Appliance Recycling

How To Participate

The average consumer saves about $180 over the life of their new refrigerator when they replace it with an ENERGY STAR® model and participate in our recycling program.

If you have questions about this program, call 866.796.0512 or send us an email at energy_saving@dteenergy.com

Here are the program requirements:

  • The refrigerator or freezer must be clean, empty, defrosted and in working condition.
  • The large appliance must meet the size requirement—10 to 30 cubic feet. Learn more about size requirements below.
  • Now through March 31, 2020, add a small fridge or freezer pickup (under 9.9 cubic feet) with your large appliance. (Dormitory refrigerators do not meet the size requirement).
  • You must be a current DTE Residential Electric customer.
  • An adult, 18 years or older, must be present to sign and release the unit at pickup time.
  • The unit needs to be plugged in and running on the day of the pickup.
  • The appliance you’d like to recycle must be disconnected from water lines prior to the pickup crew's arrival.
  • You must provide clear, safe access to your appliances. The removal team will not risk injury, move personal effects or modify your home (e.g. remove door or railings) to remove the unit(s).
  • We require that all pets are kept in an enclosed area during the appliance pickup.
  • Your small fridge or freezer, dehumidifier or air conditioner must be picked up at the same time as your refrigerator or freezer. The units must be in working condition.
  • Maximum two (2) visits per customer site in a calendar year. Each visit is limited to two large appliances (refrigerator and/or freezer) and two small appliances (small fridge, freezer, room air conditioner and dehumidifier).

How to measure your appliance
The appliance must meet our 10 to 30 cubic feet size requirement. Measure the width, height and depth from the inside with the doors open for each compartment (if more than one). Multiply width by depth by height (W x D x H) to calculate cubic inches. Divide the cubic inches by 1,728 to find the total cubic feet.

Example:
29-inch width, 29-inch depth and 60 inch height = 29 X 29 X 60 = 50,460 cubic inches.
50,460 ÷ 1,728 = 29.20 cubic feet.

Old Refrigerator Energy Cost
Year built
1980 or earlier
1981 - 1989
1990 - 1992
1993 - 2000
2001 - 2008
Refrigerator size (Cu. Ft.)
cost per year
cost per year
cost per year
cost per year
cost per year
Below 16.5
$228
$157
$118
$79
$51
16.5 to 18.9
$229
$176
$133
$89
$56
19.0 to 21.4
$246
$190
$143
$95
$60
21.5 to 24.4
$261
$201
$151
$100
$63
24.5 and above
$294
$227
$170
$115
$69
ENERGY STAR® Refrigerators

1980 or older refrigerator

Refrigerator Size (cubic foot)
1980 or older cost per year
ENERGY STAR model - cost per year
Energy Savings over 5 years
Below 16.5
$228
$39
$945
16.5 to 18.9
$229
$43
$930
19.0 to 21.4
$246
$45
$1,005
21.5 to 24.4
$261
$48
$1,065
24.5 and above
$294
$53
$1,230

1981 - 1989 refrigerator

Refrigerator Size (cubic foot)
1981 - 1989 cost per year
ENERGY STAR model - cost per year
Energy Savings over 5 years
Below 16.5
$157
$39
$590
16.5 to 18.9
$176
$43
$665
19.0 to 21.4
$190
$45
$725
21.5 to 24.4
$201
$48
$765
24.5 and above
$227
$53
$870

1990 to 1992 refrigerator

Refrigerator Size (cubic foot)
1990 to 1992 cost per year
ENERGY STAR model - cost per year
Energy Savings over 5 years
Below 16.5
$118
$39
$395
16.5 to 18.9
$133
$43
$450
19.0 to 21.4
$143
$45
$490
21.5 to 24.4
$151
$48
$515
24.5 and above
$170
$53
$585

1993 to 2000 refrigerator

Refrigerator Size (cubic foot)
1993 to 2000 cost per year
ENERGY STAR model - cost per year
Energy Savings over 5 years
Below 16.5
$79
$39
$200
16.5 to 18.9
$89
$43
$230
19.0 to 21.4
$95
$45
$250
21.5 to 24.4
$100
$48
$260
24.5 and above
$115
$53
$310

2001 to 2008 refrigerator

Refrigerator Size (cubic foot)
2001 to 2008 cost per year
ENERGY STAR model - cost per year
Energy Savings over 5 years
Below 16.5
$51
$39
$60
16.5 to 18.9
$56
$43
$65
19.0 to 21.4
$60
$45
$75
21.5 to 24.4
$63
$48
$75
24.5 and above
$69
$53
$80