How much does a chest freezer (avg draw) cost to run?

Chest freezers typically draw 100–400 watts while running, cycling on and off to maintain sub-zero temperature. Like refrigerators, they run constantly, making even modest operating wattage add up over a year.

Typical running cost (18.83¢/kWh, U.S. average, 2026-04)

BasisCost
Per hour (while running, 90 W typical)$0.017
Per day (24 h/day, 7/7 days)$0.41
Per month$12.38
Per year$148.56
Hourly range (small 60 W – large 130 W)$0.011 – $0.024
Save: Keep it full (empty space requires more energy to cool) and defrost it annually if frost buildup exceeds 1/4 inch.

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