How much does a chest freezer cost to run in Pennsylvania?
$3.89 a month
- A day
- $0.13
- An hour, averaged
- $0.01
- A year
- $46.72
215 kWh a year (ENERGY STAR typical model), at Pennsylvania’s average rate of 21.7¢ per kWh (EIA, June 2026). How we calculate this
Change the watts, hours or rate
What it costs if yours uses more or less
| Consumption | A day | A month | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 108 kWh a year | $0.06 | $1.95 | $23.36 |
| 161 kWh a year | $0.10 | $2.92 | $35.04 |
| 215 kWh a year typical | $0.13 | $3.89 | $46.72 |
| 323 kWh a year | $0.19 | $5.84 | $70.08 |
| 430 kWh a year | $0.26 | $7.79 | $93.44 |
A typical model uses about 215 kWh a year (ENERGY STAR).
Pennsylvania compared with other states
Pennsylvania’s residential rate is the 15th most expensive of 51 states and DC, 3.4¢ above the US average of 18.3¢ (+18%). Pennsylvania’s rate is up 2.0¢ from June 2025 (19.7¢, +10.4%).
Ways to spend less
- Keep it full; frozen food holds the cold when the lid opens.
- Put it somewhere cool and out of direct sun rather than a hot garage.
- Defrost it when frost builds up on the walls; frost insulates the food from the cold.
Questions
How much does it cost to run a chest freezer per year in Pennsylvania?
About $46.72 a year at Pennsylvania’s average of 21.7¢ per kWh, assuming it uses 215 kWh a year like a typical ENERGY STAR model. That is $3.89 a month or $0.13 a day.
How much electricity does a chest freezer use per month?
About 17.9 kWh a month (215 kWh a year ÷ 12), which costs $3.89 in Pennsylvania. Your model may use more or less: the yellow EnergyGuide label on it shows its own annual kWh.
How much does it cost to run a chest freezer per day?
About $0.13 a day: 0.589 kWh at 21.7¢ per kWh.
Why does a chest freezer cost more or less to run in Pennsylvania than elsewhere?
Pennsylvania’s residential rate is the 15th most expensive of 51 states and DC, 3.4¢ above the US average of 18.3¢ (+18%). Pennsylvania’s rate is up 2.0¢ from June 2025 (19.7¢, +10.4%). The appliance uses the same energy everywhere; only the price per kWh changes.
Sources
- ENERGY STAR: Freezers
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A: average price of electricity to ultimate customers, residential, June 2026 Figures transcribed from republications of this table on September 26, 2026; pending direct verification from the EIA API.
- Carrier page: June 2026 residential average price, citing EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A
Usage assumptions (hours a day, season) are ours and listed on the methodology page. Found an error? Tell us.