COOLING COST CALCULATOR
Air Conditioner Running Cost Calculator
Calculate how much a central, window, or portable air conditioner may add to your electric bill.
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LIVE CALCULATOR
Updates instantlyEstimate AC electricity cost per day and month
watts
hours
%
$/kWh
Formula: Daily cost = (watts ÷ 1,000) × hours on × duty cycle × electricity rate
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How this estimate works
Air conditioners do not draw full power every minute. Duty cycle estimates the share of each hour the compressor runs.
- Use your equipment data. Check a label, specification sheet, controller, or energy meter.
- Enter your utility rate. A recent bill is more useful than a national average.
- Test different schedules. Change one input at a time to compare scenarios.
Ways to reduce or refine the cost
1
Clean or replace filters on schedule.
2
Use blinds and shading to reduce solar heat gain.
3
Compare units by efficiency and runtime, not price alone.
Transparent methodology
Results use the values you enter and standard energy formulas. They are planning estimates, not bills or guarantees.
Frequently asked questions
What does duty cycle mean?+
It is the percentage of selected time that the compressor actively draws cooling power.
Is a window AC cheaper than central air?+
It can be when cooling one room, but efficiency, sizing, insulation, and runtime matter.
Does fan-only mode cost the same?+
No. Fan-only mode normally uses much less power.