{
  "slug": "freezer-storage-cost",
  "title": "Bulk Buying & Freezer Storage Calculator",
  "heading": "Bulk Buying Savings Calculator",
  "category": "other",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/freezer-storage-cost",
  "summary": "Does buying in bulk beat the freezer's running cost and spoilage?",
  "description": "Bulk pricing looks great until you count spoilage and the electricity your chest freezer burns all year. This compares unit price against the true landed cost.",
  "formula": "Effective unit cost = (bulk price ÷ usable units) + freezer energy share.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=freezer-storage-cost",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "bulkPrice",
      "label": "Bulk pack price",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 60,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "units",
      "label": "Units in the pack",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 24,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "spoil",
      "label": "Expected waste",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 8,
      "unit": "%",
      "min": 0,
      "max": 100
    },
    {
      "id": "normal",
      "label": "Normal unit price",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 3.25,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "freezerKwh",
      "label": "Freezer use",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 350,
      "unit": "kWh/yr",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "rate",
      "label": "Electricity rate",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 0.17,
      "unit": "$/kWh",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "packsPerYear",
      "label": "Bulk packs per year",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 12,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "effective",
      "label": "True cost per unit",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "savingsPerUnit",
      "label": "Savings vs normal price",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "annual",
      "label": "Annual savings",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "energy",
      "label": "Freezer energy per pack",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Bulk pack price: 60 $",
      "Units in the pack: 24",
      "Expected waste: 8 %",
      "Normal unit price: 3.25 $",
      "Freezer use: 350 kWh/yr",
      "Electricity rate: 0.17 $/kWh",
      "Bulk packs per year: 12"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "True cost per unit: $2.94",
      "Savings vs normal price: $0.31",
      "Annual savings: $82",
      "Freezer energy per pack: $4.96"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter bulk pack price ($).",
      "Enter units in the pack.",
      "Enter expected waste (%).",
      "Enter normal unit price ($).",
      "Enter freezer use (kWh/yr).",
      "Enter electricity rate ($/kWh).",
      "Enter bulk packs per year.",
      "Read your true cost per unit on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "bulkPrice": 36,
        "units": 14,
        "spoil": 5,
        "normal": 1.95,
        "freezerKwh": 210,
        "rate": 0.17,
        "packsPerYear": 7
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "bulkPrice": 60,
        "units": 24,
        "spoil": 8,
        "normal": 3.25,
        "freezerKwh": 350,
        "rate": 0.17,
        "packsPerYear": 12
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "bulkPrice": 96,
        "units": 38,
        "spoil": 13,
        "normal": 5.2,
        "freezerKwh": 560,
        "rate": 0.17,
        "packsPerYear": 19
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.",
    "Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.",
    "Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Why include freezer energy?",
      "a": "A dedicated chest freezer typically runs $40–$80 a year. If it exists only to hold bulk buys, that cost belongs in the comparison."
    },
    {
      "q": "What waste rate is realistic?",
      "a": "5–10% for frozen proteins, higher for produce and anything you buy because it was on sale rather than because you eat it."
    }
  ],
  "related": [],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Bulk Buying & Freezer Storage Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/freezer-storage-cost)"
}