How is the running cost calculated?

Watts ÷ 1,000 × the electricity rate gives cost per hour; the yearly figure uses running continuously (350 kWh/year).

Does a higher star rating cut the cost?

Yes — efficiency ratings reduce the draw or energy per use, which scales the cost directly; the low–high wattage band spans efficient to inefficient models.

Why does the state matter?

Each state's usage rate differs, so the same hour costs $0.04–$0.06 depending on the state.

How much does it cost to run a chest freezer? (2026–27)

Name: Chest freezer running costs Australia 2026–27
Creator: EcoFlow AU — freezer power consumption
License: https://www.ecoflow.com/au/blog/freezer-power-consumption

At typical draw · official state tariffs

$0.04–$0.06 per hour at 140 W

Typical household use — running continuously (350 kWh/year) — runs $96–$147 a year depending on your state's tariff.

Wattage basis: Compressor-on draw 80–200 W; annual energy 200–500 kWh/yr by size (typical domestic 300–400).

Chest freezer running cost by state at typical draw (2026–27 reference tariffs)
State	Tariff c/kWh	Per hour	Typical year
New South Wales	33.1c	$0.05	$116
Victoria	27.5c	$0.04	$96
Queensland	28.0c	$0.04	$98
South Australia	41.9c	$0.06	$147
Western Australia	33.3c	$0.05	$116
Tasmania	28.0c	$0.04	$98
Australian Capital Territory	37.0c	$0.05	$129
Northern Territory	31.7c	$0.04	$111

Appliance running-cost calculator

NSW

State

Power draw (watts)

Chest freezer: 80–200 W typical range.

Hours per day

Days per year

Runs continuously; the most efficient cold-storage type.

$0.05 per hour · $68/year at your settings

Per day (4 h): $0.19
Per month: $5.64
Per year (365 days): $67.73

Tariff: 33.1c/kWh — AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8) for the Ausgrid network, effective 1 July 2026. Wattage basis: EcoFlow AU — freezer power consumption. Full chest freezer costs in NSW →

Cutting the cost

A full freezer runs more efficiently, so fill the gaps with water bottles if it's half-empty. Keep it somewhere cool rather than a hot garage or laundry, and defrost it before the ice builds up thick, since heavy frost makes it work harder. Check the lid seals firmly all round. If it's an old unit sitting barely used, consolidating and switching it off can quietly save plenty.

Frequently asked questions

How is the running cost calculated?: Watts ÷ 1,000 × your electricity rate = cost per hour. A chest freezer drawing 140 W on a 33.1c/kWh tariff costs $0.05 an hour — the calculator above lets you change every input. For this appliance the yearly figure uses its measured energy per use rather than a constant draw.
Does a higher star rating cut the cost?: Yes — the star rating compresses the power draw or energy per use, which scales this page's figures directly. The low–high band in the table (80–200 W) roughly spans efficient to inefficient models.
Why does the state matter?: The appliance draws the same power everywhere — but each state's reference usage rate differs, so the same hour of running costs $0.04 in the cheapest state and $0.06 in the dearest. Pick your state above for exact figures.

Sources — figures current as at 17 July 2026.

Costs use each state's representative-zone reference usage rate, effective 1 July 2026. Runs continuously; the most efficient cold-storage type.

How much does it cost to run a chest freezer? (2026–27)

Appliance running-cost calculator

Cutting the cost

Frequently asked questions

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