Freezers: Annual Operating Cost

This is an estimate. Operating cost is an estimate, computed from each model's measured annual energy use at the EIA U.S. national-average residential electricity rate (18.56 ¢/kWh, March 2026). Your actual cost depends on your local utility rate and how you use the appliance. How we compute this.

Across the 635 ENERGY STAR certified freezers tracked in this analysis, the median model consumes approximately 405 kilowatt-hours per year and costs an estimated $75 annually to operate, based on the U.S. national-average residential electricity rate. Annual operating costs for freezers in the dataset range from roughly $25 to $120, depending on efficiency and size.

These cost estimates are derived from each model's measured annual energy consumption, providing a standardized basis for comparing energy efficiency across the field rather than relying on manufacturer labels alone. While operating cost represents an important factor in evaluating freezers, it is only one component of the total ownership equation. Purchase price, storage capacity, and available features also play significant roles in the buying decision.

Over the operational lifetime of a freezer, selecting a more efficient model in this category can produce meaningful savings on energy bills. This information serves as a specifications and cost comparison resource; actual costs will vary based on individual utility rates and usage patterns specific to each household.

How we estimate operating cost

Operating cost is an estimate, computed from each model's measured annual energy use at the EIA U.S. national-average residential electricity rate (18.56 ¢/kWh, March 2026). Your actual cost depends on your local utility rate and how you use the appliance.

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