How much does it cost to run a freezer?

A freezer certified by ENERGY STAR costs about $25 to $120 a year to run at the US average residential electricity rate of $0.1856/kWh, based on 622 models we track. The class median is $75/yr. The cheapest to run is the Avanti CF24Q0W at about $25/yr, while the priciest models in the class run closer to $120/yr. Running cost in this class is driven mostly by interior volume, insulation, and whether it self-defrosts, covered in detail below.

What it costs

Across the 622 ENERGY STAR certified freezer models we track, annual running cost ranges from $25/yr to $120/yr, with a class median of $75/yr, all computed at the US average residential rate of $0.1856/kWh. That is a spread of $95 a year between the cheapest and priciest model we track, which over a typical decade-long appliance life is $950 of difference before the purchase price even enters the math.

What drives the running cost

Standalone freezers behave much like refrigerators, but a few factors matter more given how they are used:

• Interior volume. As with refrigerators, more cubic feet of frozen storage generally means a bigger compressor and a higher annual energy figure.
• Chest vs. upright. Chest freezers open from the top, so cold air (which sinks) stays inside when the lid opens; upright freezers lose more cold air every time the door opens, which can mean a somewhat higher running cost for a similar capacity.
• Insulation quality. Better-insulated cabinets lose less cold to the surrounding room, so the compressor cycles on less often to hold temperature.
• Defrost type. Frost-free (automatic-defrost) freezers run a periodic heating element to clear ice buildup, which uses more energy than a manual-defrost freezer, though manual models require you to defrost them by hand periodically to stay efficient.

How to lower it

• Keep the freezer reasonably full; frozen contents hold cold better than empty air space, so the compressor cycles less often.
• Check the door or lid seal periodically, especially on older units, since a weak seal is a continuous, hidden energy drain.
• If you have a manual-defrost model, defrost it before ice buildup gets thick; a heavy layer of frost acts as insulation between the cooling coils and the food, forcing the compressor to run longer.
• Locate the freezer away from direct sun, a furnace, or other heat sources, and leave clearance around it for the compressor to vent heat.

The cheapest freezer to run

These are the five cheapest freezer models to run among the ones we track, ranked by estimated dollars per year. See the full leaderboard for all 150 ranked.

Calculate your own

These figures assume the US average electricity rate. If your local rate is higher or lower, or you want to check a specific model's real annual kWh, use the running-cost calculator to swap in your own rate and see the yearly cost update live.