How much does an upright freezer cost to run in California?
$11 a month
- A day
- $0.38
- An hour, averaged
- $0.02
- A year
- $137.22
395 kWh a year (ENERGY STAR typical model), at California’s average rate of 34.7¢ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 198 kWh a year | $0.19 | $5.72 | $68.61 |
| 296 kWh a year | $0.28 | $8.58 | $102.92 |
| 395 kWh a year typical | $0.38 | $11.44 | $137.22 |
| 593 kWh a year | $0.56 | $17.15 | $205.83 |
| 790 kWh a year | $0.75 | $22.87 | $274.45 |
A typical model uses about 395 kWh a year (ENERGY STAR).
California compared with other states
California’s residential rate is the 2nd most expensive of 51 states and DC, 16.4¢ above the US average of 18.3¢ (+89%). California’s rate is up 1.2¢ from June 2025 (33.6¢, +3.4%).
A cheaper way to do the same job
- A chest freezer would cost $6.22 a month, saving $5.21 a month and $62.53 a year.
Ways to spend less
- Manual-defrost models use less energy than auto-defrost ones; defrost when frost builds up.
- Keep it out of hot garages and away from the oven.
- Open the door less often and for shorter spells.
Questions
How much does it cost to run an upright freezer per year in California?
About $137.22 a year at California’s average of 34.7¢ per kWh, assuming it uses 395 kWh a year like a typical ENERGY STAR model. That is $11.44 a month or $0.38 a day.
How much electricity does an upright freezer use per month?
About 32.9 kWh a month (395 kWh a year ÷ 12), which costs $11.44 in California. 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 an upright freezer per day?
About $0.38 a day: 1.08 kWh at 34.7¢ per kWh.
Is it cheaper to run an upright freezer or a chest freezer?
Using a chest freezer instead would cost about $6.22 a month instead of $11.44, saving $5.21 in California.
Why does an upright freezer cost more or less to run in California than elsewhere?
California’s residential rate is the 2nd most expensive of 51 states and DC, 16.4¢ above the US average of 18.3¢ (+89%). California’s rate is up 1.2¢ from June 2025 (33.6¢, +3.4%). 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.