How much electricity does a freeze-dryer batch use?
Short answer: Roughly 13 to 60 kWh, depending on the machine's size and how long the batch runs. At the US average home rate of 18.31¢ per kWh (EIA, July 2026), that works out to about $2.36 to $10.89 a batch. Your own rate and batch length decide where you land.
Here's the formula, the published numbers behind it, and how to plug in your own. Estimates only; your cost depends on your rate, model, load and cycle length.
Updated: Oct 22, 2026
The formula
Energy per batch (kWh) = average power draw (kW) × batch length (hours)
Cost per batch = energy per batch (kWh) × your rate ($ per kWh)
Example: a machine averaging 1.1 kW that runs 24 hours uses 1.1 × 24 = 26.4 kWh. At $0.1831 per kWh, that's 26.4 × 0.1831 = about $4.83 for the batch.
The published numbers, worked out
Harvest Right publishes power draw for Small through X-Large and says most batches run 13 to 35 hours (Harvest Right electricity guide (opens in a new tab)). Here's what you get when you plug those into the formula at the July 2026 US average residential rate of 18.31¢ per kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (opens in a new tab), preliminary, released September 24, 2026):
| Harvest Right model | Published draw | kWh per batch (13 to 35 h) | Cost at 18.31¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small / Medium | about 0.99 to 1.21 kW (9 to 11 amps average) | 12.9 to 42.4 | $2.36 to $7.75 |
| Large | about 1.5 kW (listed with a 13-amp peak) | 19.5 to 52.5 | $3.57 to $9.61 |
| X-Large | Harvest Right lists about 15 amps average, roughly 1,700 W | 22.1 to 59.5 | $4.05 to $10.89 |
Low end: lowest published draw × 13 hours. High end: highest published draw × 35 hours. Candy batches can be much shorter. As of July 2026 EIA data. Estimates only; your cost depends on your rate, model, load and cycle length.
Harvest Right's own per-batch estimates come out lower: about $1.25 to $2.80 for Small and Medium, about $2 to $3 for Large, and about $4 for X-Large. It doesn't say what rate or batch length those assume, so treat both sets of numbers as rough estimates rather than a quote.
Your rate matters as much as the machine
In the same EIA table, July 2026 state averages ran from 12.72¢ per kWh (Louisiana) to 48.00¢ (Hawaii). The same 26.4 kWh batch would be about $3.36 at the low end and about $12.67 at the high end. Your bill shows your actual rate, and rates change month to month, so use your own number.
Other machines
Other makers don't publish kWh per batch. Blue Alpine lists 1,080 to 1,440 W average draw; put your machine's average draw and your usual batch length into the formula above. The batch time guide covers what makes a batch run long.
Run your own numbers
The payback calculator takes your rate and kWh per batch, adds food and supplies, and shows what a batch costs. It leaves out repairs, pump replacement and your time.