How much does it cost to run a through-the-wall air conditioner?
A through-the-wall air conditioner costs about 10¢ per hour, 82¢ a day, $25.06 a month and $100 a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 4 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Through-the-wall units and PTACs perform like window ACs but sit in a permanent sleeve. PTACs with electric heat strips use 2,500-3,500 W in heating mode.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 BTU | 780 | 8.4¢ | 68¢ | $20.59 | $82 |
| 10,000 BTU | 950 | 10¢ | 82¢ | $25.06 | $100 |
| 12,000 BTU | 1,150 | 12¢ | 100¢ | $30.31 | $121 |
| 14,000 BTU | 1,350 | 15¢ | $1.17 | $35.57 | $142 |
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 | 0.59 | 11¢ | $3.25 | $39 |
| 2 hours | 1.16 | 21¢ | $6.36 | $76 |
| 4 hours | 2.30 | 41¢ | $12.59 | $151 |
| 8 hours | 4.58 | 82¢ | $25.06 | $301 |
| 12 hours | 6.85 | $1.23 | $37.52 | $450 |
| 24 hours | 13.68 | $2.46 | $74.91 | $899 |
Cost to run a through-the-wall air conditioner in every state
The same through-the-wall air conditioner costs $69 a year in North Dakota and $242 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¢ | 7.0¢ | $17.16 | $69 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 7.2¢ | $17.62 | $70 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 7.3¢ | $17.91 | $72 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 7.4¢ | $18.09 | $72 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 7.6¢ | $18.55 | $74 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 7.6¢ | $18.61 | $74 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 7.7¢ | $18.71 | $75 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 7.7¢ | $18.89 | $76 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 7.8¢ | $19.08 | $76 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 7.9¢ | $19.28 | $77 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 7.9¢ | $19.39 | $78 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 8.0¢ | $19.43 | $78 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 8.0¢ | $19.51 | $78 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 8.0¢ | $19.67 | $79 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 8.1¢ | $19.68 | $79 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 8.1¢ | $19.78 | $79 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 8.4¢ | $20.57 | $82 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 8.4¢ | $20.57 | $82 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 8.6¢ | $21.02 | $84 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 8.6¢ | $21.06 | $84 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 8.7¢ | $21.34 | $85 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 8.8¢ | $21.44 | $86 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 8.8¢ | $21.45 | $86 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 8.8¢ | $21.56 | $86 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 8.8¢ | $21.59 | $86 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 8.9¢ | $21.78 | $87 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 9.1¢ | $22.23 | $89 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 9.2¢ | $22.59 | $90 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 9.4¢ | $22.90 | $92 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 9.4¢ | $22.95 | $92 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 9.5¢ | $23.09 | $92 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 9.7¢ | $23.59 | $94 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 10¢ | $24.78 | $99 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 10¢ | $25.42 | $102 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 11¢ | $26.10 | $104 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 11¢ | $26.17 | $105 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 12¢ | $28.83 | $115 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 12¢ | $29.29 | $117 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 12¢ | $29.32 | $117 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 14¢ | $33.12 | $132 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 14¢ | $33.15 | $133 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 14¢ | $33.71 | $135 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 15¢ | $37.15 | $149 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 15¢ | $37.40 | $150 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 16¢ | $38.99 | $156 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 16¢ | $39.54 | $158 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 17¢ | $40.77 | $163 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 17¢ | $40.82 | $163 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 17¢ | $42.38 | $170 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 19¢ | $45.95 | $184 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 25¢ | $60.60 | $242 |
Most efficient through-the-wall air conditioner models
The lowest-energy ENERGY STAR certified models in the most common size (8,500–11,500 BTU/h), out of 548 certified models. In this class, the best model costs $69 a year to run. The least efficient costs $115. Same size, $46 a year apart.
| Brand | Model | Cooling | kWh/yr | Cost/yr | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kühl | KCVS08B10B Most Efficient | 8,700 | 384 | $69 | Amazon |
| Midea | MAH09B1AGR +6 variants Most Efficient | 9,500 | 405 | $73 | Amazon |
| Friedrich | KCVS08B10A Most Efficient | 8,700 | 408 | $73 | Amazon |
| Gradient | CCHP11 Most Efficient | 9,300 | 415 | $75 | Amazon |
| LG | LW8024IVSM | 8,500 | 425 | $76 | Amazon |
| GREE | GJH09BW-A6DRNL1B Most Efficient | 9,300 | 433 | $78 | Amazon |
| GREE | GJH09BW-A6DRNL1A Most Efficient | 9,300 | 462 | $83 | Amazon |
| Kinghome | KHWA09IN Most Efficient | 9,300 | 462 | $83 | Amazon |
| BLACK+DECKER | BDM10C Most Efficient | 10,000 | 469 | $84 | Amazon |
| DuraSTAR | DRWAC101XVB1 Most Efficient | 10,000 | 469 | $84 | Amazon |
Yearly cost from the official annual energy use and 17.99¢/kWh. Look up any model in the calculator with “Look up my exact model”. Source: ENERGY STAR, updated 2026-10-21. Amazon links search for the exact model; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How to cut the cost
- Seal and insulate around the wall sleeve; old sleeves often leak air year-round.
- Clean the front filter every 2 weeks and vacuum the rear coil yearly.
- Set it to 76-78°F and use the fan-only mode on mild evenings.
- Cover the unit with an insulated interior cover in winter to block drafts.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Uses roughly 40% less electricity for the same cooling and heats efficiently.
See options on AmazonStops winter drafts through the sleeve.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Through-the-wall air conditioner | 950 | 8 hours a day for 4 months a year | $25.06 | $100 |
| 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 |
| Portable air conditioner | 1,100 | 8 hours a day for 4 months a year | $33.82 | $135 |
| Central air conditioner | 3,500 | 12 hours a day for 5 months a year | $103 | $517 |
| Evaporative cooler | 150 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $6.57 | $33 |
| Personal air cooler | 10 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $0.44 | $2 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a through-the-wall air conditioner per hour?
A through-the-wall air conditioner drawing 950 watts uses 0.57 kWh per hour while running (60% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 10¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 7.0¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 25¢.
How much does it cost to run a through-the-wall air conditioner per month?
At typical use (8 hours a day for 4 months a year), a through-the-wall air conditioner costs about $25.06 a month while in use and $100 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 through-the-wall air conditioner use?
Most through-the-wall air conditioners use 700 to 1,500 watts, depending on the setting (8,000 btu 780 W, 10,000 btu 950 W, 12,000 btu 1,150 W, 14,000 btu 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 through-the-wall air conditioner use?
About 4.58 kWh a day and 557 kWh a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 4 months a year).
Does a through-the-wall air conditioner use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 557 kWh a year is about 5% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a through-the-wall air conditioner or a window air conditioner?
At typical use, a through-the-wall air conditioner costs about $100 a year versus $74 for a window air conditioner. So the window air conditioner is cheaper by about $26 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a through-the-wall air conditioner?
- Seal and insulate around the wall sleeve; old sleeves often leak air year-round.
- Clean the front filter every 2 weeks and vacuum the rear coil yearly.
- Set it to 76-78°F and use the fan-only mode on mild evenings.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.