🍳 Kitchen
How Much Does a Chest Freezer Cost to Run?
At the current U.S. average rate of 18.8¢/kWh (April 2026), a chest freezer costs about $12.34 per month at typical usage — 24 hours/day (always on).
Per hour
1.7¢
at 60–150 W
Per day
$0.41
24 hours/day (always on)
Per month
$12.34
66 kWh
Per year
$148
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
1.7¢
Per day
$0.41
Per month
$12.34
Per year
$148
Uses 66 kWh/month at 18.8¢ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.4 | 1.1¢ | $8.14 | $97.76 |
| Idaho | 12.7 | 1.1¢ | $8.34 | $100 |
| Nebraska | 13.3 | 1.2¢ | $8.73 | $105 |
| Oklahoma | 13.3 | 1.2¢ | $8.73 | $105 |
| Utah | 13.3 | 1.2¢ | $8.73 | $105 |
| Iowa | 13.9 | 1.3¢ | $9.13 | $110 |
| Montana | 13.9 | 1.3¢ | $9.13 | $110 |
| Missouri | 14.0 | 1.3¢ | $9.19 | $110 |
| Arkansas | 14.2 | 1.3¢ | $9.32 | $112 |
| Nevada | 14.3 | 1.3¢ | $9.39 | $113 |
| Louisiana | 14.4 | 1.3¢ | $9.46 | $114 |
| Washington | 14.4 | 1.3¢ | $9.46 | $114 |
| South Dakota | 14.5 | 1.3¢ | $9.52 | $114 |
| Wyoming | 14.7 | 1.3¢ | $9.65 | $116 |
| Tennessee | 14.9 | 1.3¢ | $9.78 | $117 |
| Kentucky | 15.0 | 1.4¢ | $9.85 | $118 |
| New Mexico | 15.2 | 1.4¢ | $9.98 | $120 |
| Florida | 15.4 | 1.4¢ | $10.11 | $121 |
| Georgia | 15.4 | 1.4¢ | $10.11 | $121 |
| Arizona | 15.5 | 1.4¢ | $10.18 | $122 |
| Kansas | 15.8 | 1.4¢ | $10.37 | $125 |
| Oregon | 15.8 | 1.4¢ | $10.37 | $125 |
| West Virginia | 16.1 | 1.4¢ | $10.57 | $127 |
| North Carolina | 16.3 | 1.5¢ | $10.70 | $129 |
| Minnesota | 16.4 | 1.5¢ | $10.77 | $129 |
| Colorado | 16.5 | 1.5¢ | $10.83 | $130 |
| Mississippi | 16.8 | 1.5¢ | $11.03 | $132 |
| Texas | 17.0 | 1.5¢ | $11.16 | $134 |
| South Carolina | 17.1 | 1.5¢ | $11.23 | $135 |
| Alabama | 17.4 | 1.6¢ | $11.43 | $137 |
| Virginia | 17.4 | 1.6¢ | $11.43 | $137 |
| Indiana | 17.9 | 1.6¢ | $11.75 | $141 |
| Delaware | 18.8 | 1.7¢ | $12.34 | $148 |
| Wisconsin | 19.2 | 1.7¢ | $12.61 | $151 |
| Ohio | 19.5 | 1.8¢ | $12.80 | $154 |
| Illinois | 20.5 | 1.8¢ | $13.46 | $162 |
| Michigan | 21.4 | 1.9¢ | $14.05 | $169 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.5 | 1.9¢ | $14.12 | $170 |
| Maryland | 22.1 | 2.0¢ | $14.51 | $174 |
| New Jersey | 23.5 | 2.1¢ | $15.43 | $185 |
| Vermont | 24.6 | 2.2¢ | $16.15 | $194 |
| Washington, D.C. | 25.4 | 2.3¢ | $16.68 | $200 |
| New Hampshire | 27.2 | 2.4¢ | $17.86 | $214 |
| Alaska | 27.4 | 2.5¢ | $17.99 | $216 |
| Rhode Island | 28.3 | 2.5¢ | $18.58 | $223 |
| Maine | 28.4 | 2.6¢ | $18.65 | $224 |
| Massachusetts | 29.5 | 2.7¢ | $19.37 | $233 |
| New York | 29.5 | 2.7¢ | $19.37 | $233 |
| Connecticut | 32.2 | 2.9¢ | $21.14 | $254 |
| California | 35.3 | 3.2¢ | $23.18 | $278 |
| Hawaii | 46.6 | 4.2¢ | $30.60 | $367 |
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 18.8¢/kWh, one hour costs about 1.7¢. In North Dakota (12.4¢/kWh) it's 1.1¢, while in Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh) it's 4.2¢.
How much does a chest freezer cost to run per month?
With typical usage (24 hours/day (always on)), expect about $12.34 per month at the U.S. average rate — from $8.14 in North Dakota up to $30.60 in Hawaii. Rates are as of April 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.