How much does it cost to run a compact freezer?

Data checked October 2026

Short answer

The average new compact freezer uses 259 kWh a year — about $47.11 a year or $3.93 a month at the U.S. average of 18.19¢/kWh.

That's the average of 162 ENERGY STAR certified compact freezer models: 0.71 kWh and $0.13 a day, an average draw of about 30 W as the compressor cycles.
Its EnergyGuide label would say $36.26 a year — it prices electricity at 14¢/kWh, not today's 18.19¢.
It uses 107 kWh a year less than an average full-size top-freezer refrigerator.
In North Dakota it costs $32.27 a year; in Hawaii $120.
An older unit can use much more than these new-model averages — a plug-in meter left on for 2–3 days tells you exactly.

Adjust it to your exact job

Your refrigerator or freezer

Type

Energy use from

Average of 162 ENERGY STAR certified models: 259 kWh a year. Older units often use more — measure yours to know.

How many?

A second fridge or freezer in the garage counts too.

Electricity rate

Where you live

Price per kWh

EIA's state average: total residential revenue ÷ kWh sold, so delivery and fixed monthly charges are spread over every kWh.

Typical new compact freezer costs

$3.93a month

259 kWh a year · $47.11 a year · $0.13 a day

At 18.19¢/kWh — U.S. average, Jan–Aug 2026 (EIA).

Per year: $47.11259 kWh
Per day: $0.130.71 kWh
Average draw: 30Wcompressor cycles on and off
Label at 14¢: $36.26what the yellow tag would say

Cost by period
Period	kWh	Cost
Per hour (avg)	0.03	$0.005
Per day	0.71	$0.13
Per month	21.6	$3.93
Per year	259	$47.11

Other styles at this rate

Yearly cost of ENERGY STAR average models
Type	kWh/yr	Per year
French door	557	$101
Top freezer	366	$66.58
Side-by-side	636	$116
Freezerless	284	$51.66
Mini fridge	257	$46.75
Wine cooler	178	$32.38
Chest freezer	263	$47.84
Upright freezer	450	$81.86
Compact freezer	259	$47.11

How to cut it

Measure an old fridge with a plug-in meter (a Kill A Watt handles up to 15 A) before deciding to replace it.
Keep door gaskets clean and sealing, and vacuum the condenser coils if they're exposed.
A garage fridge works harder in summer heat; one you don't need is pure cost.

Energy budget

259 kWh Compact freezer — electricity per year18.19¢/kWh$47.11

Estimated total$47.11

Did this answer your question?

Compare

Compact freezer: yearly running cost in the cheapest and priciest states

State	¢/kWh	Per month	Per year
Hawaii	46.41	$10.02	$120
California	32.58	$7.03	$84.38
Maine	30.23	$6.52	$78.30
Massachusetts	30.19	$6.52	$78.19
U.S. average	18.19	$3.93	$47.11
Utah	13.19	$2.85	$34.16
Idaho	13.02	$2.81	$33.72
Nebraska	12.92	$2.79	$33.46
North Dakota	12.46	$2.69	$32.27

How this was worked out

259 kWh × 18.19¢ = $47.11 a year; ÷ 12 = $3.93 a month. The kWh figure comes from the federal test behind the EnergyGuide label, so it already includes the compressor cycling on and off.

Prices are EIA's U.S. average for Jan–Aug 2026; choose your state in the calculator.

The full method, material data and tips are on the main refrigerator cost calculator page.

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Other sizes people check

Sources

Data behind this answer

ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators and freezers (datasets) — average kWh/yr by configuration; freezers from dataset 8t9c-g3tn · checked October 2026
EIA Electric Power Monthly, Tables 5.6.A & 5.6.B — residential price by state (August 2026) — latest month and Jan–Aug 2026 year-to-date average for every state; preliminary, refreshed monthly · checked October 2026
Federal Register 2022-22036 — EnergyGuide label cost figures — labels since Jan 10, 2023 assume 14¢/kWh · checked October 2026
P3 International Kill A Watt P4400 — plug-in meter up to 15 A / 1,875 VA for measuring real kWh · checked October 2026
EIA Electric Power Monthly technical notes — average price = revenue ÷ sales, including fixed customer charges, fuel adjustments and surcharges · checked October 2026

Short answer

The average new compact freezer uses 259 kWh a year — about $47.11 a year or $3.93 a month at the U.S. average of 18.19¢/kWh.

That's the average of 162 ENERGY STAR certified compact freezer models: 0.71 kWh and $0.13 a day, an average draw of about 30 W as the compressor cycles.

Its EnergyGuide label would say $36.26 a year — it prices electricity at 14¢/kWh, not today's 18.19¢.

It uses 107 kWh a year less than an average full-size top-freezer refrigerator.

In North Dakota it costs $32.27 a year; in Hawaii $120.

An older unit can use much more than these new-model averages — a plug-in meter left on for 2–3 days tells you exactly.

Adjust it to your exact job

Your refrigerator or freezer

Type

Energy use from

Average of 162 ENERGY STAR certified models: 259 kWh a year. Older units often use more — measure yours to know.

How many?

A second fridge or freezer in the garage counts too.

Electricity rate

Where you live

Price per kWh

EIA's state average: total residential revenue ÷ kWh sold, so delivery and fixed monthly charges are spread over every kWh.

Typical new compact freezer costs

$3.93a month

259 kWh a year · $47.11 a year · $0.13 a day

At 18.19¢/kWh — U.S. average, Jan–Aug 2026 (EIA).

Per year: $47.11259 kWh
Per day: $0.130.71 kWh
Average draw: 30Wcompressor cycles on and off
Label at 14¢: $36.26what the yellow tag would say

Cost by period
Period	kWh	Cost
Per hour (avg)	0.03	$0.005
Per day	0.71	$0.13
Per month	21.6	$3.93
Per year	259	$47.11

Other styles at this rate

Yearly cost of ENERGY STAR average models
Type	kWh/yr	Per year
French door	557	$101
Top freezer	366	$66.58
Side-by-side	636	$116
Freezerless	284	$51.66
Mini fridge	257	$46.75
Wine cooler	178	$32.38
Chest freezer	263	$47.84
Upright freezer	450	$81.86
Compact freezer	259	$47.11

How to cut it

Measure an old fridge with a plug-in meter (a Kill A Watt handles up to 15 A) before deciding to replace it.
Keep door gaskets clean and sealing, and vacuum the condenser coils if they're exposed.
A garage fridge works harder in summer heat; one you don't need is pure cost.

Energy budget

259 kWh Compact freezer — electricity per year18.19¢/kWh$47.11

Estimated total$47.11

State

¢/kWh

Per month

Per year

Hawaii

46.41

$10.02

$120

California

32.58

$7.03

$84.38

Maine

30.23

$6.52

$78.30

Massachusetts

30.19

$6.52

$78.19

U.S. average

18.19

$3.93

$47.11

Utah

13.19

$2.85

$34.16

Idaho

13.02

$2.81

$33.72

Nebraska

12.92

$2.79

$33.46

North Dakota

12.46

$2.69

$32.27

How this was worked out

259 kWh × 18.19¢ = $47.11 a year; ÷ 12 = $3.93 a month. The kWh figure comes from the federal test behind the EnergyGuide label, so it already includes the compressor cycling on and off.

Prices are EIA's U.S. average for Jan–Aug 2026; choose your state in the calculator.

The full method, material data and tips are on the main refrigerator cost calculator page.