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What is ClearCost and how is the default ClearCost calculated?

ClearCost is an estimate designed to help you understand and compare the expected total cost of a product. The default ClearCost shown is an average figure based on the following assumptions:

  1. Retail price — Updated daily using the lowest available retail price for each model. Because retail prices fluctuate frequently, ClearCost may change from day to day.

  2. Usage — Assumes you will use the appliance for the same amount of time and at the same settings as a typical US household.

  3. Electricity rate — Assumes you pay the average US electricity tariff as set by the US Department of Energy, and that this rate remains consistent over the appliance's lifetime.

  4. Time horizon — The period over which running costs are calculated varies by product category, based on typical useful lifetimes. For example, a 5-year period is used for TVs, while major appliances use a 15-year horizon. These estimates are based on recognized third-party data on typical repurchasing frequencies.

All third-party inputs used to calculate ClearCost — such as retail prices and electricity tariffs — are sourced from recognized data providers and updated regularly to keep figures as accurate as possible.