Chest freezer vs. upright freezer: running cost
A chest freezer is cheaper to run: about $45 a year versus $81 for an upright freezer at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $36 difference.
| Chest freezer | Upright freezer | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 100 W | 150 W |
| Watt range | 60–200 W | 90–250 W |
| Typical use | 250 kWh a year | 450 kWh a year |
| Energy per year | 250 kWh | 450 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 0.5¢ | 0.9¢ |
| Cost per day | 12¢ | 22¢ |
| Cost per month | $3.75 | $6.75 |
| Cost per year | $45 | $81 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $109 | $196 |
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What drives the difference
- Chest freezer: A new manual-defrost 7 cu ft chest freezer uses about 200-250 kWh a year; 15-20 cu ft models use 300-400 kWh. Chest freezers lose less cold air when opened than uprights.
- Upright freezer: Frost-free upright freezers of 13-21 cu ft typically use 400-650 kWh a year because the auto-defrost heater runs several times a day; manual-defrost uprights use about 30% less.
Ways to cut either cost
ENERGY STAR freezers are at least 10% more efficient than the federal standard.
See options on AmazonLets you run at exactly 0°F and alerts you if the lid is left ajar.
See options on AmazonChest freezers are typically 20-40% more efficient than frost-free uprights of equal capacity.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a chest freezer or an upright freezer?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an upright freezer costs about $81 a year versus $45 for a chest freezer. That's $36 more, or 1.8× as much.
How many watts do chest freezer and upright freezer use?
A chest freezer typically draws 100 W (range 60–200 W). An upright freezer draws 150 W (range 90–250 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.