How much does it cost to run a countertop ice maker?
A countertop ice maker averages about 150 watts over a full day as it cycles on and off. That works out to about 0.60 kWh per day, costing about $0.12 per day, $3.55 per month, and $42.51 per year at the US average residential rate of 19.4¢/kWh. Enter your own wattage and state below for an exact figure.
Estimates only — based on typical wattages and average state rates, not your actual bill.
What drives the cost
A standalone ice maker cycles a small compressor to freeze batches, running hardest when first filled and then intermittently to replace melted ice. Because most units have no insulation to speak of, ice melts and is re-made repeatedly, which is where the energy actually goes.
Cost at different daily usage
Same countertop ice maker at 150 watts, run for different amounts of time, at 19.4¢/kWh.
| Usage | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 h/day | 0.30 kWh | $0.06 | $1.77 | $21.25 |
| 4 h/day | 0.60 kWh | $0.12 | $3.55 | $42.51 |
| 6 h/day | 0.90 kWh | $0.17 | $5.32 | $63.76 |
| 8 h/day | 1.20 kWh | $0.23 | $7.09 | $85.02 |
Cost by model power draw
Not all models are equal. At 4 h/day, here is what the range costs.
| Model | Power | kWh/day | Per day | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low-draw model | 100 W | 0.40 kWh | $0.08 | $2.36 |
| Typical | 150 W | 0.60 kWh | $0.12 | $3.55 |
| High-draw model | 300 W | 1.20 kWh | $0.23 | $7.09 |
Cost by state
A countertop ice maker at 150 W for 4 h/day, priced at each state's average residential rate.
| State | Rate | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.8¢ | $0.10 | $3.06 | $36.73 |
| Alaska | 28.2¢ | $0.17 | $5.16 | $61.82 |
| Arizona | 15.2¢ | $0.09 | $2.78 | $33.35 |
| Arkansas | 14.4¢ | $0.09 | $2.62 | $31.45 |
| California | 33.2¢ | $0.20 | $6.07 | $72.82 |
| Colorado | 16.2¢ | $0.10 | $2.95 | $35.39 |
| Connecticut | 27.4¢ | $0.16 | $5.00 | $59.94 |
| Delaware | 19.4¢ | $0.12 | $3.54 | $42.44 |
| District of Columbia | 25.4¢ | $0.15 | $4.64 | $55.63 |
| Florida | 15.2¢ | $0.09 | $2.77 | $33.22 |
| Georgia | 15.8¢ | $0.10 | $2.89 | $34.69 |
| Hawaii | 52.0¢ | $0.31 | $9.50 | $113.88 |
| Idaho | 12.3¢ | $0.07 | $2.26 | $27.05 |
| Illinois | 23.9¢ | $0.14 | $4.36 | $52.23 |
| Indiana | 18.1¢ | $0.11 | $3.31 | $39.75 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $0.08 | $2.58 | $30.97 |
| Kansas | 15.1¢ | $0.09 | $2.76 | $33.13 |
| Kentucky | 15.0¢ | $0.09 | $2.74 | $32.81 |
| Louisiana | 14.2¢ | $0.08 | $2.58 | $30.99 |
| Maine | 28.6¢ | $0.17 | $5.23 | $62.70 |
| Maryland | 21.8¢ | $0.13 | $3.98 | $47.68 |
| Massachusetts | 28.8¢ | $0.17 | $5.26 | $63.12 |
| Michigan | 22.0¢ | $0.13 | $4.02 | $48.20 |
| Minnesota | 16.9¢ | $0.10 | $3.10 | $37.12 |
| Mississippi | 16.2¢ | $0.10 | $2.95 | $35.39 |
| Missouri | 13.7¢ | $0.08 | $2.50 | $29.96 |
| Montana | 14.7¢ | $0.09 | $2.68 | $32.13 |
| Nebraska | 13.6¢ | $0.08 | $2.48 | $29.76 |
| Nevada | 13.6¢ | $0.08 | $2.48 | $29.78 |
| New Hampshire | 27.3¢ | $0.16 | $4.99 | $59.85 |
| New Jersey | 23.3¢ | $0.14 | $4.25 | $50.96 |
| New Mexico | 14.1¢ | $0.08 | $2.58 | $30.92 |
| New York | 29.9¢ | $0.18 | $5.47 | $65.55 |
| North Carolina | 15.1¢ | $0.09 | $2.76 | $33.05 |
| North Dakota | 13.6¢ | $0.08 | $2.49 | $29.81 |
| Ohio | 19.5¢ | $0.12 | $3.57 | $42.75 |
| Oklahoma | 13.4¢ | $0.08 | $2.44 | $29.30 |
| Oregon | 16.3¢ | $0.10 | $2.97 | $35.63 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.6¢ | $0.13 | $3.94 | $47.19 |
| Rhode Island | 29.5¢ | $0.18 | $5.38 | $64.52 |
| South Carolina | 16.2¢ | $0.10 | $2.96 | $35.43 |
| South Dakota | 15.7¢ | $0.09 | $2.87 | $34.45 |
| Tennessee | 14.5¢ | $0.09 | $2.64 | $31.69 |
| Texas | 16.4¢ | $0.10 | $3.00 | $36.00 |
| Utah | 13.0¢ | $0.08 | $2.37 | $28.38 |
| Vermont | 24.9¢ | $0.15 | $4.55 | $54.51 |
| Virginia | 17.6¢ | $0.11 | $3.22 | $38.57 |
| Washington | 14.9¢ | $0.09 | $2.73 | $32.74 |
| West Virginia | 16.8¢ | $0.10 | $3.07 | $36.79 |
| Wisconsin | 19.7¢ | $0.12 | $3.61 | $43.23 |
| Wyoming | 14.8¢ | $0.09 | $2.70 | $32.41 |
How to cut the cost
- Switch it off when you are not actively using ice rather than letting it re-freeze meltwater all day.
- Move harvested ice to an insulated cooler or freezer instead of leaving it in the basket.
- Site it away from heat sources and give it ventilation clearance.
Compare with related appliances
Monthly cost at typical usage and 19.4¢/kWh.
Questions
Do countertop ice makers use a lot of power?
More than expected for their size, because uninsulated baskets mean the machine repeatedly re-freezes the same water. Turning it off between uses is the single biggest saving.
How do you calculate what a countertop ice maker costs to run?
Multiply its wattage by the hours it runs per day, divide by 1,000 to get kilowatt-hours, then multiply by your electricity rate. For a countertop ice maker: 150 W × 4 h ÷ 1,000 = 0.60 kWh per day, which at 19.4¢/kWh is $0.12 per day.
How many watts does a countertop ice maker use?
Typically 150 watts, with most models falling between 100 and 300 watts. The label on the appliance or its power supply gives the figure for your specific unit.