Air Conditioner Electricity Cost Calculator
Estimate cooling costs without assuming the compressor runs at full power all day.
Your usage
Example inputsResults update as you type. All costs are in U.S. dollars. See result ↓
For your own rate, add per-kWh supply and delivery charges; leave out fixed fees. Find it on your bill →
Example result — edit inputs to match your use
Estimated electricity cost144 kWh per month at 18.31¢/kWh
(1000 W ÷ 1,000) × 8 h × 30 days × 60% × $0.1831 = $26.37At these watts and active time: $0.11 per scheduled hour.
Daily is one day of use. Annual repeats your monthly schedule 12 times (not a 365-day forecast). Rates are held constant. Actual use may vary.
↑ Edit inputsUse electrical input watts, not cooling BTUs
Look for input power in watts on the unit or manufacturer’s specifications. BTU/h describes cooling output and cannot be entered as watts. A rated maximum can overstate average use, especially on inverter models. A suitable energy monitor or measured kWh is more informative.
Account for cycling and the cooling season
Active time is the share of scheduled hours spent at the entered power. At 60% active time, an 8-hour schedule is modeled as 4.8 full-power hours. Weather, insulation, setpoint, fan-only use, and variable-speed operation change consumption. Annual costs repeat your monthly pattern 12 times; for seasonal use, multiply the monthly estimate by your number of cooling months instead.
Does a lower thermostat setting cost more?
It can increase compressor runtime, but there is no universal dollar amount per degree. Change active time or measured use to compare scenarios; the calculator does not simulate your building.
Make the estimate yours
Replace the example values with measurements or the product label. Select your state for an official average, then override it with your bill’s variable rate when available.
Read the calculations and assumptionsAir conditioner cost at different electricity rates
This static worked example uses 1,000 W × 8 hours/day × 30 days × 60% active time. These chosen rates show price sensitivity; they are not utility offers. The interactive result above uses your edited inputs.
| Electricity price | Monthly cost | Annual cost* |
|---|---|---|
| 12¢/kWh | $17.28 | $207.36 |
| 20¢/kWh | $28.80 | $345.60 |
| 30¢/kWh | $43.20 | $518.40 |
*Annual cost repeats this monthly pattern 12 times. Use your actual season length for seasonal equipment. Values are rounded only for display.
Practical energy guides
Watts to kWh: Calculate Energy Use and Electricity Cost
Convert watts, kilowatts, and minutes into kWh with worked examples. Learn why a wattage alone cannot tell you monthly electricity use.
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