Heating & Cooling
A 1,200 watt air conditioner costs about $1.63 to run for 8 hours at $0.17 per kWh.
Quick estimate
This uses 1200 watts, 8 hours per day, and an electricity rate of $0.17 per kWh.
Window and portable air conditioners vary widely by size, efficiency, fan speed, thermostat setting, and outdoor temperature.
Many air conditioner units fall around 1200 watts, with a rough range of 500 to 3500 watts. Check the product label, user manual, or manufacturer specifications for the most accurate number.
| Estimate | Watts | Hours per day | Daily cost | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low estimate | 500W | 4 | $0.34 | $10.20 |
| Typical use | 1200W | 8 | $1.63 | $48.96 |
| High estimate | 3500W | 12 | $7.14 | $214.20 |
Convert watts to kilowatts, multiply by the number of hours used, then multiply by your electricity rate.
Cost = Watts / 1000 x Hours Used x Electricity RateFor this air conditioner example: 1200 / 1000 x 8 x 0.17 = $1.63 per day.
These details make this estimate more useful for real-world use.
Air conditioners do not always draw their full rated power every minute, but hot weather, poor insulation, direct sun, and low thermostat settings can keep the compressor running for long stretches. That is why the hours field can change the estimate dramatically.
A small window unit may use far less power than a large central system, while portable units can lose efficiency if the exhaust hose or window kit is poorly sealed. Use the calculator with the wattage from your own unit whenever possible.
Clean the filter, seal gaps around the unit, and raise the thermostat a few degrees when possible.
The easiest way to improve the estimate is to replace the default values with your actual wattage, average runtime, and local electricity rate.
Wattage ranges are practical planning estimates for common household appliances. Actual use can differ by model, age, settings, room conditions, and maintenance.
A 1,200 watt air conditioner costs about $1.63 to run for 8 hours at $0.17 per kWh.
Use the wattage printed on the appliance label when possible. As a starting estimate, this page uses 1200 watts and shows a common range of 500 to 3500 watts.
Electricity bills include many appliances, fees, taxes, seasonal changes, and utility rate structures. This calculator estimates appliance energy cost only.
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