Rex says
Everyday utility math — the kind you'd otherwise pull up four browser tabs for. I keep it to one clean answer.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
True cost per unit
$2.94
Savings vs normal price
$0.31
Annual savings
$82
Freezer energy per pack
$4.96
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One click, a permanent link with your numbers baked in.
How to use this
- 1Enter bulk pack price ($).
- 2Enter units in the pack.
- 3Enter expected waste (%).
- 4Enter normal unit price ($).
- 5Enter freezer use (kWh/yr).
- 6Enter electricity rate ($/kWh).
- 7Enter bulk packs per year.
- 8Read your true cost per unit on the right — it updates as you type.
- 9Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
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.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
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
Results
- True cost per unit: $2.94
- Savings vs normal price: $0.31
- Annual savings: $82
- Freezer energy per pack: $4.96
What each field means
Inputs
- Bulk pack price ($)
- The bulk pack price used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 60 $ so you have a working example on load.
- Units in the pack
- The units in the pack used in the calculation. Starts at 24 so you have a working example on load.
- Expected waste (%)
- The expected waste used in the calculation, measured in %. Starts at 8 % so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 0–100 %.
- Normal unit price ($)
- The normal unit price used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 3.25 $ so you have a working example on load.
- Freezer use (kWh/yr)
- The freezer use used in the calculation, measured in kWh/yr. Starts at 350 kWh/yr so you have a working example on load.
- Electricity rate ($/kWh)
- The electricity rate used in the calculation, measured in $/kWh. Starts at 0.17 $/kWh so you have a working example on load.
- Bulk packs per year
- The bulk packs per year used in the calculation. Starts at 12 so you have a working example on load.
Results
- True cost per unit
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Savings vs normal price
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Annual savings
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Freezer energy per pack
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
FAQ
Why include freezer energy?
A dedicated chest freezer typically runs $40–$80 a year. If it exists only to hold bulk buys, that cost belongs in the comparison.
What waste rate is realistic?
5–10% for frozen proteins, higher for produce and anything you buy because it was on sale rather than because you eat it.
Accuracy and 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.
Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). Bulk Buying & Freezer Storage Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/freezer-storage-cost
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/freezer-storage-cost" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bulk Buying & Freezer Storage Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [Bulk Buying & Freezer Storage Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/freezer-storage-cost) (2026).