Is top or bottom freezer more efficient?

Author: Ara Windler  |  Last update: Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Bottom freezers are generally more roomier than top freezers and can adapt better to larger frozen items, such as that massive bird we mentioned earlier. Energy Efficiency Winner: Top FreezerIn general, top freezers are more energy efficient than bottom freezers.

Is it better to have a top freezer or bottom freezer?

Bottom. Cool air tends to move down, so it's best to to buy bottom freezer as the cooling will be stored more efficiently and it'll not lose it's air. A top freezer wastes a lot of cooling when it is opened.

What is the disadvantage of a bottom freezer?

Limited Freezer Space: If you like storing a large amount of food in your freezer, a drawer at the bottom of your fridge probably won't have enough space for your needs. Increased Cost: Bottom freezer refrigerators provide many benefits, but they do come at a higher price point than options with the freezer on top.

Which style of freezer is most energy efficient?

Chest freezers are more efficient than upright models because they typically have more insulation and cold air does not sink out of them when they are opened. Some utilities offer rebates or other incentives for the purchase of ENERGY STAR-qualified products.

What is the most economical way to run a freezer?

A freezer will run more efficiently when full. This is because it doesn't have to work as hard to cool down the internal temperature. It is therefore cheaper to run a freezer that is full.

Top Freezer Vs. Bottom Freezer | Which is Best For You?

Is it cheaper to run a chest freezer or upright freezer?

Upright freezers use more electricity than deep freezers.

They lose more chilly air every time you open them, so they can be more expensive to operate.

How do I reduce the cost of running my freezer?

Day-to-day use
  1. Allow food to cool before putting it in the fridge.
  2. Don't overfill your fridge or freezer as this will interfere with the circulation of cold air.
  3. Try not to open the door too often or leave it open too long.
  4. Avoid stacking food packages together in freezers so they won't freeze together.

Why are top freezers cheaper?

Why are top freezer refrigerators cheap? Some of the most affordable refrigerators on the market have freezers built into the top. These refrigerators are usually simple and don't have a lot of advanced features. This makes them cheaper.

Does a full freezer use more electricity?

The good news is that it doesn't ultimately matter much whether you keep your freezer full or empty. The exception is if you live in an area where power outages are common: if that's you, you'll want to keep your freezer full to help keep foods cold longer when you lose electricity.

What are the disadvantages of a frost free freezer?

The Potential Drawbacks of Going Frost-Free
  • Higher Initial Cost. It's true that frost-free freezers typically come with a higher price tag than their manual defrost counterparts. ...
  • Slightly Higher Energy Consumption. ...
  • Potential for Freezer Burn. ...
  • Noise Considerations.

Why do people like bottom freezers?

Space-Saving Benefits

With lift-out baskets and sliding drawers, you can access food without digging through precariously stacked items. The majority of bottom-mounted freezers are also larger than top-mounted styles, making it easier to store large items like a whole turkey or a frozen pizza.

Why is the bottom freezer refrigerator not popular?

With a bottom freezer refrigerator, some of the drawbacks include: Difficult access to frozen items. You will need to bend over to access all your frozen items, and due to the setup and drawers these freezers have, it can be difficult to see items in your freezer because you will often need to stack them.

Where not to put a freezer?

Do not install the freezer near an oven, radiator, or other heat source, nor in a location where the temperature will fall below 40°F or exceed 110°F. Allow at least 3" (7.5 cm) of air space at the top and on both sides of the freezer and 2" (2.5 cm) between the back of the freezer and the wall.

What are the disadvantages of a bottom freezer?

Bottom freezer fridge cons
  • Bending is required to access frozen items.
  • Cost upfront can be higher depending on the model.
  • Lifting heavy frozen foods from a lower position can be challenging.

Is it better to keep a freezer full or empty?

The majority of the energy your freezer uses goes towards cooling down the air that comes in when you open the freezer door. When your freezer is full, there is less room for warmer air to take up, and the items that are in there help to cool down any air that does sneak in. So keeping it full means less energy used.

Where is the best place to put a deep freezer?

Make sure to find a place at home that has little to no humidity. A space with more humidity will require more energy to cool since the water molecules in the air also require cooling. It will also work in your favour to find a cool room so that you don't need to set the temperature of your deep freezer too low.

Which is more energy-efficient top or bottom freezer?

As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy, top freezers use about 10 to 25 percent less energy than bottom freezers, which helps reduce your energy bill, electricity consumption, and carbon footprint.

What do ice crystals mean on frozen food?

If there are small ice crystals, this shows that the food has lost its moisture. If the ice crystals are very large, this may indicate that the meat has thawed and refrozen, meaning that it is likely to spoil.

Can you leave a freezer running empty?

A freezer that remains unused for more than a year may develop some issues. To counteract this, consider running the freezer periodically, even if it's empty. This practice helps maintain an optimal internal temperature and prevents the compressor from becoming stagnant.

What time of year are freezers cheapest?

The best time of year to buy household appliances is usually from Labor Day through the end of October. This is when retailers are looking to clear out inventory to make room for the newer models that show up in November. Shop early fall for great discounts on appliances.

Is it better to buy a frost free freezer?

Convenience: If you prefer minimal maintenance and convenience, a frost-free freezer is likely the best choice. Energy efficiency: If reducing energy consumption is a priority, a manual defrost freezer may be more suitable. Budget: Consider your budget for both the initial purchase and ongoing energy costs.

Why are top-loaded freezers more efficient?

- Top Freezer Efficiency: Generally, top freezer models are more energy-efficient due to their simpler design and smaller size. - Side-by-Side Advances: Modern side-by-side refrigerators have improved their energy consumption with advanced cooling systems and better insulation.

What temperature should a freezer be to save money?

Check the temperature of your refrigerator and freezer with a thermometer. Set them to whichever setting allows the refrigerator temperature to remain between 35 and 38 degrees, and your freezer between 0 and 5 degrees. A refrigerator set 10 degrees colder uses up to 25 percent more energy.

Which is cheaper to run chest freezer or upright freezer?

Chest freezers tend to be slightly more affordable than upright freezers and may be less expensive to run. They also are more likely to keep your frozen foods frozen during a power outage because they hold a more consistent temperature. Overall, a chest freezer is a more economical option.

How much does it cost to run a washing machine for 1 hour?

If you have a 2100W (2.1 kW) washing machine and you run it for an hour, it'll use 2.1kWh of electricity in that hour. If electricity costs 34p per unit, multiply 2.1kWh by 34p and you get a grand total of 71p.

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