How we compile appliance energy use and operating cost
We build one honest table per appliance category from U.S. government open data — measured energy use from ENERGY STAR, and a computed operating cost at the national-average electricity rate — and we tell you exactly where a number is an estimate. This page explains how, and what we deliberately do not do.
Who’s behind this site
Appliance Cost Guide is an independent publisher operated by VentureCorp, Inc. We are not an appliance retailer, a manufacturer, an installer, or a utility, and we do not accept payment to change a spec, an efficiency figure, or a cost estimate. The site answers one question on the same basis for every model: how much energy does it use, and what would that cost to run?
Where our data comes from
| Data | Source | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Appliance energy use, capacity & dimensions | U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR certified-product lists (data.energystar.gov, Socrata open data) — factual product specifications, public government data | Every per-model and per-category page |
| Electricity rate (the cost factor) | U.S. EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A — national-average residential price (18.56 ¢/kWh, March 2026), a U.S. federal public-domain figure | Every operating-cost estimate |
Operating cost is computed, not sourced. None of the ENERGY STAR datasets publish a dollar figure; we compute annual operating cost as a model's measured annual energy use multiplied by the EIA national-average residential rate. It is an estimate for comparison on a consistent basis — your real cost depends on your local utility rate and how you use the appliance. Gas/propane models carry no electricity-based cost.
How we calculate
Each model is taken from its ENERGY STAR category list with its measured annual energy use, capacity and dimensions. Operating cost = annual kWh × the EIA national-average residential rate. Category medians, minimums and maximums are computed across the models in each category. Everything is re-pulled quarterly as products are certified or de-listed, and the rate factor is refreshed monthly.
What we deliberately leave out. This is a NON-YMYL spec-and-cost site: we carry no repair-safety, electrical-code, installation, financing or warranty content. We also name no single “best” brand and rank only by the energy figures we can measure on the same basis — never for payment.
Independence & how we make money
Some links on this site may be affiliate links to appliance retailers; if you act on one we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Partners never see or influence which specs, energy figures or cost estimates we publish, and no placement is for sale.
Keeping it current
ENERGY STAR lists update as products are certified or de-listed and electricity rates move monthly, so we re-pull the certified lists quarterly and refresh the rate factor monthly. Each page carries its verification date; current verification: June 2026.
Corrections
Spot an error? Tell us and we’ll fix it. Contact us →