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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Air Conditioner (Window Unit) in the US? (2026)
Window and portable air conditioners range from small 5,000 BTU units around 500 watts to 15,000 BTU units near 1,500 watts. Cost scales with outdoor temperature, insulation, and how low you set the thermostat.
A typical air conditioner (window unit) (1,000 W) costs $0.18 per hour, or about $43.20 per month at 8 hours a day in United States (average). Expensive to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (500 W) | $0.090 | $0.72 | $21.60 | $262.80 |
| Typical (1,000 W) | $0.18 | $1.44 | $43.20 | $525.60 |
| High (1,500 W) | $0.27 | $2.16 | $64.80 | $788.40 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 8 h/day ≈ 2,920 kWh per year.
In the US, with electricity at $0.18 per kWh (source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, 2026-06), a typical air conditioner (window unit) costs $0.18 per hour and about $525.60 per year at 8 hours a day. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 5.6 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a air conditioner (window unit)
- Every degree you raise the thermostat saves roughly 3 to 5 percent of cooling cost.
- Clean or replace the filter monthly in summer.
- Seal the gaps around a window unit with foam. Warm air leaking in is the biggest hidden cost.
- Use a fan alongside the AC. Moving air feels several degrees cooler at almost no cost.
In standby it draws about 2 W, which adds roughly 18 kWh ($3.15) per year if it is never unplugged.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an AC all day?
A 1,000 watt unit running 8 hours uses 8 kWh, so multiply by your local rate. Use the table above with your region selected.
Is a portable AC more expensive to run than a window unit?
Usually yes. Portable units are less efficient because they pull conditioned room air out through the exhaust hose.
What does EER mean?
Energy Efficiency Ratio: BTU of cooling per watt. Higher is cheaper to run.
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Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India