Cost to Run a 3,500-watt air conditioner for 2 hours in Washington
Running a 3,500-watt air conditioner for 2 hours uses 7 kWh and costs $0.805 at $0.115/kWh in Washington. Do that every day and it adds up to $24.15 a month.
Calculate your own cost
- Per hour
- $0.4033.5 kWh
- Per day
- $0.8057 kWh
- Per week
- $5.6449 kWh
- Per month (30 days)
- $24.15210 kWh
- Per year
- $293.832,555 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 $0.115/kWh, it costs $0.403 per hour. The maths: 3,500 W ÷ 1,000 = 3.5 kWh per hour, × $0.115 = $0.403.
How much does it cost per month?
Used 2 hours a day for 30 days, it costs about $24.15 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 Washington
| Used per day | Energy per day | Cost per day | Cost per month | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 3.5 kWh | $0.403 | $12.08 | $146.91 |
| 2 hours | 7 kWh | $0.805 | $24.15 | $293.83 |
| 3 hours | 10.5 kWh | $1.21 | $36.23 | $440.74 |
| 4 hours | 14 kWh | $1.61 | $48.30 | $587.65 |
| 5 hours | 17.5 kWh | $2.01 | $60.38 | $734.56 |
| 6 hours | 21 kWh | $2.42 | $72.45 | $881.48 |
| 7 hours | 24.5 kWh | $2.82 | $84.53 | $1,028.39 |
| 8 hours | 28 kWh | $3.22 | $96.60 | $1,175.30 |
| 9 hours | 31.5 kWh | $3.62 | $108.68 | $1,322.21 |
| 10 hours | 35 kWh | $4.03 | $120.75 | $1,469.13 |
| 11 hours | 38.5 kWh | $4.43 | $132.83 | $1,616.04 |
| 12 hours | 42 kWh | $4.83 | $144.90 | $1,762.95 |
| 13 hours | 45.5 kWh | $5.23 | $156.98 | $1,909.86 |
| 14 hours | 49 kWh | $5.64 | $169.05 | $2,056.78 |
| 15 hours | 52.5 kWh | $6.04 | $181.13 | $2,203.69 |
| 16 hours | 56 kWh | $6.44 | $193.20 | $2,350.60 |
| 17 hours | 59.5 kWh | $6.84 | $205.28 | $2,497.51 |
| 18 hours | 63 kWh | $7.25 | $217.35 | $2,644.43 |
| 19 hours | 66.5 kWh | $7.65 | $229.43 | $2,791.34 |
| 20 hours | 70 kWh | $8.05 | $241.50 | $2,938.25 |
| 21 hours | 73.5 kWh | $8.45 | $253.58 | $3,085.16 |
| 22 hours | 77 kWh | $8.86 | $265.65 | $3,232.08 |
| 23 hours | 80.5 kWh | $9.26 | $277.73 | $3,378.99 |
| 24 hours | 84 kWh | $9.66 | $289.80 | $3,525.90 |
How we worked it out
- Energy per hour: 3,500 W ÷ 1,000 = 3.5 kWh
- Cost per hour: 3.5 kWh × $0.115 = $0.403
- Cost per day: × 2 hours = $0.805
- Month and year: × 30 days = $24.15, × 365 days = $293.83
Washington electricity prices
Washington pays about $0.115 per kWh, which is 34% lower 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 Washington. 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.