What to Look For:

Your refrigerator is probably the most power-hungry appliance in your house, and you'll save money and energy by replacing any model made before 2001. Even post-2001 models may not be as efficient as a new model; use Energy Star's refrigerator calculator to compare how much energy your fridge uses with the energy used by our Product Picks.

Energy Star:The most efficient machines are Energy Star rated and use at least 20 percent less energy than federal standards.

Top-freezer models:These are the most energy-efficient and repair-free of the configurations offered, followed by bottom-freezer models. Side-by-side refrigerator/freezers are often more convenient, but they're more likely to need repair and can use roughly 7 to 13 percent more energy than top-freezer models. Automatic icemakers increase energy use by 14 to 20 percent.

Capacity:Buy a refrigerator that will accommodate everything, rather than buying a new one while keeping your old fridge to store overflow. A typical 1990 model refrigerator costs about $75 per year to run, and releases over 1,200 pounds of CO2 each year; it's much more economical and eco-minded to store all your food in a single refrigerator.