Air conditioner electricity cost in United States

Cooling cost changes sharply with climate zone, equipment efficiency, thermostat setting, and the utility rate that applies in your state.

Rate used for the starting scenarioUSD 0.1844/kWh

Use the marginal residential energy rate from your utility. If summer pricing or time-of-use rates apply, compare the peak and off-peak portions separately.

Billing scopeUnited States · national average

Confidence A 94/100. Effective 2026-05-01 to 2026-07-31.

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Live local scenario

Calculate with an editable rate.

Air conditioners cycle or modulate, so scheduled hours alone overstate energy use. The active-runtime input represents average compressor load across the operating window.

01

Your scenario

Change any value. Results update instantly.

Active runtime accounts for cycling. Use 100% for devices that draw the rated power continuously.

02

Your reading

Planning range · based on your inputs
Estimated monthly cost$36.92

Likely planning range $30.27–$43.56

Per day$1.21
Per active hour$0.15
Per year$443.00
Energy / month200.2 kWh

FormulakW × runtime × tariff

Month52 weeks ÷ 12

Data qualitySelf-entered estimate

Transparent method

The local calculation

AC cost = rated kW × scheduled hours × active-runtime share × tariff

The device model stays global. The currency, tariff scope, validity period, and billing cautions come from the United States data layer.

Read the methodology →

Before trusting the result

Three checks for United States

01

Use the unit’s electrical input, not its cooling-capacity rating.

02

Model humid or very hot weeks with a higher compressor duty cycle.

03

Keep utility fixed charges outside the appliance calculation.

Turn estimates into evidence

Measured this device in United States?

The calculator accepts anonymous smart-plug, meter, charger, or utility readings after the result. A real measurement improves the country-device cohort without exposing your name or exact address.

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