How much does it cost to run a portable air conditioner?
A portable air conditioner costs about 14¢ per hour, $1.11 a day, $33.82 a month and $135 a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 4 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Portable ACs sit inside the room and single-hose models pull in hot outside air through leaks, so they use 30-50% more electricity per unit of cooling than window units.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 BTU (SACC 5,000) | 900 | 11¢ | 91¢ | $27.69 | $111 |
| 10,000 BTU (SACC 6,500) | 1,100 | 14¢ | $1.11 | $33.82 | $135 |
| 14,000 BTU (SACC 10,000) | 1,350 | 17¢ | $1.36 | $41.48 | $166 |
At 8 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 | 0.79 | 14¢ | $4.34 | $52 |
| 2 hours | 1.56 | 28¢ | $8.55 | $103 |
| 4 hours | 3.10 | 56¢ | $16.97 | $204 |
| 8 hours | 6.18 | $1.11 | $33.82 | $406 |
| 12 hours | 9.25 | $1.66 | $50.66 | $608 |
| 24 hours | 18.48 | $3.32 | $101 | $1,214 |
Cost to run a portable air conditioner in every state
The same portable air conditioner costs $93 a year in North Dakota and $327 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¢ | 9.5¢ | $23.16 | $93 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 9.7¢ | $23.78 | $95 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 9.9¢ | $24.17 | $97 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 10¢ | $24.42 | $98 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 10¢ | $25.04 | $100 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 10¢ | $25.11 | $100 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 10¢ | $25.25 | $101 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 10¢ | $25.49 | $102 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 11¢ | $25.75 | $103 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 11¢ | $26.02 | $104 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 11¢ | $26.17 | $105 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 11¢ | $26.22 | $105 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 11¢ | $26.34 | $105 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 11¢ | $26.54 | $106 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 11¢ | $26.56 | $106 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 11¢ | $26.69 | $107 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 11¢ | $27.76 | $111 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 11¢ | $27.76 | $111 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 12¢ | $28.37 | $113 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 12¢ | $28.42 | $114 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 12¢ | $28.80 | $115 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 12¢ | $28.93 | $116 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 12¢ | $28.95 | $116 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 12¢ | $29.10 | $116 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 12¢ | $29.14 | $117 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 12¢ | $29.40 | $118 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 12¢ | $30.00 | $120 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 12¢ | $30.49 | $122 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 13¢ | $30.90 | $124 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 13¢ | $30.98 | $124 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 13¢ | $31.17 | $125 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 13¢ | $31.84 | $127 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 14¢ | $33.44 | $134 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 14¢ | $34.31 | $137 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 14¢ | $35.23 | $141 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 14¢ | $35.32 | $141 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 16¢ | $38.91 | $156 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 16¢ | $39.53 | $158 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 16¢ | $39.57 | $158 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 18¢ | $44.70 | $179 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 18¢ | $44.74 | $179 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 19¢ | $45.49 | $182 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 21¢ | $50.13 | $201 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 21¢ | $50.47 | $202 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 22¢ | $52.62 | $210 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 22¢ | $53.37 | $213 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 23¢ | $55.02 | $220 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 23¢ | $55.10 | $220 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 23¢ | $57.20 | $229 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 25¢ | $62.02 | $248 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 34¢ | $81.79 | $327 |
How to cut the cost
- Keep the exhaust hose as short and straight as possible and wrap it in an insulation sleeve; the hot hose radiates heat back into the room.
- Use a dual-hose model or add a dual-hose conversion; single-hose units create negative pressure that draws in hot air.
- Seal the window kit with foam weatherstrip.
- Set the thermostat to 76-78°F and close the door to cool one room only.
- Clean the filters every 2 weeks and drain the reservoir if your model doesn't evaporate condensate.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Provides the same cooling for roughly 30-50% less electricity.
See options on AmazonReduces heat radiated back into the room from the exhaust hose.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portable air conditioner | 1,100 | 8 hours a day for 4 months a year | $33.82 | $135 |
| 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 |
| Evaporative cooler | 150 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $6.57 | $33 |
| Dehumidifier | 500 | 24 hours a day for 6 months a year | $26.28 | $158 |
| Through-the-wall air conditioner | 950 | 8 hours a day for 4 months a year | $25.06 | $100 |
| Central air conditioner | 3,500 | 12 hours a day for 5 months a year | $103 | $517 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a portable air conditioner per hour?
A portable air conditioner drawing 1,100 watts uses 0.77 kWh per hour while running (70% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 14¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 9.5¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 34¢.
How much does it cost to run a portable air conditioner per month?
At typical use (8 hours a day for 4 months a year), a portable air conditioner costs about $33.82 a month while in use and $135 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 portable air conditioner use?
Most portable air conditioners use 700 to 1,500 watts, depending on the setting (8,000 btu (sacc 5,000) 900 W, 10,000 btu (sacc 6,500) 1,100 W, 14,000 btu (sacc 10,000) 1,350 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 1 W of standby power. Starting surge can reach 2,500 W. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a portable air conditioner use?
About 6.18 kWh a day and 752 kWh a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 4 months a year).
Does a portable air conditioner use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 752 kWh a year is about 7% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a portable air conditioner or a window air conditioner?
At typical use, a portable air conditioner costs about $135 a year versus $74 for a window air conditioner. So the window air conditioner is cheaper by about $61 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a portable air conditioner?
- Keep the exhaust hose as short and straight as possible and wrap it in an insulation sleeve; the hot hose radiates heat back into the room.
- Use a dual-hose model or add a dual-hose conversion; single-hose units create negative pressure that draws in hot air.
- Seal the window kit with foam weatherstrip.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.