Is a chest freezer expensive to run?

Keeping a chest freezer full and in a cool space (not a hot garage) reduces how often the compressor has to run. At typical use it adds about $12.03 to a monthly electric bill at the US-average rate, but that swings from $8.40 in the cheapest states to $31.29 in the most expensive.

How many watts does a chest freezer use?

Chest Freezer typically draws about 100 running watts. Because it has a motor or compressor, it briefly spikes to around 600 watts at startup, which matters for generator and breaker sizing but not for energy cost. Check the nameplate or label on your specific unit for its exact rating.

How much electricity (kWh) does a chest freezer use?

At typical use (100 W for 24 hours a day), a chest freezer uses about 2.4 kWh per day — roughly 73 kWh per month, or about 8% of what the average US home uses in a month (863 kWh). Energy used doesn't depend on your electricity rate — only the bill does.

How can I lower the cost of running a chest freezer?

Keeping a chest freezer full and in a cool space (not a hot garage) reduces how often the compressor has to run. You can also cut the cost by lowering your electricity rate — many utilities offer cheaper off-peak hours — or simply by running it fewer hours. The calculator on this page shows how changing hours per day or your electricity rate moves the number.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Chest Freezer?

A chest freezer is well-insulated and cycles infrequently, so despite running around the clock it's one of the cheaper always-on appliances. At the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh, running a chest freezer costs about $12.03/month ($144.36/year) at typical use. Adjust the watts, hours, and your rate below for your exact number.

Power (watts)

Hours per day: 24

Days per week: 7

Your state (sets the rate)

Electricity rate ($/kWh)

Cost to run a chest freezer

$144/yr

Per day: $0.40
Per month: $12.03
Energy per year: 876 kWh

Cost = power (kW) × hours × days × your rate. Defaults are typical values — enter your appliance's actual watts (often on a label) and your real rate for a precise figure.

How much electricity does a chest freezer use?

At 100 W for 24 hours a day, a chest freezer uses about 2.4 kWh per day — roughly 73 kWh per month and 876 kWh per year. That's about 8% of the 863 kWh the average US home uses in a month. Energy use is the same everywhere — only the price per kWh changes your bill.

Wondering about the circuit instead? See how many amps a chest freezer draws.

Cost to run a chest freezer by electricity rate

Same 100 W appliance, 24 h/day — the bill changes with where you live.

Scenario	Rate	Per month	Per year
Cheapest states (North Dakota)	11.5¢	$8.40	$100.83
US average	16.5¢	$12.03	$144.36
Most expensive (Hawaii)	42.9¢	$31.29	$375.45

Find your state's rate on the electricity rates by state page, or see the appliance wattage chart for more devices.

Frequently asked questions

At the US-average residential rate of 16.5¢/kWh, a chest freezer drawing 100 watts for about 24 hours a day costs roughly $0.40 per day, $12.03 per month, and $144.36 per year. Your actual cost depends on your electricity rate and how much you use it, and the calculator on this page adjusts for both.

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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Chest Freezer?

How much electricity does a chest freezer use?

Cost to run a chest freezer by electricity rate

Frequently asked questions