The results from the energy test procedure for refrigerators are used by consumers, utility forecasters, and policymakers. The laboratory test procedure has not been field-validated for at least 15 years in spite of significant improvements in refrigerator energy efficiency. The field energy use of 327 refrigerators was compared to the test values (or "labels"). The laboratory test overestimated the typical refrigerator’s annual field use by about 3 The peak consumption is also important for forecasting; the laboratory test (adjusted to monthly use) was about % lower than the peak monthly usage. Post-1982 refrigerators used about 17 percent less annual energy than their labels.

Units: SI