Freezer electricity use: upright, chest and compact
The median certified upright freezer uses 438 kWh a year, $80 at the U.S. average price. Pick a type and size: the tool prices it in your state.
Example for an upright freezer of 10 to 20 cu ft — change any figure to see your own result
Typical certified freezer, cost a year
$79
435 kWh a year at the U.S. average price
| Per month | $6.58 |
| Average power draw | 50 watts |
| Models compared | 329 |
| Range among them | $45 to $114 a year |
The freezer list gives capacity and energy only, no dimensions.
Compiled by Radif Partners · How the figures are built
Freezer electricity use is easy to compare because a freezer runs all year: the yearly kWh on its label is close to what it uses at home, with a kitchen or garage temperature that changes it. The ENERGY STAR list of November 12, 2026 holds 624 certified freezers: 481 upright models, 134 compact ones and only 9 chest freezers. The median upright freezer holds 15.2 cubic feet and uses 438 kWh a year, which costs $80 at the U.S. average home price of August 2026 and $207 in Hawaii. The median certified chest freezer uses 218 kWh and the median compact one 249. For comparison, the median full-size refrigerator on the same list uses 465 kWh. The chest figure rests on few models, so read it as an indication. The freezer list gives capacity and energy only: no width, height or depth.
Freezer electricity use by type
The table gives, for each type, the number of certified models, their median capacity, the median yearly kWh and the cost of a year at the U.S. average price and in Hawaii.
| Type | Models | Typical capacity | Typical kWh a year | Cost a year, U.S. average | Cost a year, Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upright | 481 | 15.2 cu ft | 438 | $80 | $207 |
| Chest | 9 | 10.6 cu ft | 218 | $40 | $103 |
| Compact | 134 | 4.3 cu ft | 249 | $45 | $117 |
Upright freezers by capacity
Within the upright type, energy rises with capacity. The table splits the certified upright models into capacity bands.
| Capacity | Models | Typical kWh a year | Cost a year, U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 cu ft | 51 | 428 | $78 |
| 10 to 15 cu ft | 189 | 394 | $72 |
| 15 to 20 cu ft | 140 | 443 | $80 |
| Over 20 cu ft | 101 | 493 | $90 |
Running cost of the freezer type and size you want
Example for an upright freezer of 10 to 20 cu ft — change any figure to see your own result
Typical certified freezer, cost a year
$79
435 kWh a year at the U.S. average price
| Per month | $6.58 |
| Average power draw | 50 watts |
| Models compared | 329 |
| Range among them | $45 to $114 a year |
Using less
A freezer works less when its door stays shut, its seal is tight, it has space around its coils and it sits in a cool room. Setting it colder than the usual 0°F (minus 18°C) adds energy without keeping food better. The yearly figure on the list is measured under the federal test procedure (10 CFR 430).
Freezer and refrigerator together
A separate freezer often sits next to a refrigerator. The refrigerator electricity page gives the other half of the cold-storage bill, and the state comparison adds the main appliances of a home.
Upright or chest
Upright freezers dominate the certified list: 481 models against 9 chest freezers. With so few chest models, their median says little about the type as a whole. A chest freezer keeps its cold air in when the lid opens, while an upright one is easier to sort. If you buy a chest model that is not on the list, its yellow EnergyGuide label gives its yearly kWh, which you can multiply by your state's price from the state table.
Size against need
A freezer that is mostly empty still cools its whole volume. Within the upright type, the table shows energy rising with capacity, so the right size is the one you fill.