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Freezer Energy Cost Calculator

What does your freezer actually cost to run?

Estimate the annual electricity cost of running your standalone freezer. Sized using DOE EnergyGuide kWh-per-cu-ft baselines, EIA US average residential electricity rate, and adjustments for unit age and installation location.

⏱ ~30 secDOE EnergyGuide + EIA rateCalculator
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25
kWh / cu ft / yr
Upright base
20
kWh / cu ft / yr
Chest base
$0.13
US avg rate
EIA 2024
+50%
15+ yr units
vs new
STEP 01

Four inputs.
One real bill.

DOE EnergyGuide baseline kWh, adjusted for unit age and installation location.

cu ft
Garage installs need a garage-rated unit.
Updates live as you type
Estimated annual cost
$49/ yr
375 kWh per year at the EIA US average rate of 13¢/kWh.
Monthly
$4.06
10-year cost
$488
Under the hood

DOE numbers. Real rates.

Baseline kWh from DOE EnergyGuide testing; rate uses the EIA US residential average of 13¢/kWh.

  1. 01

    Baseline kWh by type

    Uprights pull about 25 kWh per cu ft per year. Chest freezers — 20 kWh per cu ft — run roughly 20% leaner because cold air doesn't fall out.

  2. 02

    Age multiplier

    +15% for 5–10 yr units, +30% for 10–15 yr, +50% for 15+ yr. Compressor and gasket degradation is real.

  3. 03

    Location adjustment

    Garage +20% (hot summers), basement -5% (cooler ambient). Indoor is the baseline.

  4. 04

    Cost = kWh × rate

    Annual cost = annual kWh × $0.13 per kWh. Monthly = annual ÷ 12. Ten-year = annual × 10.

Questions

Frequently asked

A modern 15 cu ft upright freezer averages around 375 kWh per year — about $49 at the EIA US average residential rate of 13¢/kWh. Chest freezers run about 20% lower.
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