How much does an upright freezer cost to run in North Carolina?
$4.85 a month
- A day
- $0.16
- An hour, averaged
- $0.01
- A year
- $58.22
395 kWh a year (ENERGY STAR typical model), at North Carolina’s average rate of 14.7¢ 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 | $0.08 | $2.43 | $29.11 |
| 296 kWh a year | $0.12 | $3.64 | $43.67 |
| 395 kWh a year typical | $0.16 | $4.85 | $58.22 |
| 593 kWh a year | $0.24 | $7.28 | $87.33 |
| 790 kWh a year | $0.32 | $9.70 | $116.45 |
A typical model uses about 395 kWh a year (ENERGY STAR).
North Carolina compared with other states
North Carolina’s residential rate is the 11th cheapest of 51 states and DC, 3.6¢ below the US average of 18.3¢ (−20%).
A cheaper way to do the same job
- A chest freezer would cost $2.64 a month, saving $2.21 a month and $26.53 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 North Carolina?
About $58.22 a year at North Carolina’s average of 14.7¢ per kWh, assuming it uses 395 kWh a year like a typical ENERGY STAR model. That is $4.85 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 $4.85 in North Carolina. 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 14.7¢ per kWh.
Is it cheaper to run an upright freezer or a chest freezer?
Using a chest freezer instead would cost about $2.64 a month instead of $4.85, saving $2.21 in North Carolina.
Why does an upright freezer cost more or less to run in North Carolina than elsewhere?
North Carolina’s residential rate is the 11th cheapest of 51 states and DC, 3.6¢ below the US average of 18.3¢ (−20%). 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.