Cooling · US average
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Window Air Conditioner?
The short answer
A typical 900W window air conditioner costs about $0.16 per hour to run at the US average electricity rate, or $40.10 a month at 8 hours a day.
Based on the US average residential rate of 18.3¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026). Costs range from $27.86/month in Louisiana to $105/month in Hawaii — pick your state below for an exact figure.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Window Air Conditioner running cost at the US average rate
| Daily use | kWh/month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour/day | 27.4 | $0.16 | $5.01 | $60.15 |
| 2 hours/day | 54.8 | $0.33 | $10.03 | $120 |
| 4 hours/day | 109.5 | $0.66 | $20.05 | $241 |
| 8 hours/day | 219.0 | $1.32 | $40.10 | $481 |
| 12 hours/day | 328.5 | $1.98 | $60.15 | $722 |
| 24 hours/day | 657.1 | $3.95 | $120 | $1,444 |
Cost to run a window 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¢ | $0.15 | $35.92 | $431 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 28.8¢ | $0.26 | $63.14 | $758 |
| Arizona | 15.4¢ | $0.14 | $33.69 | $404 |
| Arkansas | 14.3¢ | $0.13 | $31.39 | $377 |
| California | 33.6¢ | $0.30 | $73.61 | $883 |
| Colorado | 17.0¢ | $0.15 | $37.23 | $447 |
| Connecticut | 24.2¢ | $0.22 | $52.92 | $635 |
| Delaware | 18.5¢ | $0.17 | $40.48 | $486 |
| District of Columbia | 25.2¢ | $0.23 | $55.22 | $663 |
| Florida | 15.0¢ | $0.14 | $32.92 | $395 |
| Georgia | 16.3¢ | $0.15 | $35.64 | $428 |
| Hawaii | 48.0¢ | $0.43 | $105 | $1,261 |
| Idaho | 13.7¢ | $0.12 | $30.07 | $361 |
| Illinois | 19.2¢ | $0.17 | $42.10 | $505 |
| Indiana | 16.7¢ | $0.15 | $36.64 | $440 |
| Iowa | 16.0¢ | $0.14 | $35.02 | $420 |
| Kansas | 15.3¢ | $0.14 | $33.44 | $401 |
| Kentucky | 13.8¢ | $0.12 | $30.25 | $363 |
| Louisiana | 12.7¢ | $0.11 | $27.86 | $334 |
| Maine | 32.4¢ | $0.29 | $70.99 | $852 |
| Maryland | 21.4¢ | $0.19 | $46.89 | $563 |
| Massachusetts | 30.5¢ | $0.27 | $66.78 | $801 |
| Michigan | 23.1¢ | $0.21 | $50.49 | $606 |
| Minnesota | 17.5¢ | $0.16 | $38.22 | $459 |
| Mississippi | 14.5¢ | $0.13 | $31.85 | $382 |
| Missouri | 16.1¢ | $0.14 | $35.24 | $423 |
| Montana | 15.0¢ | $0.13 | $32.83 | $394 |
| Nebraska | 13.8¢ | $0.12 | $30.18 | $362 |
| Nevada | 12.8¢ | $0.11 | $27.97 | $336 |
| New Hampshire | 26.6¢ | $0.24 | $58.26 | $699 |
| New Jersey | 25.2¢ | $0.23 | $55.17 | $662 |
| New Mexico | 16.1¢ | $0.14 | $35.24 | $423 |
| New York | 29.9¢ | $0.27 | $65.49 | $786 |
| North Carolina | 15.2¢ | $0.14 | $33.20 | $398 |
| North Dakota | 13.4¢ | $0.12 | $29.37 | $352 |
| Ohio | 19.5¢ | $0.18 | $42.60 | $511 |
| Oklahoma | 14.4¢ | $0.13 | $31.43 | $377 |
| Oregon | 16.0¢ | $0.14 | $34.98 | $420 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.7¢ | $0.20 | $47.57 | $571 |
| Rhode Island | 28.3¢ | $0.25 | $61.96 | $743 |
| South Carolina | 15.5¢ | $0.14 | $33.88 | $407 |
| South Dakota | 15.4¢ | $0.14 | $33.66 | $404 |
| Tennessee | 13.7¢ | $0.12 | $30.03 | $360 |
| Texas | 15.9¢ | $0.14 | $34.78 | $417 |
| Utah | 13.1¢ | $0.12 | $28.74 | $345 |
| Vermont | 23.8¢ | $0.21 | $52.02 | $624 |
| Virginia | 17.6¢ | $0.16 | $38.44 | $461 |
| Washington | 14.7¢ | $0.13 | $32.22 | $387 |
| West Virginia | 15.8¢ | $0.14 | $34.56 | $415 |
| Wisconsin | 19.1¢ | $0.17 | $41.75 | $501 |
| Wyoming | 14.4¢ | $0.13 | $31.45 | $377 |
How much electricity does a window air conditioner use?
A mid-size 10,000 BTU window AC unit draws about 900W while running.
Window air conditioners cool a single room and are far cheaper to run than central AC when you only need one or two rooms cool. Wattage scales with capacity: small 5,000 BTU units draw around 450–500W, a 10,000 BTU unit around 900W, and large 15,000+ BTU units 1,300–1,500W. ENERGY STAR models with inverter compressors can use 20–35% less. The compressor cycles with the thermostat, so enter the hours it actually runs.
Ways to cut the cost
- Pick the right size — an oversized unit cycles constantly and dehumidifies poorly.
- Seal the gaps around the unit with foam strips to keep hot air out.
- Clean the washable filter every two weeks in peak season.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a window air conditioner per month?
At 8 hours a day, a typical window air conditioner costs about $40.10 a month at the US average rate of 18.3¢/kWh. Depending on your state, the same usage costs between $27.86 and $105.
How many watts does a window air conditioner use?
Window air conditioners typically draw 500W–1,500W, with 900W a common figure. A mid-size 10,000 BTU window AC unit draws about 900W while running.
Which state is cheapest to run a window air conditioner in?
Louisiana is currently the cheapest at about $334 a year for typical use, and Hawaii the most expensive at about $1,261 a year.
Is a window AC cheaper to run than central air?
For cooling one or two rooms, yes. A 900W window unit uses about a quarter of the power of a typical 3,500W central system.
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).