How much does an air conditioner cost to run?
An air conditioner typically draws around 1500 W while running. Ratings vary widely between models, so check the label and change the figure below.
per kWh
W
g CO2 per kWh
Cost per year
921.64
- Cost per month
- 76.80
- Cost per day
- 2.53
- Cost per hour of use
- 0.42
- Energy per year
- 3291.6 kWh
- Energy per day
- 9.0180 kWh
- Carbon dioxide per year
- 822.9
- Annual cost of standby alone
- 1.84
Show the working
- Power = 1500
- Hours per day = 6
- Days per year in use = 365
- Electricity price = 0.28
- Standby power = 1
- Grid carbon intensity = 250
- kw = 1500 / 1000 = 1.5
- daily_kwh = 1.5 * 6 = 9
- standby_kwh = 1 / 1000 * (24 - 6) = 0.018
- Energy per day = 9 + 0.018 = 9.018
- Energy per year = 9.018 * 365 = 3291.57
- Cost per day = 9.018 * 0.28 = 2.525 04
- Cost per year = 3291.57 * 0.28 = 921.64
- Cost per month = 921.64 / 12 = 76.8033
- Cost per hour of use = 1.5 * 0.28 = 0.42
- Carbon dioxide per year = 3291.57 * 250 / 1000 = 822.893
- Annual cost of standby alone = 0.018 * 365 * 0.28 = 1.8396
Values are shown to six significant figures here; the arithmetic itself runs on exact fractions and is only rounded where a number is printed.
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The formula
- daily energy = power in kW x hours
- annual cost = daily energy x days x price per kWh
Nameplate wattage is the maximum draw, not the average. A cycling appliance like a fridge or a freezer averages far less.
Standby draw is small per device and adds up across a house: ten devices at 2 W each is 175 kWh a year.
Running cost of an air conditioner at different tariffs
| Price per kWh | Per hour | Per year at 6 h/day |
|---|---|---|
| 0.10 | 0.1500 | 328.50 |
| 0.15 | 0.2250 | 492.75 |
| 0.20 | 0.3000 | 657.00 |
| 0.25 | 0.3750 | 821.25 |
| 0.30 | 0.4500 | 985.50 |
| 0.40 | 0.6000 | 1314.00 |
Frequently asked
How many watts does an air conditioner use?
Typically around 1500 W while running, though models vary. Check the rating plate.
How much electricity does it use per day?
About 9.00 kWh at 6 hours of use.
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