How much does it cost to run a central air conditioner?
A central air conditioner costs about 28¢ per hour, $3.40 a day, $103 a month and $517 a year at typical use (12 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Watts are compressor, condenser fan and indoor blower for a typical 13-14 SEER system. Defaults give about 2,900 kWh a year for a 3-ton system in a mixed US climate; hot southern climates can use 5,000+ kWh.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ton | 2,400 | 19¢ | $2.33 | $70.97 | $355 |
| 3 ton | 3,500 | 28¢ | $3.40 | $103 | $517 |
| 4 ton | 4,600 | 37¢ | $4.47 | $136 | $680 |
| 5 ton | 5,800 | 47¢ | $5.63 | $171 | $857 |
At 12 hours a day for 5 months a year and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 1.57 | 28¢ | $8.62 | $103 |
| 2 hours | 3.15 | 57¢ | $17.25 | $207 |
| 4 hours | 6.30 | $1.13 | $34.50 | $414 |
| 8 hours | 12.60 | $2.27 | $68.99 | $828 |
| 12 hours | 18.90 | $3.40 | $103 | $1,242 |
| 24 hours | 37.80 | $6.80 | $207 | $2,484 |
Cost to run a central air conditioner in every state
The same central air conditioner costs $354 a year in North Dakota and $1,251 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 19¢ | $70.87 | $354 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 20¢ | $72.77 | $364 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 20¢ | $73.98 | $370 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 20¢ | $74.73 | $374 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 21¢ | $76.63 | $383 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 21¢ | $76.86 | $384 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 21¢ | $77.26 | $386 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 21¢ | $78.01 | $390 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 22¢ | $78.81 | $394 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 22¢ | $79.62 | $398 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 22¢ | $80.08 | $400 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 22¢ | $80.25 | $401 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 22¢ | $80.60 | $403 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 22¢ | $81.23 | $406 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 22¢ | $81.29 | $406 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 22¢ | $81.69 | $408 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 23¢ | $84.97 | $425 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 23¢ | $84.97 | $425 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 24¢ | $86.81 | $434 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 24¢ | $86.98 | $435 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 24¢ | $88.13 | $441 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 24¢ | $88.53 | $443 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 24¢ | $88.59 | $443 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 24¢ | $89.05 | $445 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 24¢ | $89.17 | $446 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 25¢ | $89.97 | $450 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 25¢ | $91.81 | $459 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 26¢ | $93.31 | $467 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 26¢ | $94.57 | $473 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 26¢ | $94.80 | $474 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 26¢ | $95.38 | $477 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 27¢ | $97.45 | $487 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 28¢ | $102 | $512 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 29¢ | $105 | $525 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 30¢ | $108 | $539 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 30¢ | $108 | $540 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 33¢ | $119 | $595 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 33¢ | $121 | $605 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 33¢ | $121 | $605 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 37¢ | $137 | $684 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 37¢ | $137 | $685 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 38¢ | $139 | $696 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 42¢ | $153 | $767 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 42¢ | $154 | $772 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 44¢ | $161 | $805 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 45¢ | $163 | $817 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 46¢ | $168 | $842 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 46¢ | $169 | $843 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 48¢ | $175 | $875 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 52¢ | $190 | $949 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 69¢ | $250 | $1,251 |
How to cut the cost
- Set the thermostat to 78°F when home and 85°F when away; each degree warmer saves about 3-5% of cooling energy.
- Replace the filter every 1-3 months in summer; a dirty filter can raise energy use 5-15%.
- Hose off the outdoor condenser coil each spring and keep 2 ft of clearance around it.
- Close blinds on south and west windows during the afternoon; unshaded windows can add 20-30% to the cooling load.
- Run ceiling fans in occupied rooms so you can raise the thermostat 4°F with the same comfort.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Automates setbacks and typically saves about 8% on cooling.
See options on AmazonA 30 W fan lets you set the AC about 4°F higher.
See options on AmazonA modern 18+ SEER2 variable-speed system uses 30-40% less than an older 10-13 SEER unit.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central air conditioner | 3,500 | 12 hours a day for 5 months a year | $103 | $517 |
| Heat pump | 4,000 | 24 hours a day for 5 months a year | $184 | $920 |
| Mini split air conditioner | 900 | 10 hours a day for 4 months a year | $27.49 | $110 |
| Window air conditioner | 700 | 8 hours a day for 4 months a year | $18.49 | $74 |
| Ceiling fan | 40 | 8 hours a day | $1.84 | $22 |
| Whole house fan | 300 | 5 hours a day for 5 months a year | $8.21 | $41 |
| Dehumidifier | 500 | 24 hours a day for 6 months a year | $26.28 | $158 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a central air conditioner per hour?
A central air conditioner drawing 3,500 watts uses 1.57 kWh per hour while running (45% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 28¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 19¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 69¢.
How much does it cost to run a central air conditioner per month?
At typical use (12 hours a day for 5 months a year), a central air conditioner costs about $103 a month while in use and $517 a year over the 5 months it's typically used, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a central air conditioner use?
Most central air conditioners use 1,800 to 7,000 watts, depending on the setting (2 ton 2,400 W, 3 ton 3,500 W, 4 ton 4,600 W, 5 ton 5,800 W). Starting surge can reach 9,000 W. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a central air conditioner use?
About 18.90 kWh a day and 2,876 kWh a year at typical use (12 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does a central air conditioner use a lot of electricity?
Yes. At 2,876 kWh a year it's one of the bigger loads in a home, about 27% of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh a year.
Is it cheaper to run a central air conditioner or a heat pump?
At typical use, a central air conditioner costs about $517 a year versus $920 for a heat pump. So the central air conditioner is cheaper by about $402 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a central air conditioner?
- Set the thermostat to 78°F when home and 85°F when away; each degree warmer saves about 3-5% of cooling energy.
- Replace the filter every 1-3 months in summer; a dirty filter can raise energy use 5-15%.
- Hose off the outdoor condenser coil each spring and keep 2 ft of clearance around it.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.