How Much Does It Cost to Run a Chest Freezer Per Month?

Chest freezers are designed to run efficiently over long periods of time. Even though they stay powered on 24 hours a day, their energy usage is often lower than people expect. Below is a breakdown of what it actually costs to run a chest freezer per month using real energy usage data and straightforward electricity math.

How chest freezer electricity usage is measured

Like refrigerators, chest freezers are rated in kilowatt-hours per year (kWh/year). This number reflects:

• Compressor cycling

• Insulation efficiency

• Normal door openings

• Continuous operation

Because cold air stays inside when the lid is opened, chest freezers tend to be more efficient than upright freezers.

Typical chest freezer energy usage

Most residential chest freezers fall into these ranges:

• Small chest freezer (5–9 cubic feet):
  ~200–300 kWh per year

• Medium chest freezer (10–15 cubic feet):
  ~300–400 kWh per year

• Large chest freezer (16–20+ cubic feet):
  ~400–500 kWh per year

These figures reflect average real-world usage, not peak power draw.

Electricity rate used for calculations

To keep the math clear and consistent, the examples below use:

• $0.20 per kWh

Your actual electric rate may be higher or lower, but the usage math remains the same.

Monthly cost to run a chest freezer

Small chest freezer (250 kWh per year)

• 250 ÷ 12 = ~21 kWh per month

• 21 × $0.20 = $4.20 per month

Medium chest freezer (350 kWh per year)

• 350 ÷ 12 = ~29 kWh per month

• 29 × $0.20 = $5.80 per month

Large chest freezer (450 kWh per year)

• 450 ÷ 12 = ~38 kWh per month

• 38 × $0.20 = $7.60 per month

Yearly cost perspective

Looking at the same numbers annually:

• Small chest freezer: $50 per year

• Medium chest freezer: $70 per year

• Large chest freezer: $90 per year

Even larger chest freezers usually cost less to run than many people expect.

What affects chest freezer electricity cost

Several factors influence where a freezer falls within these ranges:

• Size and storage capacity

• Age and insulation quality

• Room temperature (garage vs basement)

• How often the lid is opened

However, chest freezers are generally efficient because they retain cold air better than upright models.

Chest freezer vs refrigerator electricity cost

Chest freezers typically use less electricity than a full-size refrigerator, even though both run continuously.

For comparison:

• Many modern refrigerators cost $7–$9 per month to run

• Most chest freezers cost $4–$8 per month

This makes chest freezers a relatively low ongoing cost for long-term food storage.

For a detailed breakdown of refrigerator electricity costs, see How much does it cost to run a refrigerator per month?

If you’re deciding between freezer types, we compare chest and upright freezer electricity costs here: Upright freezer vs chest freezer: which costs more to run?

The bottom line

Most chest freezers cost $4–$8 per month to run, depending on size and efficiency. Despite running 24 hours a day, they are among the more energy-efficient appliances in a home. Looking at yearly energy usage provides a clearer picture than focusing on constant operation alone.