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.
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 — 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.
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Plug-in power meter
P3 International Kill A Watt P4400
Best for: Measuring what one plug-in appliance really uses
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
Frequently asked questions
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