How much does it cost to run an upright freezer?
An upright freezer costs about 22¢ a day, $6.75 a month and $81 a year at typical use (450 kWh a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. 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.
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Cost to run an upright freezer in every state
The same upright freezer costs $55 a year in North Dakota and $196 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | $4.62 | $55 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | $4.74 | $57 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | $4.82 | $58 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | $4.87 | $58 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | $5.00 | $60 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | $5.01 | $60 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | $5.04 | $60 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | $5.08 | $61 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | $5.14 | $62 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | $5.19 | $62 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | $5.22 | $63 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | $5.23 | $63 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $5.25 | $63 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | $5.29 | $64 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | $5.30 | $64 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | $5.32 | $64 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | $5.54 | $66 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | $5.54 | $66 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | $5.66 | $68 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | $5.67 | $68 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | $5.75 | $69 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | $5.77 | $69 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | $5.78 | $69 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | $5.80 | $70 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | $5.81 | $70 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | $5.87 | $70 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | $5.99 | $72 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | $6.08 | $73 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $6.17 | $74 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | $6.18 | $74 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | $6.22 | $75 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | $6.35 | $76 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | $6.67 | $80 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | $6.84 | $82 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | $7.03 | $84 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | $7.05 | $85 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | $7.76 | $93 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | $7.89 | $95 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | $7.89 | $95 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | $8.92 | $107 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | $8.93 | $107 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | $9.07 | $109 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | $10.00 | $120 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | $10.07 | $121 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | $10.50 | $126 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | $10.65 | $128 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | $10.98 | $132 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | $10.99 | $132 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $11.41 | $137 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $12.37 | $148 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $16.32 | $196 |
Most efficient upright freezer models
The lowest-energy ENERGY STAR certified models in the most common size (11.7–15.9 cu ft), out of 611 certified models. In this class, the best model costs $50 a year to run. The least efficient costs $101. Same size, $52 a year apart.
| Brand | Model | Capacity | kWh/yr | Cost/yr | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GE | FCM16DL**** | 15.7 | 277 | $50 | Amazon |
| Beko | BUFR2715MG +1 variant Most Efficient | 14.3 | 305 | $55 | Amazon |
| Blomberg | BRUF2814WH Most Efficient | 14.3 | 305 | $55 | Amazon |
| Frigidaire | FFUE1326AV +1 variant | 13 | 380 | $68 | Amazon |
| Elisii | DECVC138W | 13.6 | 391 | $70 | Amazon |
| Forno | FFFFD1722-28BLK-LS +5 variants | 13.6 | 391 | $70 | Amazon |
| Hisense | CFU14N6AWE +5 variants | 13.6 | 391 | $70 | Amazon |
| Insignia | NS-UZ14****** | 13.8 | 391 | $70 | Amazon |
| Mora | MFU140N6AWE | 13.6 | 391 | $70 | Amazon |
| FARBERWARE | FW-UFR391US-IN-I6A +2 variants | 14 | 392 | $71 | Amazon |
Yearly cost from the official annual energy use and 17.99¢/kWh. Look up any model in the calculator with “Look up my exact model”. Source: ENERGY STAR, updated 2026-10-21. Amazon links search for the exact model; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How to cut the cost
- Set it to 0°F and verify with a thermometer.
- Keep it full; cold air spills out of uprights every time the door opens.
- Clean the condenser coils yearly and leave 2 inches of rear clearance.
- If you rarely need easy access, a chest freezer of the same size saves 100-250 kWh a year.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Chest freezers are typically 20-40% more efficient than frost-free uprights of equal capacity.
See options on AmazonCertified uprights use at least 10% less than the federal minimum.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upright freezer | 150 | 450 kWh a year | $6.75 | $81 |
| Chest freezer | 100 | 250 kWh a year | $3.75 | $45 |
| Refrigerator | 150 | 500 kWh a year | $7.50 | $90 |
| Garage refrigerator | 200 | 800 kWh a year | $11.99 | $144 |
| French door refrigerator | 170 | 630 kWh a year | $9.44 | $113 |
| Countertop ice maker | 130 | 8 hours a day | $4.93 | $59 |
| Side-by-side refrigerator | 180 | 650 kWh a year | $9.74 | $117 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an upright freezer per hour?
An upright freezer is usually measured per year rather than per hour. It uses about 450 kWh a year, which works out to 22¢ a day.
How much does it cost to run an upright freezer per month?
At typical use (450 kWh a year), an upright freezer costs about $6.75 a month and $81 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does an upright freezer use?
Most upright freezers use 90 to 250 watts. Starting surge can reach 700 W. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an upright freezer use?
About 1.23 kWh a day and 450 kWh a year at typical use (450 kWh a year).
Does an upright freezer use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 450 kWh a year is about 4% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run an upright freezer or a chest freezer?
At typical use, an upright freezer costs about $81 a year versus $45 for a chest freezer. So the chest freezer is cheaper by about $36 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an upright freezer?
- Set it to 0°F and verify with a thermometer.
- Keep it full; cold air spills out of uprights every time the door opens.
- Clean the condenser coils yearly and leave 2 inches of rear clearance.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.