Chilling numbers on fridge efficiency.(LAB TESTS)(refrigerators)(Product/service evaluation)

Refrigerators aren't the energy hogs they once were, but our tests of 66 models found big differences in energy consumption.

The A1 Whirlpool top-freezer is among the most efficient we've tested and helps raise the bar for the other models. We also found that some French-door refrigerators use significantly more electricity than you would expect based on their EnergyGuide labels. (See Close Up below.)

The Select Ratings highlight refrigerators that deliver high performance, reliability, and energy efficiency. We've added the estimated annual operating cost, based on a national average of 10.8 cents per kilowatt-hour and on our own tests, which use more realistic temperature settings than EnergyCuide. Here's what else our testing found:

Top-freezers are usually the most energy-efficient and offer abundant storage space for their size.The usual width ranges from 30 to 33 inthes, so they're ideal for narrower spaces, but you'll need clearance for the wide-swinging doors. The A1 Whirlpool and A2 Kenmore combine excellent energy efficiency with impressive temperature performance.

Bottom-freezers keep items within easy reach. An in-door water/ice dispenser is available on some. French-door models have split doors on top and one or two freezer drawers. They are available in 30- to 36-inch widths. It's easy to find a ...