Air Conditioner Running Cost Calculator
Enter your unit's cooling capacity, efficiency rating, daily hours of use and how many months you run it each year. See exactly what your AC costs per hour, day, month, season and year.
Quick Start
Tip: Modern inverter ACs modulate compressor speed rather than cycling on and off at full power. Real consumption at moderate load is often lower than rated capacity ÷ EER suggests — use a plug-in energy meter for the most accurate daily kWh figure.
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AC Settings
Typical efficiency ratings by AC type
Indicative ranges only. Actual efficiency varies by brand, model, age and operating conditions. Check your unit's spec sheet for an accurate EER or COP figure.
Common questions
How much does it cost to run an air conditioner per hour? +
A 3.5 kW AC with an efficiency rating of 3.0 draws around 1.17 kW of electrical power. At $0.28/kWh, that works out to roughly $0.33 per hour. The exact figure depends on your unit's capacity, efficiency and local electricity rate — use the calculator above for your numbers.
What is a good EER or COP for an air conditioner? +
For a standard split system, an EER of 3.0 or higher is considered good. Modern inverter ACs often reach 3.5 to 5.0. A unit with EER 4.0 uses 25% less electricity than an equivalent unit rated at EER 3.0 for the same cooling output.
Does setting a higher temperature save money? +
Yes. Raising the set temperature by one degree typically reduces electricity consumption by around 3 to 5%. Setting 24–26°C (75–79°F) instead of 20–22°C (68–72°F) across a full season adds up to a meaningful saving without affecting comfort for most people.
How does a split system compare to a portable AC? +
Split systems are generally more efficient. Portable ACs typically have EER ratings of 2.0 to 2.5, while a comparable split system often reaches 3.5 or higher. That difference can make a split system 30 to 50% cheaper to run for the same cooling output.
How much does it cost to run AC all day? +
Running a 3.5 kW AC (EER 3.0) for 24 hours at $0.28/kWh costs around $7.90 per day. At 8 hours per day the cost drops to around $2.63. Use the calculator above for an exact figure based on your unit and rate.
Understanding air conditioner running costs
How much does an air conditioner cost to run?
Air conditioner running costs depend on three things: the unit's cooling capacity, its efficiency rating (EER or COP), and your local electricity price. Divide cooling capacity (kW) by the efficiency rating to get estimated electrical power draw, then multiply by your rate and hours of use.
Cooling capacity and efficiency
A 3.5 kW split system with an EER of 3.0 draws around 1.17 kW of electrical power while running. The same unit with an EER of 4.5 draws only 0.78 kW — 33% less electricity for the same cooling output. When comparing units, the EER rating is the fastest way to estimate long-term running cost differences.
Seasonal vs year-round use
Most people run an AC seasonally rather than year-round. In temperate climates this is typically 3 to 5 months. This calculator lets you set months in use separately so you can see both seasonal cost and a full annualised figure side by side.
Inverter vs fixed-speed units
Fixed-speed ACs run at full capacity until the target temperature is reached, then switch off. Inverter units modulate compressor speed continuously. Inverter ACs are typically 20 to 40% more efficient in real-world use, especially during long continuous operation in moderate conditions.
Want to see how your AC compares against total home energy use? Try the Electricity Cost Calculator or compare against an HVAC Running Cost.