Appliances / Refrigerators / Café
Café CQE28DM*N*** family
27.4 cu ft · Bottom Freezer refrigerator
Check the price at the store, then add $1,694 of electricity to get the true cost. We may earn a commission if you buy through these links; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
- Price. Check what it costs at the store.
- Plus running cost. Add $1,694 of electricity over 12 years. That is the part the price tag hides.
- Compare. Pick your state below, then check the cheaper-to-run models of the same size.
About the Café CQE28DM*N*** family
The Café CQE28DM*N*** family is a 27.4 cu ft bottom freezer refrigerator certified by ENERGY STAR. Its official test figure is 776 kWh of electricity a year, which at the U.S. average price of 18.19¢ per kWh comes to $141 a year, or $1,694 over a typical 12-year life.
That is 4% less energy than the federal maximum for this type of fridge (812 kWh a year), a saving of about $7 a year compared with a model that only just meets the standard.
Among 1,422 bottom freezer models it ranks #1394 for running cost. The cheapest model of this type would save $1,257 in electricity over 12 years, though it may differ in size and features.
If you want the same type and a similar size for less to run, the Samsung RM80F23VM series uses 510 kWh a year and would save about $581 over 12 years.
Listed features: ice maker, door dispenser.
Cost to run where you live
776 kWh a year (ENERGY STAR test figure) × 18.19¢ per kWh, the average residential price in the U.S. for Jan–Aug 2026 (EIA). Your bill depends on your utility and how you use it.
Cheaper to run, same type and size
Or see every extra large (27 cu ft and up) model ranked.
| Samsung RM80F23VM series | 23.5 cu ft | $93/yr | saves $581 |
| LG LF25S6000 series | 25.1 cu ft | $97/yr | saves $526 |
| Samsung RF30BB6602 series | 30.1 cu ft | $99/yr | saves $504 |
| LG LF27NCH10 series | 26.5 cu ft | $100/yr | saves $495 |
Specs
| Brand | Café |
| Model | CQE28DM*N*** |
| Type | Bottom Freezer |
| Energy use | 776 kWh / year |
| Federal maximum for this type | 812 kWh / year |
| Size | 27.4 cu ft |
| Width | 35.8 in |
| Features | Ice maker, Door dispenser |
| Height | 69.9 in |
| Defrost | Automatic |
| Built-in | No |
| Compact | No |
Specs and energy use from the ENERGY STAR certified products list (U.S. EPA). An asterisk in a model number stands for colour or finish codes. HouseholdLeak is not affiliated with ENERGY STAR or the EPA.
Questions people ask
How much does the Café CQE28DM*N*** family cost to run?
About $141 a year at the U.S. average electricity price (18.19¢/kWh), based on its ENERGY STAR rating of 776 kWh a year. In a state with expensive power it can be much more; pick your state on this page to see your number.
How much will the Café CQE28DM*N*** family cost in electricity over its life?
About $1,694 over 12 years, a typical life for a refrigerator. Add that to the price you pay to get the true cost to own.
Is the Café CQE28DM*N*** family energy efficient?
Yes. It is ENERGY STAR certified and uses 4% less energy than the federal maximum for its type.
Is there a cheaper fridge to run of the same type and size?
Yes. The Samsung RM80F23VM series uses 510 kWh a year, about $581 less in electricity over 12 years.
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