If you own a freezer or are planning to buy one, you might be wondering how many amps your freezer uses. Amps, or amperes, are a measure of electric current that flows through a circuit. Knowing how many amps your freezer uses can help you understand how much electricity it consumes, how much it costs to run, and whether it needs a dedicated circuit or not.
In this post, we’ll unveil the mystery of how many amps your freezer uses. We’ll explain what factors affect the amp draw of your freezer, how to find out the amp rating of your freezer, and how to compare different types of freezers based on their amp usage. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about freezer amps and provide some charts and tables for reference.
A freezer can use 0.5 to 15 amps of electricity, depending on the brand, size, capacity, and efficiency of the freezer. A freezer also uses more amps when it starts up than when it runs continuously. The average amp rating of a freezer is 1.1 to 1.7 amps for the most popular sizes from 5 to 15 cubic feet.
What Factors Affect the Amp Draw of Your Freezer?
The amp draw of your freezer is the amount of electric current that your freezer uses to operate. The amp draw of your freezer can vary depending on several factors, such as:
- The size of your freezer: The size of your freezer is measured by the cubic feet (cu.ft.) of storage capacity. The larger the size of your freezer, the more amps it will use to cool down and maintain the temperature of the food inside.
- The type of your freezer: The type of your freezer refers to how the freezer section is integrated or separated from the fridge section. There are two main types: chest freezers and upright freezers. Chest freezers have a single door that opens from the top and are usually more energy-efficient than upright freezers. Upright freezers have a single or double door that opens from the front and are usually more convenient than chest freezers.
- The efficiency of your freezer: The efficiency of your freezer refers to how well your freezer uses electricity to cool down and maintain the temperature of the food inside. The efficiency of your freezer is indicated by the energy star rating, which is a voluntary program that certifies appliances that meet certain standards of energy efficiency. The higher the energy star rating, the lower the amp draw of your freezer.
- The startup and running amps of your freezer: The startup and running amps of your freezer refer to how much electric current your freezer uses when it starts up and when it runs continuously. The startup amps are usually higher than the running amps because your freezer needs more power to get the compressor going. The startup amps can be 2 to 3 times higher than the running amps in many cases.
How to Find Out the Amp Rating of Your Freezer?
The amp rating of your freezer is the maximum amount of electric current that your freezer can use under normal conditions. The amp rating of your freezer is usually indicated on a label or a sticker that is attached to the back or inside of your freezer. You can also find it on the user manual or the manufacturer’s website.
To find out the amp rating of your freezer, you need to look for two numbers: volts (V) and watts (W). Volts are a measure of electric potential that drives the current through a circuit. Watts are a measure of electric power that is consumed by an appliance. To calculate the amp rating of your freezer, you need to use this formula:
Amps = Watts / Volts
For example, if your freezer has a label that says 120V and 180W, then you can calculate its amp rating as follows:
Amps = 180 / 120 Amps = 1.5
This means that your freezer has an amp rating of 1.5 amps.
How to Compare Different Types of Freezers Based on Their Amp Usage?
If you want to compare different types of freezers based on their amp usage, you need to consider their size, type, efficiency, and startup and running amps. Here are some general guidelines on how to compare different types of freezers based on their amp usage:
- Chest freezers usually use less amps than upright freezers because they have better insulation and less air leakage.
- Smaller freezers usually use less amps than larger freezers because they have less storage capacity and less surface area.
- More efficient freezers usually use less amps than less efficient freezers because they have better compressors and fans that consume less power.
- Freezers with lower startup and running amps usually use less amps than freezers with higher startup and running amps because they need less power to start up and run continuously.
To give you a better idea of how different types of freezers compare based on their amp usage, here are some charts and tables that show the average amp rating of some of the most popular and energy-efficient freezers on the market.
Chest Freezer Amps
| Size (cu.ft.) | Startup Amps | Running Amps |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 4 to 5 | <1 |
| 7 | 3 to 4.5 | 1.5 |
| 10 | 4.5 to 6 | 1.5 to 2 |
| 15 | 6 to 9 | 2 to 3 |
| 20 | 10 to 15 | 4 to 5 |
Upright Freezer Amps
| Size (cu.ft.) | Startup Amps | Running Amps |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 to 7.5 | <2 |
| 7 | 4.5 to 6.75 | 1.5 to 2.25 |
| 10 | 6 to 9 | 2 to 3 |
| 15 | 9 to 13.5 | 3 to 4.5 |
| 20 | 12 to 18 | 4 to 6 |
FAQs About Freezer Amps
Here are some frequently asked questions about freezer amps and their answers.
What is the difference between amps and watts?
Amps and watts are both measures of electric power, but they are not the same thing. Amps are a measure of electric current that flows through a circuit. Watts are a measure of electric power that is consumed by an appliance. Watts are calculated by multiplying amps by volts.
How many watts does a freezer use?
The number of watts that a freezer uses depends on its amp rating and its voltage. To calculate the number of watts that a freezer uses, you need to multiply its amp rating by its voltage. For example, if your freezer has an amp rating of 1.5 amps and a voltage of 120 volts, then you can calculate its number of watts as follows:
