Appliances / Refrigerators / TCL

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Top FreezerENERGY STAR certified

TCL TRT18T4**-** family

17.6 cu ft · Top Freezer refrigerator

Electricity, 12 years
$786
Per year
$65

Check the price at the store, then add $786 of electricity to get the true cost. We may earn a commission if you buy through these links.

  1. Price. Check what it costs at the store.
  2. Plus running cost. Add $786 of electricity over 12 years. That is the part the price tag hides.
  3. Compare. Pick your state below, then check the cheaper-to-run models of the same size.
Per year (U.S. avg)
$65
Over 12 years
$786
Saves vs the federal maximum
$8/yr
Rank for running cost
#238 of 604

About the TCL TRT18T4**-** family

The TCL TRT18T4**-** family is a 17.6 cu ft top freezer refrigerator certified by ENERGY STAR. Its official test figure is 360 kWh of electricity a year, which at the U.S. average price of 18.19¢ per kWh comes to $65 a year, or $786 over a typical 12-year life.

That is 10% less energy than the federal maximum for this type of fridge (402 kWh a year), a saving of about $8 a year compared with a model that only just meets the standard.

Among 604 top freezer models it ranks #238 for running cost. The cheapest model of this type would save $474 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 RT18DG6300 series uses 333 kWh a year and would save about $59 over 12 years.

Cost to run where you live

Electricity per year
$65
Electricity over 12 years
$786
Add the price you pay
+ $786

360 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 small (10 to 18 cu ft) model ranked.

Samsung RT18DG6300 series17.5 cu ft$61/yrsaves $59
Hisense BCD-418WP4NA1/HC1(H)15 cu ft$61/yrsaves $48
Hisense RT15A2CCE15 cu ft$61/yrsaves $48
Samsung RT18DG6500 series (no ice maker)17.5 cu ft$62/yrsaves $37

Specs

BrandTCL
ModelTRT18T4**-**
TypeTop Freezer
Energy use360 kWh / year
Federal maximum for this type402 kWh / year
Size17.6 cu ft
Width27.7 in
Height66.9 in
DefrostAutomatic
Built-inNo
CompactNo

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 TCL TRT18T4**-** family cost to run?

About $65 a year at the U.S. average electricity price (18.19¢/kWh), based on its ENERGY STAR rating of 360 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 TCL TRT18T4**-** family cost in electricity over its life?

About $786 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 TCL TRT18T4**-** family energy efficient?

Yes. It is ENERGY STAR certified and uses 10% 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 RT18DG6300 series uses 333 kWh a year, about $59 less in electricity over 12 years.

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