How much does it cost to run a air conditioner?
A typical air conditioner draws about 1500 watts. Used 8 hours a day, that works out to roughly $2.04 per day, $20.40 per month, and $244.80 per year on an average electricity rate of 17¢ per kWh. Central and window air conditioners are among the biggest summer energy drains in any home.
Air Conditioner running cost calculator
- Per day
- $2.04
- Per month
- $20.40
- Per year
- $244.80
- CO₂ / year
- 576 kg
Based on 1440 kWh per year. Adjust the price per kWh to match your latest electricity bill for an exact figure.
The number that matters most is your own electricity rate. Rates range from under 11¢ per kWh in some regions to over 30¢ in others, so the same air conditioner can cost two or three times as much depending on where you live. Enter your exact rate in the calculator above to get a figure tailored to your bill.
Over a full year this air conditioner uses about 1440 kWh of electricity and is responsible for roughly 576 kg of CO₂ emissions on an average grid. Reducing run time, or switching to a more efficient model, lowers both the cost and the footprint.
If this air conditioner is one you use daily, even small efficiency gains compound. Cutting its usage or wattage by 20% would save around $48.96 every year — money that an efficient replacement can recover over its lifetime.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to run a air conditioner per hour?
- At 1500 watts and a 17¢/kWh rate, a air conditioner costs about $0.26 per hour to run.
- How much electricity does a air conditioner use per month?
- Running 8 hours a day, a air conditioner uses roughly 120.0 kWh per month, costing about $20.40.
- Is a air conditioner expensive to run?
- Yes — at around $244.80 per year, a air conditioner is one of the more costly appliances to run, so efficiency upgrades pay off quickly.
- How can I reduce my air conditioner running costs?
- Use it during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use pricing, reduce daily run time, and consider an ENERGY STAR rated air conditioner, which uses less power for the same job.