APPLIANCE RUNNING COSTS · OCT–DEC 2026
How much does a chest freezer cost to run?
A chest freezer runs constantly. Its energy label gives the annual electricity it uses in a standard test. At the GB average price-cap electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh for October–December 2026, a chest freezer costs about 14p a day, or £53 a year.
PER DAY
14prunning all dayPER YEAR
£53200 kWh on the energy labelWork out your own cost
Choose your region or type in your own unit rate, then change the energy per day and number of days to match your appliance and how you use it. It starts with one year at the energy label figure.
200 kWh over 1 year · about £52.64 per year
How much electricity it uses
- Chest freezers on the UK market are labelled at 198 kWh a year (Fridgemaster MCF198EB, 191 litres), 200 kWh (Russell Hobbs RH198CF0E1W, 198 litres) and 235 kWh (Beko CF4308W, 308 litres).
- Chest freezers monitored in the Household Electricity Survey (2010–11) averaged 362 kWh a year.
| Example | Energy a year | Per day | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower | 198 kWh a year | 14p | £52 |
| Typical | 200 kWh a year | 14p | £53 |
| Higher | 235 kWh a year | 17p | £62 |
Usage assumption: Running all year, at the energy label’s annual consumption. This is our illustration, not a measured average; change it in the calculator.
What drives the cost
- Size and energy class.
- Where it stands: a warm room makes it work harder.
- Frost: a thick layer of ice reduces efficiency, so defrost it regularly.
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chest freezer | 1 day | 0.55 kWh | 14p |
| Fridge freezer | 1 day | 0.66 kWh | 17p |
Ways to spend less
- The Energy Saving Trust suggests choosing the smallest freezer that meets your needs, with the highest energy-efficiency rating.
Unit rates vary by region: this period they run from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. See every region’s rate →
Questions
How much does a chest freezer cost to run per year?
At 26.32p per kWh (the GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT), a chest freezer using 200 kWh a year on its energy label costs about £53 a year, or 14p a day. The models we cite (198 to 235 kWh a year) cost £52 to £62.
Will a chest freezer use what its energy label says?
The energy label figure assumes standard test conditions. Room temperature, how full it is and how often the door is opened change real use, so treat £53 as a guide rather than a bill.
Does the cost depend on where I live?
Yes, a little. Price-cap electricity unit rates for October–December 2026 range from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Pick your region in the calculator, or enter the unit rate from your bill if you are on a fixed or time-of-use tariff.
About these figures
Running costs are energy used × unit rate. They exclude the daily standing charge, which you pay whether or not the appliance runs. Annual energy comes from the energy label, measured under standard test conditions. Power ratings and energy figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.
Other appliances
Sources
- EPREL product information sheet: Fridgemaster MCF198EB chest freezer ↗198 kWh a year, class E, 191 litres.
- EPREL product information sheet: Russell Hobbs RH198CF0E1W chest freezer ↗200 kWh a year, class E, 198 litres.
- EPREL product information sheet: Beko CF4308W chest freezer ↗235 kWh a year, class E, 308 litres.
- Household Electricity Survey final report (DEFRA, DECC and Energy Saving Trust, 2012, PDF) ↗Measured appliance use in 250 English homes, 2010–11: annual kWh by appliance, cycles per year and energy per cycle.
- Energy Saving Trust: what appliances drive up electricity bills most ↗Fridge and freezer share of bills and lifespan; washing, dishwasher and microwave advice.
- Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges ↗GB average electricity unit rate and VAT basis, October–December 2026.
Last updated 11 October 2026. Figures are dated benchmarks taken from the sources above. How we use sources →