Cost to Run a 3,500-watt air conditioner for 2 hours in California
Running a 3,500-watt air conditioner for 2 hours uses 7 kWh and costs $2.24 at $0.32/kWh in California. Do that every day and it adds up to $67.20 a month.
Calculate your own cost
- Per hour
- $1.123.5 kWh
- Per day
- $2.247 kWh
- Per week
- $15.6849 kWh
- Per month (30 days)
- $67.20210 kWh
- Per year
- $817.602,555 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 $0.32/kWh, it costs $1.12 per hour. The maths: 3,500 W ÷ 1,000 = 3.5 kWh per hour, × $0.32 = $1.12.
How much does it cost per month?
Used 2 hours a day for 30 days, it costs about $67.20 per month and uses 210 kWh. Change the hours in the calculator above to match how you use it.
How many kWh does it use?
7 kWh per day, 210 kWh per month and 2,555 kWh per year at 2 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 $21.00 and at 30¢ it is $63.00. Find your rate on your bill (total cost ÷ kWh used) and type it into the calculator.
Cost by hours of use in California
| Used per day | Energy per day | Cost per day | Cost per month | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 3.5 kWh | $1.12 | $33.60 | $408.80 |
| 2 hours | 7 kWh | $2.24 | $67.20 | $817.60 |
| 3 hours | 10.5 kWh | $3.36 | $100.80 | $1,226.40 |
| 4 hours | 14 kWh | $4.48 | $134.40 | $1,635.20 |
| 5 hours | 17.5 kWh | $5.60 | $168.00 | $2,044.00 |
| 6 hours | 21 kWh | $6.72 | $201.60 | $2,452.80 |
| 7 hours | 24.5 kWh | $7.84 | $235.20 | $2,861.60 |
| 8 hours | 28 kWh | $8.96 | $268.80 | $3,270.40 |
| 9 hours | 31.5 kWh | $10.08 | $302.40 | $3,679.20 |
| 10 hours | 35 kWh | $11.20 | $336.00 | $4,088.00 |
| 11 hours | 38.5 kWh | $12.32 | $369.60 | $4,496.80 |
| 12 hours | 42 kWh | $13.44 | $403.20 | $4,905.60 |
| 13 hours | 45.5 kWh | $14.56 | $436.80 | $5,314.40 |
| 14 hours | 49 kWh | $15.68 | $470.40 | $5,723.20 |
| 15 hours | 52.5 kWh | $16.80 | $504.00 | $6,132.00 |
| 16 hours | 56 kWh | $17.92 | $537.60 | $6,540.80 |
| 17 hours | 59.5 kWh | $19.04 | $571.20 | $6,949.60 |
| 18 hours | 63 kWh | $20.16 | $604.80 | $7,358.40 |
| 19 hours | 66.5 kWh | $21.28 | $638.40 | $7,767.20 |
| 20 hours | 70 kWh | $22.40 | $672.00 | $8,176.00 |
| 21 hours | 73.5 kWh | $23.52 | $705.60 | $8,584.80 |
| 22 hours | 77 kWh | $24.64 | $739.20 | $8,993.60 |
| 23 hours | 80.5 kWh | $25.76 | $772.80 | $9,402.40 |
| 24 hours | 84 kWh | $26.88 | $806.40 | $9,811.20 |
How we worked it out
- Energy per hour: 3,500 W ÷ 1,000 = 3.5 kWh
- Cost per hour: 3.5 kWh × $0.32 = $1.12
- Cost per day: × 2 hours = $2.24
- Month and year: × 30 days = $67.20, × 365 days = $817.60
California electricity prices
California pays about $0.32 per kWh, which is 83% higher than the US average of $0.175. The same air conditioner would cost $36.75 a month at the national average.
What it costs in different places
Same 3,500-watt air conditioner, 2 hours a day. Only the local electricity rate changes.
| Place | Rate per kWh | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $0.175 | $36.75 |
| California | $0.32 | $67.20 |
| Texas | $0.155 | $32.55 |
| New York | $0.25 | $52.50 |
| Florida | $0.155 | $32.55 |
| Illinois | $0.17 | $35.70 |
| Pennsylvania | $0.18 | $37.80 |
| Ohio | $0.17 | $35.70 |
| Washington | $0.115 | $24.15 |
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 in California. 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.