How much does it cost to run a personal air cooler?
A personal air cooler costs about 0.2¢ per hour, 1.4¢ a day, $0.44 a month and $2 a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Personal evaporative coolers run a small fan and wick and draw about 5-40 W. They cool a person within a couple of feet, not a room.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.01 | 0.2¢ | $0.05 | $1 |
| 2 hours | 0.02 | 0.4¢ | $0.11 | $1 |
| 4 hours | 0.04 | 0.7¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| 8 hours | 0.08 | 1.4¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| 12 hours | 0.12 | 2.2¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| 24 hours | 0.24 | 4.3¢ | $1.31 | $16 |
Cost to run a personal air cooler in every state
The same personal air cooler costs $1 a year in North Dakota and $5 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¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.30 | $1 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.31 | $2 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.31 | $2 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.32 | $2 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.32 | $2 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.33 | $2 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.33 | $2 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.33 | $2 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.33 | $2 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.34 | $2 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.34 | $2 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.34 | $2 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.34 | $2 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.34 | $2 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.34 | $2 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.35 | $2 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.36 | $2 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.36 | $2 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.37 | $2 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.37 | $2 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.37 | $2 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.37 | $2 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.37 | $2 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.38 | $2 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.38 | $2 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.38 | $2 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.39 | $2 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.39 | $2 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.40 | $2 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.40 | $2 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.40 | $2 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.41 | $2 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.43 | $2 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.44 | $2 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.46 | $2 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.46 | $2 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.50 | $3 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.51 | $3 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.51 | $3 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.58 | $3 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.58 | $3 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.59 | $3 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.65 | $3 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.65 | $3 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.68 | $3 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.69 | $3 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.71 | $4 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.71 | $4 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.74 | $4 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.80 | $4 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 0.4¢ | $1.06 | $5 |
How to cut the cost
- Fill with cold water or add ice to get a few extra degrees of cooling.
- Place it 1-2 ft from you and aim directly at your face or torso.
- Run it from USB power off a laptop or phone charger to avoid a separate adapter.
- Expect little effect in humid weather; use it as a fan in those conditions.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Gives similar comfort in humid climates for a few watts.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal air cooler | 10 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $0.44 | $2 |
| Evaporative cooler | 150 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $6.57 | $33 |
| Desk fan | 25 | 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 5 months a year | $0.78 | $4 |
| USB fan | 3 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $0.10 | $0 |
| Window air conditioner | 700 | 8 hours a day for 4 months a year | $18.49 | $74 |
| Mini split air conditioner | 900 | 10 hours a day for 4 months a year | $27.49 | $110 |
| Through-the-wall air conditioner | 950 | 8 hours a day for 4 months a year | $25.06 | $100 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a personal air cooler per hour?
A personal air cooler drawing 10 watts uses 0.01 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.2¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.1¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 0.4¢.
How much does it cost to run a personal air cooler per month?
At typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year), a personal air cooler costs about $0.44 a month while in use and $2 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 personal air cooler use?
Most personal air coolers use 5 to 40 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a personal air cooler use?
About 0.08 kWh a day and 12 kWh a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does a personal air cooler use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 12 kWh a year it's a small share (0.1%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a personal air cooler or an evaporative cooler?
At typical use, a personal air cooler costs about $2 a year versus $33 for an evaporative cooler. So the personal air cooler is cheaper by about $31 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a personal air cooler?
- Fill with cold water or add ice to get a few extra degrees of cooling.
- Place it 1-2 ft from you and aim directly at your face or torso.
- Run it from USB power off a laptop or phone charger to avoid a separate adapter.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.