Cost to Run a 3,500-watt air conditioner for 8 hours
Running a 3,500-watt air conditioner for 8 hours uses 28 kWh and costs $4.90 at $0.175/kWh. Do that every day and it adds up to $147.00 a month.
Calculate your own cost
- Per hour
- $0.6133.5 kWh
- Per day
- $4.9028 kWh
- Per week
- $34.30196 kWh
- Per month (30 days)
- $147.00840 kWh
- Per year
- $1,788.5010,220 kWh
Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × rate. Edit any box and every number updates instantly.
People also ask
How much does a 3,500-watt air conditioner cost per hour?
At $0.175/kWh, it costs $0.613 per hour. The maths: 3,500 W ÷ 1,000 = 3.5 kWh per hour, × $0.175 = $0.613.
How much does it cost per month?
Used 8 hours a day for 30 days, it costs about $147.00 per month and uses 840 kWh. Change the hours in the calculator above to match how you use it.
How many kWh does it use?
28 kWh per day, 840 kWh per month and 10,220 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?
Set the thermostat to 78°F (26°C), clean the filter monthly and shade sunny windows. 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 $84.00 and at 30¢ it is $252.00. 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 | 3.5 kWh | $0.613 | $18.38 | $223.56 |
| 2 hours | 7 kWh | $1.23 | $36.75 | $447.13 |
| 3 hours | 10.5 kWh | $1.84 | $55.13 | $670.69 |
| 4 hours | 14 kWh | $2.45 | $73.50 | $894.25 |
| 5 hours | 17.5 kWh | $3.06 | $91.88 | $1,117.81 |
| 6 hours | 21 kWh | $3.68 | $110.25 | $1,341.38 |
| 7 hours | 24.5 kWh | $4.29 | $128.63 | $1,564.94 |
| 8 hours | 28 kWh | $4.90 | $147.00 | $1,788.50 |
| 9 hours | 31.5 kWh | $5.51 | $165.38 | $2,012.06 |
| 10 hours | 35 kWh | $6.13 | $183.75 | $2,235.63 |
| 11 hours | 38.5 kWh | $6.74 | $202.13 | $2,459.19 |
| 12 hours | 42 kWh | $7.35 | $220.50 | $2,682.75 |
| 13 hours | 45.5 kWh | $7.96 | $238.88 | $2,906.31 |
| 14 hours | 49 kWh | $8.58 | $257.25 | $3,129.88 |
| 15 hours | 52.5 kWh | $9.19 | $275.63 | $3,353.44 |
| 16 hours | 56 kWh | $9.80 | $294.00 | $3,577.00 |
| 17 hours | 59.5 kWh | $10.41 | $312.38 | $3,800.56 |
| 18 hours | 63 kWh | $11.03 | $330.75 | $4,024.13 |
| 19 hours | 66.5 kWh | $11.64 | $349.13 | $4,247.69 |
| 20 hours | 70 kWh | $12.25 | $367.50 | $4,471.25 |
| 21 hours | 73.5 kWh | $12.86 | $385.88 | $4,694.81 |
| 22 hours | 77 kWh | $13.48 | $404.25 | $4,918.38 |
| 23 hours | 80.5 kWh | $14.09 | $422.63 | $5,141.94 |
| 24 hours | 84 kWh | $14.70 | $441.00 | $5,365.50 |
How we worked it out
- Energy per hour: 3,500 W ÷ 1,000 = 3.5 kWh
- Cost per hour: 3.5 kWh × $0.175 = $0.613
- Cost per day: × 8 hours = $4.90
- Month and year: × 30 days = $147.00, × 365 days = $1,788.50
What it costs in different places
Same 3,500-watt air conditioner, 8 hours a day. Only the local electricity rate changes.
| Place | Rate per kWh | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $0.175 | $147.00 |
| California | $0.32 | $268.80 |
| Texas | $0.155 | $130.20 |
| New York | $0.25 | $210.00 |
| Florida | $0.155 | $130.20 |
| Illinois | $0.17 | $142.80 |
| Pennsylvania | $0.18 | $151.20 |
| Ohio | $0.17 | $142.80 |
| Washington | $0.115 | $96.60 |
About air conditioner running costs
Window and split air conditioners use a compressor that cycles on and off. Watts depend on size, from about 500 W for a small unit to 3,500 W for a large one.
Typical sizes: 500 W, 900 W, 1,200 W, 1,500 W, 2,000 W, 3,500 W.
How to spend less: Set the thermostat to 78°F (26°C), clean the filter monthly and shade sunny windows.
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.