How Much Does An Air Conditioner Cost to Run?
An air conditioner typically uses 1,500 watts. At 8 hours a day, drawing full power about 60% of the time, and $0.175/kWh, it costs about $1.26 per day, $37.80 per month and $459.90 per year.
Calculate your own cost
- Per hour
- $0.1580.9 kWh
- Per day
- $1.267.2 kWh
- Per week
- $8.8250.4 kWh
- Per month (30 days)
- $37.80216 kWh
- Per year
- $459.902,628 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 air conditioner cost per hour?
At $0.175/kWh, it costs $0.158 per hour. The maths: 1,500 W ÷ 1,000 = 1.5 kWh per hour, × $0.175 = $0.263. This page assumes it draws full power about 60% of the time, so the hourly figure shown is lower.
How much does it cost per month?
Used 8 hours a day for 30 days, it costs about $37.80 per month and uses 216 kWh. Change the hours in the calculator above to match how you use it.
How many kWh does it use?
7.2 kWh per day, 216 kWh per month and 2,628 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 $21.60 and at 30¢ it is $64.80. 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 | 0.9 kWh | $0.158 | $4.73 | $57.49 |
| 2 hours | 1.8 kWh | $0.315 | $9.45 | $114.98 |
| 3 hours | 2.7 kWh | $0.473 | $14.18 | $172.46 |
| 4 hours | 3.6 kWh | $0.63 | $18.90 | $229.95 |
| 5 hours | 4.5 kWh | $0.788 | $23.63 | $287.44 |
| 6 hours | 5.4 kWh | $0.945 | $28.35 | $344.93 |
| 7 hours | 6.3 kWh | $1.10 | $33.08 | $402.41 |
| 8 hours | 7.2 kWh | $1.26 | $37.80 | $459.90 |
| 9 hours | 8.1 kWh | $1.42 | $42.53 | $517.39 |
| 10 hours | 9 kWh | $1.58 | $47.25 | $574.88 |
| 11 hours | 9.9 kWh | $1.73 | $51.98 | $632.36 |
| 12 hours | 10.8 kWh | $1.89 | $56.70 | $689.85 |
| 13 hours | 11.7 kWh | $2.05 | $61.43 | $747.34 |
| 14 hours | 12.6 kWh | $2.21 | $66.15 | $804.83 |
| 15 hours | 13.5 kWh | $2.36 | $70.88 | $862.31 |
| 16 hours | 14.4 kWh | $2.52 | $75.60 | $919.80 |
| 17 hours | 15.3 kWh | $2.68 | $80.33 | $977.29 |
| 18 hours | 16.2 kWh | $2.84 | $85.05 | $1,034.78 |
| 19 hours | 17.1 kWh | $2.99 | $89.78 | $1,092.26 |
| 20 hours | 18 kWh | $3.15 | $94.50 | $1,149.75 |
| 21 hours | 18.9 kWh | $3.31 | $99.23 | $1,207.24 |
| 22 hours | 19.8 kWh | $3.47 | $103.95 | $1,264.73 |
| 23 hours | 20.7 kWh | $3.62 | $108.68 | $1,322.21 |
| 24 hours | 21.6 kWh | $3.78 | $113.40 | $1,379.70 |
How we worked it out
- Energy per hour: 1,500 W ÷ 1,000 = 1.5 kWh, × 60% of the time at full power = 0.9 kWh
- Cost per hour: 0.9 kWh × $0.175 = $0.158
- Cost per day: × 8 hours = $1.26
- Month and year: × 30 days = $37.80, × 365 days = $459.90
What it costs in different places
Same 1,500-watt air conditioner, 8 hours a day. Only the local electricity rate changes.
| Place | Rate per kWh | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $0.175 | $37.80 |
| California | $0.32 | $69.12 |
| Texas | $0.155 | $33.48 |
| New York | $0.25 | $54.00 |
| Florida | $0.155 | $33.48 |
| Illinois | $0.17 | $36.72 |
| Pennsylvania | $0.18 | $38.88 |
| Ohio | $0.17 | $36.72 |
| Washington | $0.115 | $24.84 |
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 full power about 60% of the time, because it cycles on and off.
- 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.