Countertop ice maker: electricity cost calculator
Quick answer: a typical countertop ice maker costs about $5/month while in use at the U.S. average electricity price (18.44¢/kWh) across a 8-month season (about $43/year). Your number depends on wattage, runtime and your state — calculate it below.
Portable ice makers draw 80–250 W while their small compressor runs. Making a full day's batches typically means 6–10 hours of compressor time, more in a hot kitchen.
0.96 kWh/day used · 29 kWh/month in use · 234 kWh/year at 18.44¢ per kWh (8 months of use per year)
Low, typical and heavy use
Monthly cost while in use, at the U.S. average price of 18.44¢/kWh.
| Scenario | Watts | Hours/day | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light use | 80 W | 4.8 h | $2.16 |
| Typical | 120 W | 8.0 h | $5.39 |
| Heavy use | 250 W | 12.0 h | $16.84 |
Common questions
Does a nugget ice maker cost much to run?
Popular countertop nugget machines average roughly 1 kWh per day when used daily — about $5.50 per month at the U.S. average price.
Cost in every state
Monthly cost of a typical countertop ice maker (120 W, 8h/day) at each state's average residential price, May 2026.
| State | Avg price | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.77¢ | $4.90 |
| Alaska | 28.23¢ | $8.25 |
| Arizona | 15.23¢ | $4.45 |
| Arkansas | 14.36¢ | $4.20 |
| California | 33.25¢ | $9.72 |
| Colorado | 16.16¢ | $4.72 |
| Connecticut | 27.37¢ | $8.00 |
| Delaware | 19.38¢ | $5.66 |
| District of Columbia | 25.40¢ | $7.42 |
| Florida | 15.17¢ | $4.43 |
| Georgia | 15.84¢ | $4.63 |
| Hawaii | 52.00¢ | $15.19 |
| Idaho | 12.35¢ | $3.61 |
| Illinois | 23.85¢ | $6.97 |
| Indiana | 18.15¢ | $5.30 |
| Iowa | 14.14¢ | $4.13 |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | $4.42 |
| Kentucky | 14.98¢ | $4.38 |
| Louisiana | 14.15¢ | $4.13 |
| Maine | 28.63¢ | $8.37 |
| Maryland | 21.77¢ | $6.36 |
| Massachusetts | 28.82¢ | $8.42 |
| Michigan | 22.01¢ | $6.43 |
| Minnesota | 16.95¢ | $4.95 |
| Mississippi | 16.16¢ | $4.72 |
| Missouri | 13.68¢ | $4.00 |
| Montana | 14.67¢ | $4.29 |
| Nebraska | 13.59¢ | $3.97 |
| Nevada | 13.60¢ | $3.97 |
| New Hampshire | 27.33¢ | $7.99 |
| New Jersey | 23.27¢ | $6.80 |
| New Mexico | 14.12¢ | $4.13 |
| New York | 29.93¢ | $8.75 |
| North Carolina | 15.09¢ | $4.41 |
| North Dakota | 13.61¢ | $3.98 |
| Ohio | 19.52¢ | $5.70 |
| Oklahoma | 13.38¢ | $3.91 |
| Oregon | 16.27¢ | $4.75 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.55¢ | $6.30 |
| Rhode Island | 29.46¢ | $8.61 |
| South Carolina | 16.18¢ | $4.73 |
| South Dakota | 15.73¢ | $4.60 |
| Tennessee | 14.47¢ | $4.23 |
| Texas | 16.44¢ | $4.80 |
| Utah | 12.96¢ | $3.79 |
| Vermont | 24.89¢ | $7.27 |
| Virginia | 17.61¢ | $5.15 |
| Washington | 14.95¢ | $4.37 |
| West Virginia | 16.80¢ | $4.91 |
| Wisconsin | 19.74¢ | $5.77 |
| Wyoming | 14.80¢ | $4.32 |
Related calculators
Refrigerator Runs 24/7, but the compressor only works part-time.
~150 W · 8h/day →
Garage refrigerator Usually an old unit in a hot space — a double penalty.
~200 W · 10h/day →
Upright freezer Frost-free convenience costs extra energy.
~120 W · 8h/day →
Chest freezer The cheapest cold storage per cubic foot.
~90 W · 8h/day →
Microwave High draw, short bursts — cheaper than the oven for small jobs.
~1,100 W · 0.25h/day →
Electric oven Preheating and long bakes are where the money goes.
~2,400 W · 1h/day →
Methodology & sources
Cost = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × price per kWh. Electricity prices are average residential prices by state from the EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (May 2026). EIA averages include delivery charges and taxes but are not any specific utility tariff — for an exact figure, use the rate from your own bill. Wattage presets reflect common product ranges; check your appliance's nameplate or a plug-in power meter for its true draw.
Last verified: July 30, 2026. Prices refresh automatically each month when EIA publishes new data.