How much does an upright freezer cost to run in Virginia?
$5.67 a month
- A day
- $0.19
- An hour, averaged
- $0.01
- A year
- $68.02
395 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 198 kWh a year | $0.09 | $2.83 | $34.01 |
| 296 kWh a year | $0.14 | $4.25 | $51.01 |
| 395 kWh a year typical | $0.19 | $5.67 | $68.02 |
| 593 kWh a year | $0.28 | $8.50 | $102.03 |
| 790 kWh a year | $0.37 | $11.34 | $136.04 |
A typical model uses about 395 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%).
A cheaper way to do the same job
- A chest freezer would cost $3.09 a month, saving $2.58 a month and $31.00 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 Virginia?
About $68.02 a year at Virginia’s average of 17.2¢ per kWh, assuming it uses 395 kWh a year like a typical ENERGY STAR model. That is $5.67 a month or $0.19 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 $5.67 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 an upright freezer per day?
About $0.19 a day: 1.08 kWh at 17.2¢ per kWh.
Is it cheaper to run an upright freezer or a chest freezer?
Using a chest freezer instead would cost about $3.09 a month instead of $5.67, saving $2.58 in Virginia.
Why does an upright 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.