How Much Does A Window Air Conditioner Cost to Run in California?
A window air conditioner typically uses 1,000 watts. At 8 hours a day, drawing full power about 60% of the time, and $0.32/kWh in California, it costs about $1.54 per day, $46.08 per month and $560.64 per year.
Calculate your own cost
- Per hour
- $0.1920.6 kWh
- Per day
- $1.544.8 kWh
- Per week
- $10.7533.6 kWh
- Per month (30 days)
- $46.08144 kWh
- Per year
- $560.641,752 kWh
Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × rate. Edit any box and every number updates instantly.
People also ask
How much does a 1,000-watt window air conditioner cost per hour?
At $0.32/kWh, it costs $0.192 per hour. The maths: 1,000 W ÷ 1,000 = 1 kWh per hour, × $0.32 = $0.32. 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 $46.08 per month and uses 144 kWh. Change the hours in the calculator above to match how you use it.
How many kWh does it use?
4.8 kWh per day, 144 kWh per month and 1,752 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 gaps around the unit and clean the filter regularly. 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 $14.40 and at 30¢ it is $43.20. 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 | 0.6 kWh | $0.192 | $5.76 | $70.08 |
| 2 hours | 1.2 kWh | $0.384 | $11.52 | $140.16 |
| 3 hours | 1.8 kWh | $0.576 | $17.28 | $210.24 |
| 4 hours | 2.4 kWh | $0.768 | $23.04 | $280.32 |
| 5 hours | 3 kWh | $0.96 | $28.80 | $350.40 |
| 6 hours | 3.6 kWh | $1.15 | $34.56 | $420.48 |
| 7 hours | 4.2 kWh | $1.34 | $40.32 | $490.56 |
| 8 hours | 4.8 kWh | $1.54 | $46.08 | $560.64 |
| 9 hours | 5.4 kWh | $1.73 | $51.84 | $630.72 |
| 10 hours | 6 kWh | $1.92 | $57.60 | $700.80 |
| 11 hours | 6.6 kWh | $2.11 | $63.36 | $770.88 |
| 12 hours | 7.2 kWh | $2.30 | $69.12 | $840.96 |
| 13 hours | 7.8 kWh | $2.50 | $74.88 | $911.04 |
| 14 hours | 8.4 kWh | $2.69 | $80.64 | $981.12 |
| 15 hours | 9 kWh | $2.88 | $86.40 | $1,051.20 |
| 16 hours | 9.6 kWh | $3.07 | $92.16 | $1,121.28 |
| 17 hours | 10.2 kWh | $3.26 | $97.92 | $1,191.36 |
| 18 hours | 10.8 kWh | $3.46 | $103.68 | $1,261.44 |
| 19 hours | 11.4 kWh | $3.65 | $109.44 | $1,331.52 |
| 20 hours | 12 kWh | $3.84 | $115.20 | $1,401.60 |
| 21 hours | 12.6 kWh | $4.03 | $120.96 | $1,471.68 |
| 22 hours | 13.2 kWh | $4.22 | $126.72 | $1,541.76 |
| 23 hours | 13.8 kWh | $4.42 | $132.48 | $1,611.84 |
| 24 hours | 14.4 kWh | $4.61 | $138.24 | $1,681.92 |
How we worked it out
- Energy per hour: 1,000 W ÷ 1,000 = 1 kWh, × 60% of the time at full power = 0.6 kWh
- Cost per hour: 0.6 kWh × $0.32 = $0.192
- Cost per day: × 8 hours = $1.54
- Month and year: × 30 days = $46.08, × 365 days = $560.64
California electricity prices
California pays about $0.32 per kWh, which is 83% higher than the US average of $0.175. The same window air conditioner would cost $25.20 a month at the national average.
What it costs in different places
Same 1,000-watt window air conditioner, 8 hours a day. Only the local electricity rate changes.
| Place | Rate per kWh | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $0.175 | $25.20 |
| California | $0.32 | $46.08 |
| Texas | $0.155 | $22.32 |
| New York | $0.25 | $36.00 |
| Florida | $0.155 | $22.32 |
| Illinois | $0.17 | $24.48 |
| Pennsylvania | $0.18 | $25.92 |
| Ohio | $0.17 | $24.48 |
| Washington | $0.115 | $16.56 |
About window air conditioner running costs
Window air conditioners cycle their compressor, so the average draw can be below the nameplate input. Larger units generally use more electricity.
Typical sizes: 500 W, 750 W, 1,000 W, 1,500 W.
How to spend less: Seal gaps around the unit and clean the filter regularly.
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 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.