Field notes · General owner reference
Turn an energy rating into a useful estimate.
Keep annual energy, operating power, and your electricity price separate.
Use the right quantity
Annual energy is recorded in kilowatt-hours per year. Operating power is recorded in watts. They describe different quantities. Do not use either one to infer a required branch circuit; that comes from the applicable installation document or rating information.
Make your assumptions visible
For an annual electricity estimate, multiply the recorded kWh/year by your electricity price per kWh. At 728 kWh/year and $0.20/kWh, the estimate is $145.60 per year. This arithmetic excludes fixed charges and differences between the test conditions and your actual use.
Compare like with like
Keep market, rating method, and test conditions alongside the value. A certification measurement is useful evidence, but not a guarantee of the bill in a particular home. Historical ratings may follow earlier test methods.
Sources & further reading
ENERGY STAR refrigerator ratings
These general guides do not establish exact-model repair or installation procedures. Use the applicable manufacturer documents for your product.