Is a window air conditioner expensive to run?

Cooling only the room you're in with a window unit is usually cheaper than running central AC for the whole house. At typical use it adds about $48.12 to a monthly electric bill at the US-average rate, but that swings from $33.61 in the cheapest states to $125.15 in the most expensive.

How many watts does a window air conditioner use?

Window Air Conditioner typically draws about 1,200 running watts. Because it has a motor or compressor, it briefly spikes to around 1,800 watts at startup, which matters for generator and breaker sizing but not for energy cost. Check the nameplate or label on your specific unit for its exact rating.

How much electricity (kWh) does a window air conditioner use?

At typical use (1,200 W for 8 hours a day), a window air conditioner uses about 9.6 kWh per day: roughly 292 kWh per month, or about 34% of what the average US home uses in a month (863 kWh). Energy used doesn't depend on your electricity rate; only the bill does.

How can I lower the cost of running a window air conditioner?

Cooling only the room you're in with a window unit is usually cheaper than running central AC for the whole house. You can also cut the cost by lowering your electricity rate (many utilities offer cheaper off-peak hours) or simply by running it fewer hours. The calculator on this page shows how changing hours per day or your electricity rate moves the number.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Window Air Conditioner?

A mid-size window AC unit draws around 1,200 running watts: cheap per hour, but it adds up over a long cooling season. At the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh, running a window air conditioner costs about $48.12/month ($577.46/year) at typical use. Adjust the watts, hours, and your rate below for your exact number.

Power (watts)

Hours per day: 8

Days per week: 7

Your state (sets the rate)

Electricity rate ($/kWh)

Cost to run a window air conditioner

$577/yr

Per day: $1.58
Per month: $48.12
Energy per year: 3,504 kWh

Cost = power (kW) × hours × days × your rate. Defaults are typical values: enter your appliance's actual watts (often on a label) and your real rate for a precise figure.

How much electricity does a window air conditioner use?

At 1,200 W for 8 hours a day, a window air conditioner uses about 9.6 kWh per day or roughly 292 kWh per month and 3,504 kWh per year. That's about 34% of the 863 kWh the average US home uses in a month. Energy use is the same everywhere: only the price per kWh changes your bill.

Wondering about the circuit instead? See how many amps a window air conditioner draws.

Cost to run a window air conditioner by electricity rate

Same 1,200 W appliance, 8 h/day: the bill changes with where you live.

Scenario	Rate	Per month	Per year
Cheapest states (North Dakota)	11.5¢	$33.61	$403.31
US average	16.5¢	$48.12	$577.46
Most expensive (Hawaii)	42.9¢	$125.15	$1,501.81

Find your state's rate on the electricity rates by state page, or see the appliance wattage chart for more devices.

Measure what a window air conditioner really costs you

The estimate above uses typical wattage and hours. A plug-in energy meter logs the kilowatt-hours this appliance actually uses: leave it in for a week, multiply by your rate, and the estimate becomes a measurement. A whole-home monitor does the same for every circuit at once, but its sensors install inside the panel.

We earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It does not change what we recommend. See our affiliate disclosure. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Plug-in power meter

P3 International Kill A Watt P4400

Best for: Measuring what one plug-in appliance really uses

Check price at P3 International

Whole-home energy monitor

Emporia Vue 3 Home Energy Monitor (16 circuit sensors)

Best for: Measuring hardwired and 240 V loads, or every circuit at once

Check price on Amazon(paid link)

Energy meter and monitor picks

Frequently asked questions

At the US-average residential rate of 16.5¢/kWh, a window air conditioner drawing 1,200 watts for about 8 hours a day costs roughly $1.58 per day, $48.12 per month, and $577.46 per year. Your actual cost depends on your electricity rate and how much you use it, and the calculator on this page adjusts for both.

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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Window Air Conditioner?

How much electricity does a window air conditioner use?

Cost to run a window air conditioner by electricity rate

Measure what a window air conditioner really costs you

P3 International Kill A Watt P4400

Emporia Vue 3 Home Energy Monitor (16 circuit sensors)

Frequently asked questions