How much does an upright freezer cost to run in Wisconsin?
$6.44 a month
- A day
- $0.21
- An hour, averaged
- $0.01
- A year
- $77.26
395 kWh a year (ENERGY STAR typical model), at Wisconsin’s average rate of 19.6¢ 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 | $0.11 | $3.22 | $38.63 |
| 296 kWh a year | $0.16 | $4.83 | $57.95 |
| 395 kWh a year typical | $0.21 | $6.44 | $77.26 |
| 593 kWh a year | $0.32 | $9.66 | $115.89 |
| 790 kWh a year | $0.42 | $12.88 | $154.52 |
A typical model uses about 395 kWh a year (ENERGY STAR).
Wisconsin compared with other states
Wisconsin’s residential rate is the 17th most expensive of 51 states and DC, 1.2¢ above the US average of 18.3¢ (+7%). Wisconsin’s rate is up 1.0¢ from June 2025 (18.5¢, +5.6%).
A cheaper way to do the same job
- A chest freezer would cost $3.50 a month, saving $2.93 a month and $35.21 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 Wisconsin?
About $77.26 a year at Wisconsin’s average of 19.6¢ per kWh, assuming it uses 395 kWh a year like a typical ENERGY STAR model. That is $6.44 a month or $0.21 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 $6.44 in Wisconsin. 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 $0.21 a day: 1.08 kWh at 19.6¢ per kWh.
Is it cheaper to run an upright freezer or a chest freezer?
Using a chest freezer instead would cost about $3.50 a month instead of $6.44, saving $2.93 in Wisconsin.
Why does an upright freezer cost more or less to run in Wisconsin than elsewhere?
Wisconsin’s residential rate is the 17th most expensive of 51 states and DC, 1.2¢ above the US average of 18.3¢ (+7%). Wisconsin’s rate is up 1.0¢ from June 2025 (18.5¢, +5.6%). 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.