U.S. residential electricity EIA data: July 2026 US average 18.3¢/kWh Updated
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Kitchen · California

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Chest Freezer in California?

The short answer

Running a chest freezer around the clock in California costs about $7.85 a month ($0.26 a day), based on a typical 80W unit using 0.77 kWh a day.

California’s average residential rate was 33.6¢ per kWh in July 2026 (EIA), 84% above the US average.

Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated

Chest Freezer cost by size and efficiency in California

Cost at 33.6¢/kWh, the California average (EIA, Jul 2026)
ModelkWh/monthPer dayPer monthPer year
Efficient (50W) 14.6 $0.16 $4.91 $58.88
Typical (80W) 23.4 $0.26 $7.85 $94.22
Older / large (150W) 43.8 $0.48 $14.72 $177

California vs other states

At typical use, a chest freezer costs $94.22 a year in California — $40.34 less than in Hawaii and $58.56 more than in Louisiana.

California has the 2nd-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. electricity prices in California · all states ranked

Electricity price trend in California

33.6¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +2.9% from a year earlier.

How to lower the cost of running a chest freezer

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.

  • 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 a chest freezer cost to run per year in California?

A typical 80W chest freezer uses about 280 kWh a year, which costs about $94.22 at California’s average rate of 33.6¢/kWh.

How many kWh does a chest freezer use per month?

At running 24/7, a typical chest freezer uses about 23.4 kWh a month. In California that costs $7.85.

Is it expensive to run a chest freezer in California?

California has the 2nd-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 33.6¢/kWh — one of the most expensive. Running a chest freezer here costs about $94.22 a year at typical use, compared with $51.33 at the national average rate.

What is the electricity rate in California right now?

The average residential electricity rate in California was 33.6¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 2.9% from a year earlier.

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.

Chest Freezer costs in nearby states

Cheapest and priciest states

Comparisons

Sources & method