Is an Efficient Chest Freezer Worth It in Australia? (2026)
With electricity at 35.0¢ per kWh in Australia, replacing a working chest freezer takes 5.5 years to pay back, which is slow. When yours needs replacing anyway, the extra cost of the efficient model comes back in 1.1 years.
An efficient chest freezer cuts electricity by 65%: about 310 kWh, worth A$108.50 a year in Australia. Worth it when replacing
- From
- Freezer from the 2000s in a garage, about 480 kWh a year
- To
- Current A or B-rated chest freezer, about 170 kWh a year
- Usage
- Always on
| Scenario | You pay | Payback | Net over its life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replace a working chest freezer now | A$600.00 | 5.5 years | A$1,028 |
| Replacing anyway: choose the efficient one | A$120.00 | 1.1 years | A$1,508 |
Prices are typical figures; type your own quotes above. Net over its life is the total saving over the years it lasts minus what you pay. It ignores inflation, interest and changes in electricity prices, which is conservative while prices are rising.
Our take
Choose an efficient model when the old freezer goes; the extra cost comes back in about two years. A garage freezer works harder in summer, which widens the gap and makes early replacement more attractive.
How the two models compare
| Inefficient | Efficient | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Freezer from the 2000s in a garage | Current A or B-rated chest freezer |
| Electricity per year | 480 kWh | 170 kWh |
| Cost per year here | A$168.00 | A$59.50 |
| Over 15 years | A$2,520 | A$892.50 |
Usage behind these figures: always on. Basis: EU label class ranges for freezers; ENERGY STAR guidance on pre-2010 freezers. The Chest Freezer page prices the appliance at its own typical hours, which you can change there.
The same upgrade in other countries
| Country | Saving per year | Payback, replacing now | Payback, replacing anyway | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States (average) | $56.85 | 10.6 years | 2.1 years | Worth it when replacing |
| United Kingdom | £81.59 | 7.4 years | 1.5 years | Worth it when replacing |
| Germany | €114.70 | 5.2 years | 1.0 years | Worth it when replacing |
| France | €62.03 | 9.7 years | 1.9 years | Worth it when replacing |
| Australia | A$108.50 | 5.5 years | 1.1 years | Worth it when replacing |
| Canada (average) | C$43.40 | 13.8 years | 2.8 years | Worth it when replacing |
Local electricity prices, with the same purchase price read in local currency, which is a simplification. The saving column is what matters: the higher the price of electricity, the faster any upgrade pays back.
Other upgrades in Australia, fastest payback first
- LED Light Bulbsaves A$32.90 a year · worth it now
- Dehumidifiersaves A$189.00 a year · worth it now
- Electric Water Heatersaves A$1,073 a year · worth it now
- Pool Pumpsaves A$491.40 a year · worth it now
- Wi-Fi Routersaves A$36.75 a year · worth it now
- Electric Sauna Heatersaves A$593.95 a year · worth it when replacing
- Hot Tubsaves A$894.25 a year · worth it when replacing
- Clothes Dryersaves A$157.50 a year · worth it when replacing
- Air Conditionersaves A$87.50 a year · worth it when replacing
- Refrigeratorsaves A$150.50 a year · worth it when replacing
- Desktop Computersaves A$107.45 a year · not for the electricity
- Space Heatersaves A$315.00 a year · not for the electricity
- Electric Stovesaves A$51.10 a year · worth it when replacing
- Dishwashersaves A$49.00 a year · worth it when replacing
- Washing Machinesaves A$33.25 a year · worth it when replacing
- Televisionsaves A$25.55 a year · worth it when replacing