I Ran a Toldness Ice Maker 24/7 to Track Its True Energy Cost

I Ran a Toldness Ice Maker 24/7 to Track Its True Energy Cost

I used to be the person frantically shaking a half-melted bag of gas station ice against the driveway at 11 PM because the freezer tray was empty. When my fridge's internal dispenser finally gave up the ghost, I decided to stop relying on luck and bought a toldness ice maker. It sits on my counter, humming away, but as someone who works from home and keeps a wattage meter nearby, I had to know: is this convenience quietly bleeding my bank account dry?

Quick Takeaways

  • Running the unit 24/7 costs less than a fancy latte per month.
  • The compressor draws about 100-115 watts during the active freeze cycle.
  • Idle power consumption is nearly zero once the basket is full.
  • Using cold water from the fridge reduces cycle time by about 2 minutes.

The Hidden Cost of Countertop Convenience

Adding another plug-in appliance to a kitchen already crowded with an air fryer and a high-end blender felt like a risk. I’ve always debated why you need a dedicated ice maker when a $2 plastic tray exists, but the speed is addictive. My main concern wasn't the counter space; it was the compressor. Most small appliances are energy hogs, and I feared my quest for the perfect iced Americano would spike my monthly utility bill into the red.

I decided to stop guessing. I wanted to see if the insulation in these modern units was actually good enough to keep ice from melting instantly, or if the motor was working overtime just to fight the ambient heat of my kitchen.

Setting Up the 30-Day Wattage Test

To get real data, I plugged my toldness ice maker into a Kill A Watt meter and left it there for a full month. I treated it like a member of the family. I filled it with tap water every morning, scooped ice as needed, and never turned it off. This specific sleek black ice maker looks great on the granite, but looks don't pay the power bill.

In the toldness.uk ice maker community, there is a lot of back-and-forth about whether it's better to leave the machine on or only fire it up when you're thirsty. I chose the 'always on' method to simulate the heaviest possible usage. The machine is rated for about 26 lbs of ice a day, though in my 72-degree kitchen, I found it hits closer to 22 lbs if you aren't hovering over it to empty the basket the second it's full.

The 'Making Ice' Phase vs. 'Keeping It Cold' Phase

Here is how the physics actually work. When you first hit 'start,' the compressor kicks in and the wattage jumps to around 110W. It stays there for about 7 to 9 minutes while it freezes the first batch of bullets. Once the ice drops into the basket, the machine goes into a short harvest mode. If the basket fills up, the sensors trip, and the machine enters a standby state.

This is where I was surprised. These machines aren't freezers; they are insulated coolers. The ice eventually melts, drips back into the reservoir, and gets recycled into new ice. While some might think this constant recycling wastes power, the water is already near-freezing, so the compressor only has to run for a few minutes to turn it back into solid cubes. It is far more efficient than starting with room-temperature tap water every time.

So, What Did It Actually Cost Me?

After 30 days of continuous operation, the meter read 21.6 kWh. At my local rate of about $0.15 per kWh, the total cost to run the machine for a month was $3.24. That is less than the price of two bags of ice from the grocery store. It turns out that an efficient countertop ice maker is surprisingly gentle on the grid.

The compressor is high-efficiency, and because it isn't trying to keep a massive chest freezer at sub-zero temperatures, it only works in short, controlled bursts. Even if your electricity rates are double mine, you're still looking at less than $7 a month for the luxury of never running out of ice during a heatwave.

3 Ways to Make Your Machine Run Even Cheaper

If you want to shave even more off that bill, start with chilled water. If you pour filtered water from a fridge pitcher into the reservoir, the first cycle happens significantly faster because the machine doesn't have to shed those initial 20 degrees of heat. It's a small win, but it adds up over a summer.

Second, if you aren't planning to produce ice for a weekend party, just turn it off at night. The insulation is decent, but it won't keep ice solid for eight hours without the compressor kicking on at least twice. Finally, keep the back of the unit at least six inches from the wall. The fan needs to exhaust heat; if it's crowded, the compressor runs hotter and longer, which is the fastest way to wear out the motor and waste energy.

FAQ

Does the ice maker stay cold like a freezer?

No. It is an insulated bin, not a freezer. If you don't use the ice, it will slowly melt and the machine will automatically turn that meltwater back into new ice cubes.

Is the toldness ice maker loud?

It’s about as loud as a small dishwasher. You’ll hear the fan and the occasional 'clink' when the ice drops into the plastic basket. I don't notice it anymore, but it might be annoying in a studio apartment.

Can I leave it on while I'm on vacation?

I wouldn't. While it has an automatic shut-off when it runs out of water, there is no reason to cycle water for a week while nobody is home. Just drain it using the plug on the bottom and leave the lid open to dry out.