Upright Freezer vs Chest Freezer: Which Costs More to Run?
Upright and chest freezers serve the same purpose, but they use electricity differently. While both run continuously, their design affects how much energy they consume over time. Below is a factual comparison of upright and chest freezer electricity costs using real annual energy usage data.
Key design difference that affects energy use
The biggest difference between upright and chest freezers is how cold air behaves when the door is opened.
In a chest freezer, cold air stays inside when the lid is lifted
In an upright freezer, cold air spills out when the door is opened
This design difference directly affects how often the compressor has to run.
Typical annual energy usage
Most residential freezers fall into the following ranges.
Chest freezer energy usage
Small to medium models: 200–350 kWh per year
Large models: 400–500 kWh per year
Upright freezer energy usage
Small to medium models: 400–600 kWh per year
Large models: 600–800 kWh per year
These figures reflect average real-world usage, not peak power draw.
Electricity rate used for comparison
To keep the comparison consistent, the calculations below use:
$0.20 per kWh
Your actual electric rate may vary, but the relative difference remains similar.
Monthly cost comparison
Chest freezer
Medium chest freezer (350 kWh per year)
350 ÷ 12 = ~29 kWh per month
29 × $0.20 = $5.80 per month
Upright freezer
Medium upright freezer (550 kWh per year)
550 ÷ 12 = ~46 kWh per month
46 × $0.20 = $9.20 per month
Yearly cost comparison
Looking at annual cost:
Chest freezer: ~$70 per year
Upright freezer: ~$110 per year
The upright freezer typically costs $30–$50 more per year to operate.
Why upright freezers use more electricity
Upright freezers generally consume more electricity because:
Cold air escapes every time the door is opened
Compressors cycle more often to recover temperature
They often include features like auto-defrost and fans
These features add convenience but increase energy usage.
When an upright freezer may still make sense
Despite higher energy use, upright freezers are often chosen because:
Shelving makes items easier to organize
Food is easier to access
They take up less floor space in some layouts
The added electricity cost is usually modest on a monthly basis.
When a chest freezer is usually the lower-cost option
Chest freezers tend to be the better choice when:
Long-term energy efficiency matters most
The freezer is opened infrequently
Storage capacity is the priority over organization
Over many years, the energy savings can add up.
For a detailed breakdown of chest freezer electricity costs by size, see How much does it cost to run a chest freezer per month?
We also break down the standalone cost of running an upright freezer here: How much does it cost to run an upright freezer per month?
The bottom line
Chest freezers are generally cheaper to run than upright freezers due to better cold-air retention and simpler design. Most chest freezers cost $4–$8 per month, while upright freezers typically cost $8–$12 per month depending on size and efficiency. The difference is usually small month to month but becomes more noticeable over time.