Chest Freezer running cost, by state
A chest freezer drawing 200W costs about $96.40 a year at the US average electricity rate — but that average hides a fourfold spread. Pick your state for a real figure.
At the US average rate
200W at a 30% duty cycle, 24 hours a day, at 18.34¢/kWh.
About this appliance
Chest freezers are more efficient than upright models because cold air does not spill out when opened. A garage freezer in an unheated space works harder in summer and easier in winter.
- Nameplate wattage is not running cost. This chest freezer draws about 200W when active, but cycles roughly 30% of the time it is switched on, so effective consumption is near 60W.
- Models vary widely, from about 100W to 400W. Check the nameplate on your own unit rather than assuming an average, because the spread is more than 2x.
- Because this runs continuously, small wattage differences between models compound into large annual differences.
- If your utility offers time-of-use pricing, shifting this load off-peak can cut its cost substantially without using any less energy.
Annual cost in every state
Sorted cheapest first. Click any state for the full calculation with that state’s rate loaded.
| State | Rate /kWh | Per month | Per year | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 13.11¢ | $5.75 | $68.91 | |
| Nebraska | 13.25¢ | $5.81 | $69.64 | |
| Utah | 13.37¢ | $5.86 | $70.27 | |
| Louisiana | 13.49¢ | $5.91 | $70.90 | |
| Tennessee | 14.07¢ | $6.17 | $73.95 | |
| Arkansas | 14.12¢ | $6.19 | $74.21 | |
| North Dakota | 14.12¢ | $6.19 | $74.21 | |
| Kentucky | 14.26¢ | $6.25 | $74.95 | |
| Oklahoma | 14.33¢ | $6.28 | $75.32 | |
| Idaho | 14.37¢ | $6.30 | $75.53 | |
| North Carolina | 14.74¢ | $6.46 | $77.47 | |
| Mississippi | 14.88¢ | $6.52 | $78.21 | |
| Washington | 14.91¢ | $6.54 | $78.37 | |
| New Mexico | 15.06¢ | $6.60 | $79.16 | |
| Florida | 15.10¢ | $6.62 | $79.37 | |
| Montana | 15.14¢ | $6.64 | $79.58 | |
| Arizona | 15.18¢ | $6.65 | $79.79 | |
| Wyoming | 15.24¢ | $6.68 | $80.10 | |
| South Dakota | 15.36¢ | $6.73 | $80.73 | |
| West Virginia | 15.45¢ | $6.77 | $81.21 | |
| South Carolina | 15.55¢ | $6.82 | $81.73 | |
| Kansas | 15.71¢ | $6.89 | $82.57 | |
| Iowa | 15.93¢ | $6.98 | $83.73 | |
| Texas | 15.94¢ | $6.99 | $83.78 | |
| Missouri | 16.22¢ | $7.11 | $85.25 | |
| Oregon | 16.32¢ | $7.15 | $85.78 | |
| Georgia | 16.36¢ | $7.17 | $85.99 | |
| Alabama | 16.40¢ | $7.19 | $86.20 | |
| Colorado | 17.13¢ | $7.51 | $90.04 | |
| Virginia | 17.22¢ | $7.55 | $90.51 | |
| Indiana | 17.51¢ | $7.68 | $92.03 | |
| Minnesota | 17.52¢ | $7.68 | $92.09 | |
| Ohio | 19.19¢ | $8.41 | $101 | |
| Delaware | 19.29¢ | $8.46 | $101 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.56¢ | $8.57 | $103 | |
| Illinois | 19.89¢ | $8.72 | $105 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.73¢ | $9.53 | $114 | |
| Maryland | 21.84¢ | $9.57 | $115 | |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $10.08 | $121 | |
| Connecticut | 24.32¢ | $10.66 | $128 | |
| District of Columbia | 24.39¢ | $10.69 | $128 | |
| Vermont | 24.44¢ | $10.71 | $128 | |
| New Jersey | 24.95¢ | $10.94 | $131 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.01¢ | $11.84 | $142 | |
| Alaska | 28.21¢ | $12.37 | $148 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.23¢ | $12.81 | $154 | |
| New York | 29.49¢ | $12.93 | $155 | |
| Maine | 29.59¢ | $12.97 | $156 | |
| Massachusetts | 29.61¢ | $12.98 | $156 | |
| California | 34.74¢ | $15.23 | $183 | |
| Hawaii | 52.72¢ | $23.11 | $277 |
Common questions
How many watts does a chest freezer use?
A typical chest freezer draws about 200 watts while running, with most models falling between 100W and 400W. Check the nameplate label or manual for your specific unit - the range is wide enough that averages can mislead.
How much electricity does a chest freezer use per day?
At around 24 hours of use a day and a 30% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 1.44 kWh per day, or about 43 kWh a month. Your actual figure depends on your usage and model.
Why does the cost differ so much between states?
Residential electricity rates across the US range from about 12.35 cents per kWh in North Dakota to 46.62 cents in Hawaii - nearly a fourfold difference. The same chest freezer, used identically, therefore costs almost four times as much to run in the most expensive state as in the cheapest.
Is it cheaper to run a chest freezer at night?
Only if you are on a time-of-use or variable tariff. On a flat rate, the time of day makes no difference to cost. If you are on time-of-use pricing, off-peak hours are typically materially cheaper, and shifting this load can reduce its cost without reducing usage.