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Are you having problems with spoiled food? Look no further – chest freezers will prolong food life and also save you money by making sure nothing goes to waste. Plus, by using a chest freezer, you will be able to drastically expand your food storage capabilities without added clutter in your everyday freezer.
In our chest freezer buying guide, we are going to look into how they work, how you will benefit from using one, and its potential impact to your electricity bill.
What is a Chest Freezer?
As the name implies, chest freezers are shaped like a large chest or box. These appliances have a hinged lid that opens upward to give you convenient access. These freezers are typically kept in the basement or garage, where they provide additional long-term food storage without taking up space in the kitchen.
Generally speaking, they are also more affordable compared to conventional upright freezers, and last longer, too.
If you are on the fence about getting one, here are some reasons you may want to consider making the purchase:
- You can shop in bulk to save money, without food going to waste
- You can increase your food storage capabilities without taking up space in the kitchen
- Preserve specialty food and goods
- Add more freezer storage to your home with the energy efficiency of chest freezers
What Size Chest Freezer Do I Need?
As with any appliance, you need to make sure that the one you are looking to purchase is sized appropriately for your needs. Getting an optimally-sized freezer will ensure you buy an energy-efficient appliance that supports your food storage needs without breaking the bank.
Chest freezers come in various sizes, and while the measurements can be confusing, we'll break them down for you right here. The most common sizes on the market these days include:
- 3.5 cubic feet
- 5 cubic feet
- 7 cubic feet
Getting a model that is too small runs the risk of having insufficient food storage options, whereas getting one that is too big comes with high and wasted energy costs.
A good rule of thumb for determining the chest freezer size you need is by considering the size of your family. To get a good chest freezer size estimate, multiple the number of people in your household by 2.5 cubic feet. You'll know best your habits and intended usage but this will give you an approximate estimation to start with.
To learn more about selecting the appropriate chest freezer sizes, refer to our guide that answers the question, What Size Chest Freezer Do I Need?
Chest Freezer Energy Usage
Utility companies charge for electricity by the kilowatt-hour (kWh), which varies from company to company. You can calculate how much it costs to run your freezer by using your kWh costs and the wattage on your appliance.
First, divide the chest freezer wattage by 1,000 to get the kilowatt usage of your appliance. Then, multiply it by the expected running time of your chest freezer. Since this appliance will most likely be kept running around-the-clock, you can safely use 24 hours for this estimate. Finally, multiply this value by your kWh costs to determine the daily energy costs of your chest freezer.
This formula is:
Daily chest freezer energy cost = (Chest freezer wattage/1000) x 24 hours x cost per kWh
An average chest freezer runs at approximately 350 watts. This means it operates at .35 kWh. The average cost per kWh in the U.S. is 13¢. With these numbers, we can estimate that the energy usage of the average chest freezer costs about $1.09 per day.
If these energy costs sound high to you, don't worry! These appliances are becoming increasingly efficient, and there are many things you can do to lower these energy costs. First, look for a chest freezer with the Energy Star logo. Energy star appliances are proven to be energy efficient, helping you save on electricity bills. Plus, these appliances are much more efficient than your standard upright freezer.
For more details, check out our in-depth guide that explains what you can expect from chest freezer energy costs. Here are a few more tips for further reducing chest freezer energy costs:
- Routinely check door seals and remove frost build-up to keep your freezer efficient
- Regularly clean the condenser coils of dust
- Keep a clear space around the freezer to prevent heat buildup
How to Organize a Chest Freezer
Once you've decided on a chest freezer, you'll need to plan out how you'll organize it. Organizing your chest freezer is key to keeping food fresh and getting the most out of your appliance. One of the best solutions is to use chest freezer baskets and dividers. Alternatively, you may want to seek out chest freezers with built-in dividers or drawers for added convenience. In any case, refer to our guide on organizing your chest freezer to get the most out of your new appliance!
We hope our chest freezer buying guide has helped give you some insight into shopping for your perfect appliance. For more appliance buying guides, be sure to refer to all of our guides at Appliance Accreditor.