🍳 Kitchen
How Much Does a Chest Freezer Cost to Run?
At the current U.S. average rate of 18.3¢/kWh (July 2026), a chest freezer costs about $12.02 per month at typical usage — 24 hours/day (always on).
Per hour
1.6¢
at 60–150 W
Per day
$0.40
24 hours/day (always on)
Per month
$12.02
66 kWh
Per year
$144
788 kWh
Chest freezers are the most efficient cold-storage design — cold air stays put when you open the lid. A modern 9 cu ft unit often costs less per month to run than a mini fridge, though old units from the 1990s can cost three times as much.
Calculate it for your home
Per hour
1.6¢
Per day
$0.40
Per month
$12.02
Per year
$144
Uses 66 kWh/month at 18.3¢ per kWh.
Cheapest and most expensive states
Monthly cost at typical usage, using each state's current average residential rate.
Cost in every state
| State | Rate (¢/kWh) | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 12.7 | 1.1¢ | $8.34 | $100 |
| Nevada | 12.8 | 1.2¢ | $8.40 | $101 |
| Utah | 13.1 | 1.2¢ | $8.60 | $103 |
| North Dakota | 13.4 | 1.2¢ | $8.80 | $106 |
| Idaho | 13.7 | 1.2¢ | $9.00 | $108 |
| Tennessee | 13.7 | 1.2¢ | $9.00 | $108 |
| Kentucky | 13.8 | 1.2¢ | $9.06 | $109 |
| Nebraska | 13.8 | 1.2¢ | $9.06 | $109 |
| Arkansas | 14.3 | 1.3¢ | $9.39 | $113 |
| Oklahoma | 14.4 | 1.3¢ | $9.46 | $114 |
| Wyoming | 14.4 | 1.3¢ | $9.46 | $114 |
| Mississippi | 14.5 | 1.3¢ | $9.52 | $114 |
| Washington | 14.7 | 1.3¢ | $9.65 | $116 |
| Florida | 15.0 | 1.4¢ | $9.85 | $118 |
| Montana | 15.0 | 1.4¢ | $9.85 | $118 |
| North Carolina | 15.2 | 1.4¢ | $9.98 | $120 |
| Kansas | 15.3 | 1.4¢ | $10.05 | $121 |
| Arizona | 15.4 | 1.4¢ | $10.11 | $121 |
| South Dakota | 15.4 | 1.4¢ | $10.11 | $121 |
| South Carolina | 15.5 | 1.4¢ | $10.18 | $122 |
| West Virginia | 15.8 | 1.4¢ | $10.37 | $125 |
| Texas | 15.9 | 1.4¢ | $10.44 | $125 |
| Iowa | 16.0 | 1.4¢ | $10.51 | $126 |
| Oregon | 16.0 | 1.4¢ | $10.51 | $126 |
| Missouri | 16.1 | 1.4¢ | $10.57 | $127 |
| New Mexico | 16.1 | 1.4¢ | $10.57 | $127 |
| Georgia | 16.3 | 1.5¢ | $10.70 | $129 |
| Alabama | 16.4 | 1.5¢ | $10.77 | $129 |
| Indiana | 16.7 | 1.5¢ | $10.97 | $132 |
| Colorado | 17.0 | 1.5¢ | $11.16 | $134 |
| Minnesota | 17.5 | 1.6¢ | $11.49 | $138 |
| Virginia | 17.6 | 1.6¢ | $11.56 | $139 |
| Delaware | 18.5 | 1.7¢ | $12.15 | $146 |
| Wisconsin | 19.1 | 1.7¢ | $12.54 | $151 |
| Illinois | 19.2 | 1.7¢ | $12.61 | $151 |
| Ohio | 19.5 | 1.8¢ | $12.80 | $154 |
| Maryland | 21.4 | 1.9¢ | $14.05 | $169 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.7 | 2.0¢ | $14.25 | $171 |
| Michigan | 23.1 | 2.1¢ | $15.17 | $182 |
| Vermont | 23.8 | 2.1¢ | $15.63 | $188 |
| Connecticut | 24.2 | 2.2¢ | $15.89 | $191 |
| Washington, D.C. | 25.2 | 2.3¢ | $16.55 | $199 |
| New Jersey | 25.2 | 2.3¢ | $16.55 | $199 |
| New Hampshire | 26.6 | 2.4¢ | $17.47 | $210 |
| Rhode Island | 28.3 | 2.5¢ | $18.58 | $223 |
| Alaska | 28.8 | 2.6¢ | $18.91 | $227 |
| New York | 29.9 | 2.7¢ | $19.63 | $236 |
| Massachusetts | 30.5 | 2.7¢ | $20.03 | $240 |
| Maine | 32.4 | 2.9¢ | $21.28 | $255 |
| California | 33.6 | 3.0¢ | $22.06 | $265 |
| Hawaii | 48.0 | 4.3¢ | $31.52 | $378 |
How to lower the cost
- Match the appliance to the portion: microwave and air fryer beat the big oven for anything small.
- Keep refrigerator coils clean and gaskets tight — it runs 24/7, so small inefficiencies compound.
- Run the dishwasher full and skip heated dry.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a chest freezer use?
A typical chest freezer draws about 90 watts in use. At 24 hours/day (always on), that works out to roughly 2.2 kWh per day, or 66 kWh per month.
How much does it cost to run a chest freezer for 1 hour?
At the current U.S. average residential rate of 18.3¢/kWh, one hour costs about 1.6¢. In Louisiana (12.7¢/kWh) it's 1.1¢, while in Hawaii (48¢/kWh) it's 4.3¢.
How much does a chest freezer cost to run per month?
With typical usage (24 hours/day (always on)), expect about $12.02 per month at the U.S. average rate — from $8.34 in Louisiana up to $31.52 in Hawaii. Rates are as of July 2026.
Does a chest freezer use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: roughly 7% of an average U.S. home's monthly consumption at typical usage. Noticeable, but not a bill-driver on its own.