Cooling · US average
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Portable Air Conditioner?
The short answer
A typical 1,200W portable air conditioner costs about $0.22 per hour to run at the US average electricity rate, or $53.47 a month at 8 hours a day.
Based on the US average residential rate of 18.3¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026). Costs range from $37.15/month in Louisiana to $140/month in Hawaii — pick your state below for an exact figure.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Portable Air Conditioner running cost at the US average rate
| Daily use | kWh/month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour/day | 36.5 | $0.22 | $6.68 | $80.20 |
| 2 hours/day | 73.0 | $0.44 | $13.37 | $160 |
| 4 hours/day | 146.0 | $0.88 | $26.74 | $321 |
| 8 hours/day | 292.0 | $1.76 | $53.47 | $642 |
| 12 hours/day | 438.0 | $2.64 | $80.21 | $962 |
| 24 hours/day | 876.1 | $5.27 | $160 | $1,925 |
Cost to run a portable 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¢ | $0.20 | $47.89 | $575 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 28.8¢ | $0.35 | $84.19 | $1,010 |
| Arizona | 15.4¢ | $0.18 | $44.91 | $539 |
| Arkansas | 14.3¢ | $0.17 | $41.85 | $502 |
| California | 33.6¢ | $0.40 | $98.15 | $1,178 |
| Colorado | 17.0¢ | $0.20 | $49.65 | $596 |
| Connecticut | 24.2¢ | $0.29 | $70.55 | $847 |
| Delaware | 18.5¢ | $0.22 | $53.97 | $648 |
| District of Columbia | 25.2¢ | $0.30 | $73.62 | $883 |
| Florida | 15.0¢ | $0.18 | $43.89 | $527 |
| Georgia | 16.3¢ | $0.20 | $47.51 | $570 |
| Hawaii | 48.0¢ | $0.58 | $140 | $1,682 |
| Idaho | 13.7¢ | $0.16 | $40.10 | $481 |
| Illinois | 19.2¢ | $0.23 | $56.13 | $673 |
| Indiana | 16.7¢ | $0.20 | $48.86 | $586 |
| Iowa | 16.0¢ | $0.19 | $46.70 | $560 |
| Kansas | 15.3¢ | $0.18 | $44.59 | $535 |
| Kentucky | 13.8¢ | $0.17 | $40.33 | $484 |
| Louisiana | 12.7¢ | $0.15 | $37.15 | $446 |
| Maine | 32.4¢ | $0.39 | $94.65 | $1,136 |
| Maryland | 21.4¢ | $0.26 | $62.52 | $750 |
| Massachusetts | 30.5¢ | $0.37 | $89.04 | $1,068 |
| Michigan | 23.1¢ | $0.28 | $67.31 | $808 |
| Minnesota | 17.5¢ | $0.21 | $50.96 | $611 |
| Mississippi | 14.5¢ | $0.17 | $42.46 | $509 |
| Missouri | 16.1¢ | $0.19 | $46.99 | $564 |
| Montana | 15.0¢ | $0.18 | $43.78 | $525 |
| Nebraska | 13.8¢ | $0.17 | $40.24 | $483 |
| Nevada | 12.8¢ | $0.15 | $37.29 | $447 |
| New Hampshire | 26.6¢ | $0.32 | $77.68 | $932 |
| New Jersey | 25.2¢ | $0.30 | $73.56 | $883 |
| New Mexico | 16.1¢ | $0.19 | $46.99 | $564 |
| New York | 29.9¢ | $0.36 | $87.32 | $1,048 |
| North Carolina | 15.2¢ | $0.18 | $44.27 | $531 |
| North Dakota | 13.4¢ | $0.16 | $39.16 | $470 |
| Ohio | 19.5¢ | $0.23 | $56.80 | $682 |
| Oklahoma | 14.4¢ | $0.17 | $41.91 | $503 |
| Oregon | 16.0¢ | $0.19 | $46.64 | $560 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.7¢ | $0.26 | $63.43 | $761 |
| Rhode Island | 28.3¢ | $0.34 | $82.62 | $991 |
| South Carolina | 15.5¢ | $0.19 | $45.18 | $542 |
| South Dakota | 15.4¢ | $0.18 | $44.89 | $539 |
| Tennessee | 13.7¢ | $0.16 | $40.04 | $480 |
| Texas | 15.9¢ | $0.19 | $46.37 | $556 |
| Utah | 13.1¢ | $0.16 | $38.31 | $460 |
| Vermont | 23.8¢ | $0.29 | $69.36 | $832 |
| Virginia | 17.6¢ | $0.21 | $51.25 | $615 |
| Washington | 14.7¢ | $0.18 | $42.96 | $515 |
| West Virginia | 15.8¢ | $0.19 | $46.08 | $553 |
| Wisconsin | 19.1¢ | $0.23 | $55.66 | $668 |
| Wyoming | 14.4¢ | $0.17 | $41.94 | $503 |
How much electricity does a portable air conditioner use?
Portable air conditioners typically draw 800–1,500W — more than a window unit with the same cooling capacity.
A portable AC sits inside the room and vents hot air through a hose, which makes it convenient but less efficient than a window unit: some of the heat it removes leaks back in, and single-hose models pull warm outside air into the room. A common 10,000–12,000 BTU portable unit draws around 1,000–1,300W. Dual-hose models are more efficient in hot climates.
Ways to cut the cost
- Keep the exhaust hose as short and straight as possible, and insulate it if it gets hot.
- Choose a dual-hose model for rooms you cool every day.
- Close blinds on sun-facing windows during the hottest hours.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a portable air conditioner per month?
At 8 hours a day, a typical portable air conditioner costs about $53.47 a month at the US average rate of 18.3¢/kWh. Depending on your state, the same usage costs between $37.15 and $140.
How many watts does a portable air conditioner use?
Portable air conditioners typically draw 800W–1,500W, with 1,200W a common figure. Portable air conditioners typically draw 800–1,500W — more than a window unit with the same cooling capacity.
Which state is cheapest to run a portable air conditioner in?
Louisiana is currently the cheapest at about $446 a year for typical use, and Hawaii the most expensive at about $1,682 a year.
Do portable air conditioners use a lot of electricity?
They use about as much as a space heater — typically 800–1,500W — and more than a window AC of the same capacity because they are less efficient.
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).