U.S. residential electricity EIA data: July 2026 US average 18.3¢/kWh Updated
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Cooling · Delaware

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Central Air Conditioner in Delaware?

The short answer

Running a 3,500W central air conditioner in Delaware costs about $0.65 an hour. At 8 hours a day, that’s roughly $157 a month and $1,889 a year.

That’s based on Delaware’s average residential rate of 18.5¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026), about the same as the US average.

Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated

Central Air Conditioner cost by daily use in Delaware

Cost at 18.5¢/kWh, the Delaware average (EIA, Jul 2026)
Daily usekWh/monthPer dayPer monthPer year
1 hour/day 106.5 $0.65 $19.68 $236
2 hours/day 212.9 $1.29 $39.35 $472
4 hours/day 425.9 $2.59 $78.70 $944
8 hours/day 851.8 $5.17 $157 $1,889
12 hours/day 1,277.6 $7.76 $236 $2,833
24 hours/day 2,555.3 $15.52 $472 $5,666

Delaware vs other states

At typical use, a central air conditioner costs $1,889 a year in Delaware — $3,017 less than in Hawaii and $589 more than in Louisiana.

Delaware has the 19th-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. Delaware electricity rates · all states ranked

Electricity price trend in Delaware

18.5¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +11.5% from a year earlier.

How to lower the cost of running a central air conditioner

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.

  • 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 for 24 hours in Delaware?

Running a 3,500W central air conditioner for 24 hours uses about 84.0 kWh, which costs about $15.52 at Delaware’s average rate of 18.5¢/kWh.

How many kWh does a central air conditioner use per month?

At 8 hours a day, a typical central air conditioner uses about 852 kWh a month. In Delaware that costs $157.

Is it expensive to run a central air conditioner in Delaware?

Delaware has the 19th-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 18.5¢/kWh — pricier than most. Running a central air conditioner here costs about $1,889 a year at typical use, compared with $1,871 at the national average rate.

What is the electricity rate in Delaware right now?

The average residential electricity rate in Delaware was 18.5¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 11.5% from a year earlier.

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.

Central Air Conditioner costs in nearby states

Cheapest and priciest states

Comparisons

Sources & method