How much does a chest freezer cost to run in Virginia?
$3.09 a month
- A day
- $0.10
- An hour, averaged
- $0.00
- A year
- $37.02
215 kWh a year (ENERGY STAR typical model), at Virginia’s average rate of 17.2¢ 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 | $0.05 | $1.54 | $18.51 |
| 161 kWh a year | $0.08 | $2.31 | $27.77 |
| 215 kWh a year typical | $0.10 | $3.09 | $37.02 |
| 323 kWh a year | $0.15 | $4.63 | $55.53 |
| 430 kWh a year | $0.20 | $6.17 | $74.05 |
A typical model uses about 215 kWh a year (ENERGY STAR).
Virginia compared with other states
Virginia’s residential rate is the 22nd most expensive of 51 states and DC, 1.1¢ below the US average of 18.3¢ (−6%). Virginia’s rate is up 2.0¢ from June 2025 (15.2¢, +13.1%).
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 Virginia?
About $37.02 a year at Virginia’s average of 17.2¢ per kWh, assuming it uses 215 kWh a year like a typical ENERGY STAR model. That is $3.09 a month or $0.10 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 $3.09 in Virginia. 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 $0.10 a day: 0.589 kWh at 17.2¢ per kWh.
Why does a chest freezer cost more or less to run in Virginia than elsewhere?
Virginia’s residential rate is the 22nd most expensive of 51 states and DC, 1.1¢ below the US average of 18.3¢ (−6%). Virginia’s rate is up 2.0¢ from June 2025 (15.2¢, +13.1%). 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.