that are freezer on top use about 600 kWh/yr while side by side refrigerator-freezers of the same capacity use about 660 kWh/yr. Each costs about $1000

What will be the total cost after 19 years? Which one should you buy? What considerations enter into your decision?


The net cost for the top freezer model over 19 years is
$1000.00 + (19 years) x (600 kWh/yr) x $0.10/kWh
= $1000.00 + (19 years) x $60.00/yr = $2140.00
The cost for the side-by-side freezer model is
$1000.00 + (19 years) x (660 kWh/yr) x $0.10/kWh
= $1000.00 + (19 years) x $66.00/yr = $2254.00
The difference is not especially large, just $114 . However, this top freezer model does save
money overall and is more energy-efficient.
Which model you buy depends somewhat on what is important to you as a consumer. Is it
more convenient to look through a top freezer or a side freezer? (I have always bought the
top freezer models. However, bottom freezers are even more energy-efficient, though much
harder to find because they are less ergonomic because you have to stoop or bend over to
go through the freezer.)

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