Cooling · US average
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Central Air Conditioner?
The short answer
A typical 3,500W central air conditioner costs about $0.64 per hour to run at the US average electricity rate, or $156 a month at 8 hours a day.
Based on the US average residential rate of 18.3¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026). Costs range from $108/month in Louisiana to $409/month in Hawaii — pick your state below for an exact figure.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Central Air Conditioner running cost at the US average rate
| Daily use | kWh/month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour/day | 106.5 | $0.64 | $19.49 | $234 |
| 2 hours/day | 212.9 | $1.28 | $38.99 | $468 |
| 4 hours/day | 425.9 | $2.56 | $77.98 | $936 |
| 8 hours/day | 851.8 | $5.13 | $156 | $1,871 |
| 12 hours/day | 1,277.6 | $7.69 | $234 | $2,807 |
| 24 hours/day | 2,555.3 | $15.38 | $468 | $5,614 |
Cost to run a central air conditioner in every state
At 8 hours a day and each state’s average residential rate. Select a state for its full breakdown.
| Alabama | 16.4¢ | $0.57 | $140 | $1,676 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 28.8¢ | $1.01 | $246 | $2,946 |
| Arizona | 15.4¢ | $0.54 | $131 | $1,572 |
| Arkansas | 14.3¢ | $0.50 | $122 | $1,465 |
| California | 33.6¢ | $1.18 | $286 | $3,435 |
| Colorado | 17.0¢ | $0.60 | $145 | $1,737 |
| Connecticut | 24.2¢ | $0.85 | $206 | $2,469 |
| Delaware | 18.5¢ | $0.65 | $157 | $1,889 |
| District of Columbia | 25.2¢ | $0.88 | $215 | $2,576 |
| Florida | 15.0¢ | $0.53 | $128 | $1,536 |
| Georgia | 16.3¢ | $0.57 | $139 | $1,663 |
| Hawaii | 48.0¢ | $1.68 | $409 | $4,906 |
| Idaho | 13.7¢ | $0.48 | $117 | $1,403 |
| Illinois | 19.2¢ | $0.67 | $164 | $1,964 |
| Indiana | 16.7¢ | $0.59 | $142 | $1,710 |
| Iowa | 16.0¢ | $0.56 | $136 | $1,634 |
| Kansas | 15.3¢ | $0.53 | $130 | $1,561 |
| Kentucky | 13.8¢ | $0.48 | $118 | $1,411 |
| Louisiana | 12.7¢ | $0.45 | $108 | $1,300 |
| Maine | 32.4¢ | $1.13 | $276 | $3,312 |
| Maryland | 21.4¢ | $0.75 | $182 | $2,188 |
| Massachusetts | 30.5¢ | $1.07 | $260 | $3,116 |
| Michigan | 23.1¢ | $0.81 | $196 | $2,356 |
| Minnesota | 17.5¢ | $0.61 | $149 | $1,783 |
| Mississippi | 14.5¢ | $0.51 | $124 | $1,486 |
| Missouri | 16.1¢ | $0.56 | $137 | $1,644 |
| Montana | 15.0¢ | $0.52 | $128 | $1,532 |
| Nebraska | 13.8¢ | $0.48 | $117 | $1,408 |
| Nevada | 12.8¢ | $0.45 | $109 | $1,305 |
| New Hampshire | 26.6¢ | $0.93 | $227 | $2,719 |
| New Jersey | 25.2¢ | $0.88 | $215 | $2,574 |
| New Mexico | 16.1¢ | $0.56 | $137 | $1,644 |
| New York | 29.9¢ | $1.05 | $255 | $3,056 |
| North Carolina | 15.2¢ | $0.53 | $129 | $1,549 |
| North Dakota | 13.4¢ | $0.47 | $114 | $1,371 |
| Ohio | 19.5¢ | $0.68 | $166 | $1,988 |
| Oklahoma | 14.4¢ | $0.50 | $122 | $1,467 |
| Oregon | 16.0¢ | $0.56 | $136 | $1,632 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.7¢ | $0.76 | $185 | $2,220 |
| Rhode Island | 28.3¢ | $0.99 | $241 | $2,891 |
| South Carolina | 15.5¢ | $0.54 | $132 | $1,581 |
| South Dakota | 15.4¢ | $0.54 | $131 | $1,571 |
| Tennessee | 13.7¢ | $0.48 | $117 | $1,401 |
| Texas | 15.9¢ | $0.56 | $135 | $1,623 |
| Utah | 13.1¢ | $0.46 | $112 | $1,341 |
| Vermont | 23.8¢ | $0.83 | $202 | $2,427 |
| Virginia | 17.6¢ | $0.61 | $149 | $1,794 |
| Washington | 14.7¢ | $0.51 | $125 | $1,503 |
| West Virginia | 15.8¢ | $0.55 | $134 | $1,613 |
| Wisconsin | 19.1¢ | $0.67 | $162 | $1,948 |
| Wyoming | 14.4¢ | $0.50 | $122 | $1,468 |
How much electricity does a central air conditioner use?
A typical 3-ton central air conditioner draws about 3,500W while the compressor is running.
Central AC is usually the single largest electricity user in a home during summer. Power draw depends on capacity (tons) and efficiency (SEER2 rating): a 3-ton system typically draws 3–4 kW while running. The compressor cycles on and off to hold your thermostat setting, so enter the hours per day it actually runs — on a hot afternoon that can be most of the day, while on a mild day it may be only a few hours.
Ways to cut the cost
- Each degree you raise the thermostat in summer saves roughly 3% on cooling.
- Replace the air filter every 1–3 months and keep the outdoor condenser clear of debris.
- Use ceiling fans so you can set the thermostat 3–4°F higher with the same comfort.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a central air conditioner per month?
At 8 hours a day, a typical central air conditioner costs about $156 a month at the US average rate of 18.3¢/kWh. Depending on your state, the same usage costs between $108 and $409.
How many watts does a central air conditioner use?
Central air conditioners typically draw 2,000W–5,000W, with 3,500W a common figure. A typical 3-ton central air conditioner draws about 3,500W while the compressor is running.
Which state is cheapest to run a central air conditioner in?
Louisiana is currently the cheapest at about $1,300 a year for typical use, and Hawaii the most expensive at about $4,906 a year.
How many watts does a central air conditioner use?
Most residential central AC systems draw 2,000–5,000W while running; a typical 3-ton system uses about 3,500W.
Related appliances
Comparisons
Sources & method
- Electricity rates: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly — average residential retail price, July 2026 (latest available). Retrieved .
- CO₂: EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024 emissions rate of in-state power generation.
- Formulas, duty cycles and limitations: methodology. Data download: open data (CC BY 4.0).