How much does an upright freezer cost to run in Montana?
$4.98 a month
- A day
- $0.16
- An hour, averaged
- $0.01
- A year
- $59.80
395 kWh a year (ENERGY STAR typical model), at Montana’s average rate of 15.1¢ 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 | $0.08 | $2.49 | $29.90 |
| 296 kWh a year | $0.12 | $3.74 | $44.85 |
| 395 kWh a year typical | $0.16 | $4.98 | $59.80 |
| 593 kWh a year | $0.25 | $7.48 | $89.70 |
| 790 kWh a year | $0.33 | $9.97 | $119.61 |
A typical model uses about 395 kWh a year (ENERGY STAR).
Montana compared with other states
Montana’s residential rate is the 16th cheapest of 51 states and DC, 3.2¢ below the US average of 18.3¢ (−17%). Montana’s rate is up 0.3¢ from June 2025 (14.8¢, +2.2%).
A cheaper way to do the same job
- A chest freezer would cost $2.71 a month, saving $2.27 a month and $27.25 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 Montana?
About $59.80 a year at Montana’s average of 15.1¢ per kWh, assuming it uses 395 kWh a year like a typical ENERGY STAR model. That is $4.98 a month or $0.16 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 $4.98 in Montana. 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 $0.16 a day: 1.08 kWh at 15.1¢ per kWh.
Is it cheaper to run an upright freezer or a chest freezer?
Using a chest freezer instead would cost about $2.71 a month instead of $4.98, saving $2.27 in Montana.
Why does an upright freezer cost more or less to run in Montana than elsewhere?
Montana’s residential rate is the 16th cheapest of 51 states and DC, 3.2¢ below the US average of 18.3¢ (−17%). Montana’s rate is up 0.3¢ from June 2025 (14.8¢, +2.2%). 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.