Kitchen · US average
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Chest Freezer?
The short answer
A typical 80W chest freezer uses about 0.77 kWh a day, which costs about $4.28 a month ($51.33 a year) at the US average electricity rate.
Based on the US average residential rate of 18.3¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026). Costs range from $2.97/month in Louisiana to $11.21/month in Hawaii — pick your state below for an exact figure.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Chest Freezer running cost at the US average rate
| Model | kWh/month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient (50W) | 14.6 | $0.09 | $2.67 | $32.08 |
| Typical (80W) | 23.4 | $0.14 | $4.28 | $51.33 |
| Older / large (150W) | 43.8 | $0.26 | $8.02 | $96.24 |
Cost to run a chest freezer in every state
At running 24/7 and each state’s average residential rate. Select a state for its full breakdown.
| Alabama | 16.4¢ | $0.13 | $3.83 | $45.97 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 28.8¢ | $0.22 | $6.74 | $80.82 |
| Arizona | 15.4¢ | $0.12 | $3.59 | $43.11 |
| Arkansas | 14.3¢ | $0.11 | $3.35 | $40.17 |
| California | 33.6¢ | $0.26 | $7.85 | $94.22 |
| Colorado | 17.0¢ | $0.13 | $3.97 | $47.65 |
| Connecticut | 24.2¢ | $0.19 | $5.64 | $67.73 |
| Delaware | 18.5¢ | $0.14 | $4.32 | $51.80 |
| District of Columbia | 25.2¢ | $0.19 | $5.89 | $70.67 |
| Florida | 15.0¢ | $0.12 | $3.51 | $42.13 |
| Georgia | 16.3¢ | $0.12 | $3.80 | $45.61 |
| Hawaii | 48.0¢ | $0.37 | $11.21 | $135 |
| Idaho | 13.7¢ | $0.11 | $3.21 | $38.49 |
| Illinois | 19.2¢ | $0.15 | $4.49 | $53.88 |
| Indiana | 16.7¢ | $0.13 | $3.91 | $46.90 |
| Iowa | 16.0¢ | $0.12 | $3.74 | $44.82 |
| Kansas | 15.3¢ | $0.12 | $3.57 | $42.80 |
| Kentucky | 13.8¢ | $0.11 | $3.23 | $38.71 |
| Louisiana | 12.7¢ | $0.10 | $2.97 | $35.66 |
| Maine | 32.4¢ | $0.25 | $7.57 | $90.85 |
| Maryland | 21.4¢ | $0.16 | $5.00 | $60.02 |
| Massachusetts | 30.5¢ | $0.23 | $7.12 | $85.47 |
| Michigan | 23.1¢ | $0.18 | $5.39 | $64.61 |
| Minnesota | 17.5¢ | $0.13 | $4.08 | $48.92 |
| Mississippi | 14.5¢ | $0.11 | $3.40 | $40.76 |
| Missouri | 16.1¢ | $0.12 | $3.76 | $45.10 |
| Montana | 15.0¢ | $0.12 | $3.50 | $42.02 |
| Nebraska | 13.8¢ | $0.11 | $3.22 | $38.63 |
| Nevada | 12.8¢ | $0.10 | $2.98 | $35.80 |
| New Hampshire | 26.6¢ | $0.20 | $6.21 | $74.57 |
| New Jersey | 25.2¢ | $0.19 | $5.89 | $70.61 |
| New Mexico | 16.1¢ | $0.12 | $3.76 | $45.10 |
| New York | 29.9¢ | $0.23 | $6.99 | $83.82 |
| North Carolina | 15.2¢ | $0.12 | $3.54 | $42.50 |
| North Dakota | 13.4¢ | $0.10 | $3.13 | $37.59 |
| Ohio | 19.5¢ | $0.15 | $4.54 | $54.52 |
| Oklahoma | 14.4¢ | $0.11 | $3.35 | $40.23 |
| Oregon | 16.0¢ | $0.12 | $3.73 | $44.77 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.7¢ | $0.17 | $5.07 | $60.89 |
| Rhode Island | 28.3¢ | $0.22 | $6.61 | $79.30 |
| South Carolina | 15.5¢ | $0.12 | $3.61 | $43.37 |
| South Dakota | 15.4¢ | $0.12 | $3.59 | $43.09 |
| Tennessee | 13.7¢ | $0.11 | $3.20 | $38.43 |
| Texas | 15.9¢ | $0.12 | $3.71 | $44.51 |
| Utah | 13.1¢ | $0.10 | $3.07 | $36.78 |
| Vermont | 23.8¢ | $0.18 | $5.55 | $66.58 |
| Virginia | 17.6¢ | $0.13 | $4.10 | $49.20 |
| Washington | 14.7¢ | $0.11 | $3.44 | $41.24 |
| West Virginia | 15.8¢ | $0.12 | $3.69 | $44.23 |
| Wisconsin | 19.1¢ | $0.15 | $4.45 | $53.43 |
| Wyoming | 14.4¢ | $0.11 | $3.35 | $40.25 |
How much electricity does a chest freezer use?
A chest freezer typically draws 50–150W while its compressor runs, and uses about 200–400 kWh a year.
Chest freezers are among the most efficient appliances per cubic foot because cold air sinks and stays inside when the lid opens. Like a refrigerator, the compressor cycles on and off — we assume about 40% of the time. Placement matters: a freezer in a hot garage runs much longer than one in a cool basement.
Ways to cut the cost
- Keep it in a cool spot away from the water heater, furnace and direct sun.
- A full freezer holds cold better — fill empty space with jugs of water.
- Defrost when ice builds up beyond a quarter inch.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a chest freezer per month?
At running 24/7, a typical chest freezer costs about $4.28 a month at the US average rate of 18.3¢/kWh. Depending on your state, the same usage costs between $2.97 and $11.21.
How many watts does a chest freezer use?
Chest freezers typically draw 50W–150W, with 80W a common figure. A chest freezer typically draws 50–150W while its compressor runs, and uses about 200–400 kWh a year.
Which state is cheapest to run a chest freezer in?
Louisiana is currently the cheapest at about $35.66 a year for typical use, and Hawaii the most expensive at about $135 a year.
Is a chest freezer cheaper to run than an upright freezer?
Usually yes. Chest freezers lose less cold air when opened and typically use 10–25% less electricity than upright freezers of the same size.
Related appliances
Comparisons
Sources & method
- Electricity rates: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly — average residential retail price, July 2026 (latest available). Retrieved .
- CO₂: EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024 emissions rate of in-state power generation.
- Formulas, duty cycles and limitations: methodology. Data download: open data (CC BY 4.0).