Freezers / California
Cost to run a freezer in California
A typical ENERGY STAR freezer costs about $136.12 a year to run in California, or $11.34 a month, at the state’s average residential price of 33.61 cents per kWh (July 2026).
- Typical yearly cost
- $136.12
- Over ten years
- $1361 today’s price
- Price in California
- 33.61 ¢/kWh
“Typical” means the median annual energy use of 655 current ENERGY STAR certified freezers (405 kWh a year), multiplied by the price. It is a standardized figure, not a measurement of your home.
By type of freezer
| Type | Models | Median kWh/yr | Cost per year | Per month | Range per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upright Freezer | 484 | 438 | $147.21 | $12.27 | $83.02 to $218.13 |
| Compact | 162 | 244 | $82.01 | $6.83 | $46.05 to $137.13 |
| Chest Freezer | 9 | 218 | $73.27 | $6.11 | $67.56 to $116.29 |
Costs use each type’s median listing; the range runs from its lowest to its highest listed energy use. Source: ENERGY STAR certified freezers dataset (EPA) and EIA residential prices.
How California compares
California’s average residential price is 109% above the median US state, ranking 2 of 51 from highest to lowest. The same typical freezer would cost $51.52 a year in Louisiana, the cheapest state, and $194.40 in Hawaii, the most expensive. Over the last 12 months California’s price rose 2.9%.
Cost to run a freezer in every state · California electricity price history · Replacing an old freezer? Savings calculator
Lowest running cost by type
The published model with the lowest listed annual energy use in each type, with its cost at California’s price:
- Whirlpool WZC3209LW (chest freezer): 201 kWh a year, about $67.56 in California
- Liebherr UF3651 (compact): 155 kWh a year, about $52.10 in California
- Hisense FU102N3SSEL (upright freezer): 344 kWh a year, about $115.62 in California
These are the lowest among the models published on this site, not among every certified model. Browse all freezers by energy use.
Questions
How much does it cost to run a freezer in California?
A typical ENERGY STAR freezer (the median of 655 current listings, 405 kWh a year) costs about $136.12 a year, or $11.34 a month, at California's average residential price of 33.61 cents per kWh. By type it ranges from $73.27 (chest freezer) to $147.21 (upright freezer).
Is electricity expensive in California?
California's average residential price is 33.61 cents per kWh (July 2026, EIA), 109% above the median state and 2 of 51 when states are ranked from highest to lowest price. The same typical freezer would cost $51.52 a year in Louisiana, the cheapest state, and $194.40 in Hawaii.
Will my freezer cost the same?
Probably not exactly. The annual figure is a standardized ENERGY STAR value, and your own price per kWh may differ from the statewide average. Enter your rate in the calculator on any freezer page for a closer number.