How Much Does It Cost to Run a Chest Freezer? (UK 2026)
Based on the active UK Ofgem price cap of 24.5p per kWh (1 January 2026 – 31 March 2026).
A typical 100W chest freezer costs £0.02 per hour of continuous use at current UK electricity rates (24.5p/kWh). For typical daily usage (Compressor cycles on for approx. 7 hours total runtime per 24-hour day (~0.7 kWh/day)), it costs approximately £0.17 per day or £62.43 per year.
Manufacturer specs: Bauknecht & Russell Hobbs 200L chest freezer energy labels (100W compressor, 160-210 kWh/year)
How to Save Money Running a Chest Freezer
- Position the chest freezer in an unheated utility room, dry garage, or basement to lower the temperature delta.
- Defrost the chest freezer annually or whenever ice thickness exceeds 5 mm to maintain heat exchanger efficiency.
- Organize frozen items in hanging wire baskets to find food quickly without keeping the lid open for prolonged periods.
- Keep the freezer well stocked; frozen food retains cold during minor power outages and compressor resting cycles.
Alternative Appliances Compared
vs. Upright Fridge-Freezer
View running cost →Chest freezers lose almost zero cold air when opened from above, consuming about 20% to 30% less power than upright front-opening freezer drawers.
vs. Slow Cooker (Batch Cooking)
View running cost →Chest freezers enable bulk meal preparation with slow cookers, buying ingredients in bulk and preserving them efficiently.
Chest Freezer Technical Power Profile
Source data: Bauknecht & Russell Hobbs 200L chest freezer energy labels (100W compressor, 160-210 kWh/year)
Frequently Asked Questions: Chest Freezer Electricity Costs
How much does it cost to run a chest freezer per year in the UK?â–¾
A typical 200L modern chest freezer consumes approx. 180 kWh per year. At 24.5p/kWh, that costs approx. £44.10 per year (or about £3.68 per month).
Why are chest freezers more efficient than upright freezers?â–¾
Cold air is denser than warm air and sinks to the bottom. When you open a chest freezer lid, the cold air remains pooled inside, whereas opening an upright freezer door causes cold air to immediately pour onto the floor.
Can I put a chest freezer in an unheated garage in the UK?â–¾
Only if it has "Freezer Guard" or "Winter Guard" technology rated to operate in ambient temperatures down to -15°C.
What temperature should a chest freezer be set to?â–¾
-18°C (0°F) is the international standard for food preservation and electrical efficiency.
Does filling empty space with water bottles save electricity?â–¾
Yes. Filling unused volume with plastic bottles of frozen water reduces air volume and helps maintain temperatures without frequent compressor cycling.