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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Countertop Ice Maker in the US? (2026)
Countertop ice makers are small refrigeration units that run for as long as they are making ice. Left on all day they can use as much electricity as a full-size fridge.
A typical countertop ice maker (150 W) costs $0.027 per hour, or about $3.24 per month at 4 hours a day in United States (average). Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (100 W) | $0.018 | $0.072 | $2.16 | $26.28 |
| Typical (150 W) | $0.027 | $0.11 | $3.24 | $39.42 |
| High (250 W) | $0.045 | $0.18 | $5.40 | $65.70 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 4 h/day ≈ 219 kWh per year.
In the US, with electricity at $0.18 per kWh (source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, 2026-06), a typical countertop ice maker costs $0.027 per hour and about $39.42 per year at 4 hours a day. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 37.0 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a countertop ice maker
- Make a batch, empty it into the freezer, and switch off.
- Use cold water. Warm water makes each cycle longer.
- Keep the lid closed so melting ice does not trigger extra cycles.
In standby it draws about 1 W, which adds roughly 9 kWh ($1.58) per year if it is never unplugged.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does an ice maker use?
About 0.6 kWh for 4 hours of ice making, around 18 kWh a month with daily use.
Is it cheaper to buy bagged ice?
For occasional use, often yes. For daily use, home ice costs pennies per day.
Does a nugget ice maker use more power?
Slightly, because it runs an auger motor continuously alongside the compressor.
Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India