How Much Electricity Does a Room Air Conditioner Use? (2026)
A typical room air conditioner costs
about $9 a month
$107 a year, at the US average of 18.0¢ per kWh
The sticker on the box says $83. It is worked out at one national rate, so it moves once you choose your state.
Averaged across 496 room air conditioners on sale in the US. An estimate at your state's average rate — not a guarantee of your bill.
How much electricity a room air conditioner uses
The average one uses 592 kWh a year, which costs $107 a year at the US average rate. Averaged across 496 room air conditioners on sale in the US, running from 260.4 to 2096.3 kWh. The yearly figure assumes 750 hours of cooling a year — what the federal test procedure uses.
Which kind do you have?
Cheapest to run
- 1Brothers 1023725000 BTU/hr$47a year
- 2Frigidaire FHWC055TF15000 BTU/hr$47a year
- 3Frigidaire FHWC056TF15000 BTU/hr$47a year
- 4Midea MAW05R1KWT-B5000 BTU/hr$47a year
- 5Midea MAW05R1VWBL-T5000 BTU/hr$47a year
- 6Midea MAW05R1VWWT-T5000 BTU/hr$47a year
- 7Midea MAW05S1KWT-A5000 BTU/hr$47a year
- 8Midea MWEUWA-05CRFN8-BCN45000 BTU/hr$47a year
- 9Vissani VAW05V1KWT5000 BTU/hr$47a year
- 10TCL T05WV9M5000 BTU/hr$49a year
- 11TCL T05WV9MB5000 BTU/hr$49a year
- 12TCL T05WV9R5000 BTU/hr$49a year
- 13TCL T05WV9RB5000 BTU/hr$49a year
- 14TCL W5WC725000 BTU/hr$49a year
A year at the U.S. average rate. See the least efficient room air conditioners