How much does it cost to run a countertop ice maker?
A countertop ice maker costs about 2.0¢ per hour, 16¢ a day, $4.93 a month and $59 a year at typical use (8 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Portable ice makers draw 100-150 W (nugget models like the Opal up to about 200 W) and run nearly continuously while making ice. They don't freeze-hold, so ice melts and gets remade.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.13 | 2.4¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| 2 hours | 0.24 | 4.4¢ | $1.33 | $16 |
| 4 hours | 0.46 | 8.3¢ | $2.53 | $30 |
| 8 hours | 0.90 | 16¢ | $4.93 | $59 |
| 12 hours | 1.34 | 24¢ | $7.33 | $88 |
| 24 hours | 2.65 | 48¢ | $14.52 | $174 |
Cost to run a countertop ice maker in every state
The same countertop ice maker costs $40 a year in North Dakota and $143 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 1.4¢ | $3.37 | $40 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 1.4¢ | $3.47 | $42 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 1.4¢ | $3.52 | $42 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 1.4¢ | $3.56 | $43 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 1.5¢ | $3.65 | $44 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 1.5¢ | $3.66 | $44 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 1.5¢ | $3.68 | $44 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 1.5¢ | $3.71 | $45 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 1.5¢ | $3.75 | $45 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 1.5¢ | $3.79 | $45 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 1.5¢ | $3.81 | $46 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 1.5¢ | $3.82 | $46 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 1.5¢ | $3.84 | $46 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 1.6¢ | $3.87 | $46 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 1.6¢ | $3.87 | $46 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 1.6¢ | $3.89 | $47 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 1.6¢ | $4.05 | $49 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 1.6¢ | $4.05 | $49 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 1.7¢ | $4.13 | $50 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 1.7¢ | $4.14 | $50 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 1.7¢ | $4.20 | $50 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 1.7¢ | $4.22 | $51 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 1.7¢ | $4.22 | $51 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 1.7¢ | $4.24 | $51 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 1.7¢ | $4.25 | $51 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 1.7¢ | $4.28 | $51 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 1.8¢ | $4.37 | $52 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 1.8¢ | $4.44 | $53 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 1.8¢ | $4.50 | $54 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 1.8¢ | $4.51 | $54 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 1.8¢ | $4.54 | $55 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 1.9¢ | $4.64 | $56 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 2.0¢ | $4.87 | $58 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 2.0¢ | $5.00 | $60 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 2.1¢ | $5.13 | $62 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 2.1¢ | $5.15 | $62 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 2.3¢ | $5.67 | $68 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 2.3¢ | $5.76 | $69 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 2.3¢ | $5.77 | $69 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 2.6¢ | $6.51 | $78 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 2.6¢ | $6.52 | $78 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 2.7¢ | $6.63 | $80 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 2.9¢ | $7.31 | $88 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 3.0¢ | $7.36 | $88 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 3.1¢ | $7.67 | $92 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 3.1¢ | $7.78 | $93 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 3.2¢ | $8.02 | $96 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 3.2¢ | $8.03 | $96 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 3.4¢ | $8.34 | $100 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 3.6¢ | $9.04 | $108 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 4.8¢ | $11.92 | $143 |
How to cut the cost
- Run it only when you need ice, then move the ice to the freezer; leaving it on all day can use 2-3 kWh.
- Start with cold refrigerated water; it shortens each cycle.
- Descale every 1-2 months; scale on the evaporator lengthens freeze cycles.
- Keep the side vents clear by 5 inches.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Freezing ice in your existing freezer adds very little energy compared with running a separate machine.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Countertop ice maker | 130 | 8 hours a day | $4.93 | $59 |
| Refrigerator | 150 | 500 kWh a year | $7.50 | $90 |
| Chest freezer | 100 | 250 kWh a year | $3.75 | $45 |
| Water dispenser | 100 | 400 kWh a year | $6.00 | $72 |
| Upright freezer | 150 | 450 kWh a year | $6.75 | $81 |
| Beverage cooler | 100 | 350 kWh a year | $5.25 | $63 |
| Kegerator | 100 | 350 kWh a year | $5.25 | $63 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a countertop ice maker per hour?
A countertop ice maker drawing 130 watts uses 0.11 kWh per hour while running (85% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 2.0¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 1.4¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 4.8¢.
How much does it cost to run a countertop ice maker per month?
At typical use (8 hours a day), a countertop ice maker costs about $4.93 a month and $59 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a countertop ice maker use?
Most countertop ice makers use 90 to 220 watts. Plugged in but off, it still draws about 1 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a countertop ice maker use?
About 0.90 kWh a day and 329 kWh a year at typical use (8 hours a day).
Does a countertop ice maker use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 329 kWh a year is about 3% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a countertop ice maker or a refrigerator?
At typical use, a countertop ice maker costs about $59 a year versus $90 for a refrigerator. So the countertop ice maker is cheaper by about $31 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a countertop ice maker?
- Run it only when you need ice, then move the ice to the freezer; leaving it on all day can use 2-3 kWh.
- Start with cold refrigerated water; it shortens each cycle.
- Descale every 1-2 months; scale on the evaporator lengthens freeze cycles.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.