How Much Does a 1,500-watt portable air conditioner Cost to Run?
A 1,500-watt portable air conditioner uses 1.5 kWh per hour and costs $0.263 per hour at $0.175/kWh. Used 8 hours a day, that is $2.10 per day, $63.00 per month and $766.50 per year.
Calculate your own cost
- Per hour
- $0.2631.5 kWh
- Per day
- $2.1012 kWh
- Per week
- $14.7084 kWh
- Per month (30 days)
- $63.00360 kWh
- Per year
- $766.504,380 kWh
Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × rate. Edit any box and every number updates instantly.
People also ask
How much does a 1,500-watt portable air conditioner cost per hour?
At $0.175/kWh, it costs $0.263 per hour. The maths: 1,500 W ÷ 1,000 = 1.5 kWh per hour, × $0.175 = $0.263.
How much does it cost per month?
Used 8 hours a day for 30 days, it costs about $63.00 per month and uses 360 kWh. Change the hours in the calculator above to match how you use it.
How many kWh does it use?
12 kWh per day, 360 kWh per month and 4,380 kWh per year at 8 hours a day. A kWh is one kilowatt (1,000 W) used for one hour. It is the unit on your electricity bill.
How can I lower the cost?
Seal the window kit well and keep the exhaust hose short and straight. Check your bill for the exact rate and enter it above.
Does my electricity rate change the answer?
Yes, a lot. At 10¢ per kWh the monthly cost is $36.00 and at 30¢ it is $108.00. Find your rate on your bill (total cost ÷ kWh used) and type it into the calculator.
Cost by hours of use
| Used per day | Energy per day | Cost per day | Cost per month | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 1.5 kWh | $0.263 | $7.88 | $95.81 |
| 2 hours | 3 kWh | $0.525 | $15.75 | $191.63 |
| 3 hours | 4.5 kWh | $0.788 | $23.63 | $287.44 |
| 4 hours | 6 kWh | $1.05 | $31.50 | $383.25 |
| 5 hours | 7.5 kWh | $1.31 | $39.38 | $479.06 |
| 6 hours | 9 kWh | $1.58 | $47.25 | $574.88 |
| 7 hours | 10.5 kWh | $1.84 | $55.13 | $670.69 |
| 8 hours | 12 kWh | $2.10 | $63.00 | $766.50 |
| 9 hours | 13.5 kWh | $2.36 | $70.88 | $862.31 |
| 10 hours | 15 kWh | $2.63 | $78.75 | $958.13 |
| 11 hours | 16.5 kWh | $2.89 | $86.63 | $1,053.94 |
| 12 hours | 18 kWh | $3.15 | $94.50 | $1,149.75 |
| 13 hours | 19.5 kWh | $3.41 | $102.38 | $1,245.56 |
| 14 hours | 21 kWh | $3.68 | $110.25 | $1,341.38 |
| 15 hours | 22.5 kWh | $3.94 | $118.13 | $1,437.19 |
| 16 hours | 24 kWh | $4.20 | $126.00 | $1,533.00 |
| 17 hours | 25.5 kWh | $4.46 | $133.88 | $1,628.81 |
| 18 hours | 27 kWh | $4.73 | $141.75 | $1,724.63 |
| 19 hours | 28.5 kWh | $4.99 | $149.63 | $1,820.44 |
| 20 hours | 30 kWh | $5.25 | $157.50 | $1,916.25 |
| 21 hours | 31.5 kWh | $5.51 | $165.38 | $2,012.06 |
| 22 hours | 33 kWh | $5.78 | $173.25 | $2,107.88 |
| 23 hours | 34.5 kWh | $6.04 | $181.13 | $2,203.69 |
| 24 hours | 36 kWh | $6.30 | $189.00 | $2,299.50 |
How we worked it out
- Energy per hour: 1,500 W ÷ 1,000 = 1.5 kWh
- Cost per hour: 1.5 kWh × $0.175 = $0.263
- Cost per day: × 8 hours = $2.10
- Month and year: × 30 days = $63.00, × 365 days = $766.50
What it costs in different places
Same 1,500-watt portable air conditioner, 8 hours a day. Only the local electricity rate changes.
| Place | Rate per kWh | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $0.175 | $63.00 |
| California | $0.32 | $115.20 |
| Texas | $0.155 | $55.80 |
| New York | $0.25 | $90.00 |
| Florida | $0.155 | $55.80 |
| Illinois | $0.17 | $61.20 |
| Pennsylvania | $0.18 | $64.80 |
| Ohio | $0.17 | $61.20 |
| Washington | $0.115 | $41.40 |
About portable air conditioner running costs
Portable air conditioners are less efficient than window units because the hot exhaust hose heats the room.
Typical sizes: 900 W, 1,200 W, 1,500 W, 1,800 W.
How to spend less: Seal the window kit well and keep the exhaust hose short and straight.
What this estimate assumes
- The appliance draws its full stated wattage the whole time it is on. Real units with a thermostat cycle off and cost less.
- Wattage is the typical label value, not a measured value. Check the label on your own appliance.
- The rate is an approximate residential average. Your bill may include fixed fees, tiers or time-of-use pricing. Edit the rate above.
- A month is 30 days and a year is 365 days.