Home / Heating & Cooling / Cost to run Window air conditioner
How much does it cost to run a window air conditioner? ($27.54/mo)
Running a window air conditioner costs about $27.54 / month
($0.92/day at 6 h/day, $0.17/kWh).
($0.92/day at 6 h/day, $0.17/kWh).
Running cost calculator
Per hour—
Per day—
Per month—
Per year—
Energy/mo—
A window AC cools one room, so it draws far less than central air but still runs for long stretches in summer.
Cost at different electricity rates
| Electricity rate | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.10/kWh | $0.54 | $16.20 | $197.10 |
| $0.15/kWh | $0.81 | $24.30 | $295.65 |
| $0.20/kWh | $1.08 | $32.40 | $394.20 |
| $0.25/kWh | $1.35 | $40.50 | $492.75 |
| $0.30/kWh | $1.62 | $48.60 | $591.30 |
| $0.40/kWh | $2.16 | $64.80 | $788.40 |
Cost over time
| Per hour of use | $0.15 |
| Per day (6 h) | $0.92 |
| Per month | $27.54 |
| Per year | $335.07 |
How to spend less
- Run it fewer hours or on an eco / lower setting.
- Upgrade to a more efficient model (check the energy label).
- Use a smart plug or timer to kill standby and idle draw.
Want the raw figure? See how many watts a window air conditioner uses.
FAQ
How many watts does a window AC use?
Around 500-1500 watts depending on the cooling capacity (BTU rating).
What size generator runs a window AC?
Plan for the startup surge - many need 1500-2000 starting watts even if running watts are lower.
More in Heating & Cooling