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How much does it cost to run a central air conditioner? ($107.10/mo)
Running a central air conditioner costs about $107.10 / month
($3.57/day at 6 h/day, $0.17/kWh).
($3.57/day at 6 h/day, $0.17/kWh).
Running cost calculator
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Central air conditioning is usually the single largest summer electricity cost, running a big compressor for hours at a time.
Cost at different electricity rates
| Electricity rate | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.10/kWh | $2.10 | $63.00 | $766.50 |
| $0.15/kWh | $3.15 | $94.50 | $1,149.75 |
| $0.20/kWh | $4.20 | $126.00 | $1,533.00 |
| $0.25/kWh | $5.25 | $157.50 | $1,916.25 |
| $0.30/kWh | $6.30 | $189.00 | $2,299.50 |
| $0.40/kWh | $8.40 | $252.00 | $3,066.00 |
Cost over time
| Per hour of use | $0.60 |
| Per day (6 h) | $3.57 |
| Per month | $107.10 |
| Per year | $1,303.05 |
How to spend less running a central air conditioner
- Cut the hours: A central air conditioner at 6 h/day runs about $107.10/month — trimming one hour saves roughly $17.85/month.
- Tune the setpoint: a degree or two changes how long the central air conditioner has to run.
- Upgrade efficiency: a newer central air conditioner near 3,000 W uses far less than an old 5,000 W one.
Want the raw figure? See how many watts a central air conditioner uses.
FAQ
How many watts does central AC use?
A typical central AC draws 3000-5000 watts, with a higher surge when the compressor starts.
How can I lower AC costs?
Raise the thermostat a few degrees, seal leaks and service the unit so it runs efficiently.
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