Residential Refrigerators and Freezers

Recent Updates

Current Standard

Residential refrigerators and freezers manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6291(16), on or after July 1, 2001 until September 15, 2014 must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations, 10 CFR 430.32(a). This information is also available in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.

AV: Adjusted Volume in ft3; av: Adjusted Volume in liters (L)

* Some models in this product class have been granted exception relief by the DOE Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) and have different applicable energy conservation standards than the ones shown in this table. Information on cases in which manufacturers have been granted relief is available on the OHA website at http://energy.gov/oha/product-efficiency-cases

In the table above the energy standards are determined by multiplying the maximum energy use allowed measured in kWh/year by the sum of the adjusted volume (AV) plus the second number in the following table. The product should be rounded off to the nearest kWh per year. If the calculation is halfway between the nearest two kWh per year values, round it up to the higher of these values.

• Final Rule: Standards, Federal Register, 62 FR 23102 (April 28, 1997)

For further guidance or to submit questions related to the implementation of this standard, visit the Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions page.

Amended Standard

On September 15, 2011, amended standards were issued for residential refrigerators and freezers. The full text of the amended standard is available in the Code of Federal Regulations, 10 CFR 430.32(a). It is also in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. On September 15, 2014, these amended standards will establish new energy conservation standards for residential refrigerators and freezers, as summarized in the table below. (Note: the printed CFR states a compliance date of September 14, 2014. That is a printing error.)

AV= adjusted volume in cubic feet; av = adjusted volume in liters

In the table above the energy standards are determined by multiplying the maximum energy use allowed measured in kWh/year by the sum of the adjusted volume (AV) plus the second number in the following table. The product should be rounded off to the nearest kWh per year. If the calculation is halfway between the nearest two kWh per year values, round it up to the higher of these values.

• Final Rule: Standards, Federal Register, 76 FR 57516 (Sept. 15, 2011)
• Technical Support Document
• Docket No. EERE-2008-BT-STD-0012

After a regulatory action has been completed, Executive Order 12866 requires agencies to identify the substantive changes between the draft submitted to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review and the action subsequently announced, and to identify those changes made at the suggestion or recommendation of OIRA. The document below provides more information:

• Direct Final rule submitted to OMB on March 4, 2011 COMPARE with notice concluded on April 8, 2011

Current Test Procedure

To determine compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedures specified at 10 CFR 430.23(a) and Appendix A1 for residential refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers, and for freezers at 10 CFR 430.23(b) and Appendix B1. These test procedures must be followed as of June 14, 2011. Beginning on September 14, 2014, manufacturers must use Appendix A for residential refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers, and Appendix B for freezers. These are also in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.

DOE most recently amended Appendix A1 and Appendix B1 in the following rulemaking:

• Final Rule: Test Procedures, Federal Register, 77 FR 3559 (Jan. 25, 2012)
• Final Rule and Interim Final Rule: Test Procedures, Federal Register, 75 FR 78810 (Dec. 16, 2010)
• Docket No. EERE-2009-BT-TP-0003 contains notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents.

DOE most recently amended Appendix A and Appendix B in the following rulemaking:

• Final Rule: Test Procedures, Federal Register, 79 FR 22319 (April 21, 2014)
• Docket No. EERE-2012-BT-TP-0016 contains notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents.

For further guidance or to submit questions related to the implementation of this test procedure, visit the Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions page.

Helpful Links

Find tips and guidance for making your home, workplace, or vehicle more energy efficient visit EnergySavers.gov.

DOE supports the testing and verification of ENERGY STAR^® products in close collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency. ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators are 20% more energy efficient than the minimum federal standard.