How much does it cost to run a mini split air conditioner?
A mini split air conditioner costs about 8.9¢ per hour, 90¢ a day, $27.49 a month and $110 a year at typical use (10 hours a day for 4 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Inverter mini splits slow the compressor instead of cycling it off, so watts are average draw at rated capacity for a 20+ SEER single zone.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9,000 BTU | 700 | 6.9¢ | 71¢ | $21.46 | $86 |
| 12,000 BTU | 900 | 8.9¢ | 90¢ | $27.49 | $110 |
| 18,000 BTU | 1,400 | 14¢ | $1.40 | $42.55 | $170 |
| 24,000 BTU | 1,900 | 19¢ | $1.89 | $57.60 | $230 |
At 10 hours a day for 4 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 | 0.61 | 11¢ | $3.34 | $40 |
| 2 hours | 1.10 | 20¢ | $6.02 | $72 |
| 4 hours | 2.08 | 37¢ | $11.39 | $137 |
| 8 hours | 4.04 | 73¢ | $22.12 | $265 |
| 12 hours | 6.00 | $1.08 | $32.85 | $394 |
| 24 hours | 11.88 | $2.14 | $65.05 | $781 |
Cost to run a mini split air conditioner in every state
The same mini split air conditioner costs $75 a year in North Dakota and $266 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¢ | 6.1¢ | $18.82 | $75 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 6.3¢ | $19.33 | $77 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 6.4¢ | $19.65 | $79 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 6.4¢ | $19.85 | $79 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 6.6¢ | $20.35 | $81 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 6.6¢ | $20.41 | $82 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 6.6¢ | $20.52 | $82 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 6.7¢ | $20.72 | $83 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 6.8¢ | $20.93 | $84 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 6.9¢ | $21.15 | $85 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 6.9¢ | $21.27 | $85 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 6.9¢ | $21.32 | $85 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 6.9¢ | $21.41 | $86 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 7.0¢ | $21.57 | $86 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 7.0¢ | $21.59 | $86 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 7.0¢ | $21.70 | $87 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 7.3¢ | $22.57 | $90 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 7.3¢ | $22.57 | $90 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 7.5¢ | $23.06 | $92 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 7.5¢ | $23.10 | $92 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 7.6¢ | $23.41 | $94 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 7.6¢ | $23.52 | $94 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 7.6¢ | $23.53 | $94 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 7.7¢ | $23.65 | $95 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 7.7¢ | $23.68 | $95 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 7.7¢ | $23.90 | $96 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 7.9¢ | $24.39 | $98 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 8.0¢ | $24.78 | $99 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 8.1¢ | $25.12 | $100 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 8.2¢ | $25.18 | $101 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 8.2¢ | $25.33 | $101 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 8.4¢ | $25.88 | $104 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 8.8¢ | $27.18 | $109 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 9.0¢ | $27.89 | $112 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 9.3¢ | $28.63 | $115 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 9.3¢ | $28.71 | $115 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 10¢ | $31.63 | $127 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 10¢ | $32.13 | $129 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 10¢ | $32.16 | $129 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 12¢ | $36.33 | $145 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 12¢ | $36.37 | $145 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 12¢ | $36.98 | $148 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 13¢ | $40.75 | $163 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 13¢ | $41.03 | $164 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 14¢ | $42.77 | $171 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 14¢ | $43.38 | $174 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 14¢ | $44.72 | $179 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 15¢ | $44.78 | $179 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 15¢ | $46.50 | $186 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 16¢ | $50.41 | $202 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 22¢ | $66.48 | $266 |
How to cut the cost
- Set Cool to 76-78°F and leave it there; inverter units are most efficient at low, steady speed.
- Use Dry mode on humid, mild days; it removes moisture at lower power than Cool.
- Rinse the indoor filters every 2-4 weeks and have the indoor coil and blower wheel cleaned every 1-2 years.
- Use the Wi-Fi schedule to raise the set point to 82-85°F while away instead of switching off and pulling down a hot room.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Lets you raise the set point about 4°F for 15-35 W.
See options on AmazonBlock solar heat gain that would otherwise add to cooling load.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini split air conditioner | 900 | 10 hours a day for 4 months a year | $27.49 | $110 |
| Mini split heat pump (heating) | 1,100 | 14 hours a day for 5 months a year | $46.65 | $233 |
| Central air conditioner | 3,500 | 12 hours a day for 5 months a year | $103 | $517 |
| Window air conditioner | 700 | 8 hours a day for 4 months a year | $18.49 | $74 |
| Portable air conditioner | 1,100 | 8 hours a day for 4 months a year | $33.82 | $135 |
| Through-the-wall air conditioner | 950 | 8 hours a day for 4 months a year | $25.06 | $100 |
| Evaporative cooler | 150 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $6.57 | $33 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a mini split air conditioner per hour?
A mini split air conditioner drawing 900 watts uses 0.50 kWh per hour while running (55% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 8.9¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 6.1¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 22¢.
How much does it cost to run a mini split air conditioner per month?
At typical use (10 hours a day for 4 months a year), a mini split air conditioner costs about $27.49 a month while in use and $110 a year over the 4 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 mini split air conditioner use?
Most mini split air conditioners use 300 to 2,500 watts, depending on the setting (9,000 btu 700 W, 12,000 btu 900 W, 18,000 btu 1,400 W, 24,000 btu 1,900 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 5 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a mini split air conditioner use?
About 5.02 kWh a day and 611 kWh a year at typical use (10 hours a day for 4 months a year).
Does a mini split air conditioner use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 611 kWh a year is about 6% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a mini split air conditioner or a mini split heat pump (heating)?
At typical use, a mini split air conditioner costs about $110 a year versus $233 for a mini split heat pump (heating). So the mini split air conditioner is cheaper by about $123 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a mini split air conditioner?
- Set Cool to 76-78°F and leave it there; inverter units are most efficient at low, steady speed.
- Use Dry mode on humid, mild days; it removes moisture at lower power than Cool.
- Rinse the indoor filters every 2-4 weeks and have the indoor coil and blower wheel cleaned every 1-2 years.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.