How Much Does It Cost to Run a mini split?
A typical mini split uses about 1,000 watts, which costs about $0.18 per hour. Used 8 hours a day, that is $1.44 per day, $44 per month and about $526 per year at the US average of about 18 cents per kWh. Change the numbers below for your own model and rate.
Typical estimate: 8 hours a day in heating or cooling mode, at about a 12,000 BTU size. These are typical estimates – check your own label or use a plug-in meter for exact figures.
Mini split running cost by electricity rate
Rates vary widely across the country. $0.12 is typical of low-cost areas, $0.18 is about the national average, and $0.25–$0.35 or more is common in high-cost areas such as parts of California, New England and Hawaii.
| Rate per kWh | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.12 | $0.120 | $0.96 | $29.20 | $350 |
| $0.18 | $0.180 | $1.44 | $43.80 | $526 |
| $0.25 | $0.250 | $2.00 | $60.84 | $730 |
| $0.35 | $0.350 | $2.80 | $85.18 | $1,022 |
Based on 1,000 W for 8 h/day; month = 30.42 days.
Cost by hours of use per day
| Hours per day | kWh per month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 h | 122 | $0.72 | $21.90 | $263 |
| 8 h | 243 | $1.44 | $43.80 | $526 |
| 12 h | 365 | $2.16 | $65.71 | $788 |
At 18 cents per kWh and 1,000 W.
Low, typical and high wattage
An inverter mini split ramps up and down, typically using 400–1,500 W for a 9,000–18,000 BTU unit. It often averages well below its rated maximum.
| Case | Watts | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 400 | $0.072 | $17.52 | $210 |
| Typical | 1,000 | $0.180 | $43.80 | $526 |
| High | 1,500 | $0.270 | $65.71 | $788 |
At 8 h/day and 18 cents per kWh.
How it is calculated
1,000 W × 8 h ÷ 1,000 = 8 kWh per day
8 kWh × $0.18 = $1.44 per day
$1.44 × 30.42 days = $43.80 per month
How to cut the cost of running a mini split
- Leave it on a steady set point instead of switching on and off – inverter units run most efficiently at part load.
- Keep the setpoint near 78°F for cooling and 68°F for heating when you are home, as DOE recommends; each degree past that adds runtime.
- Clean the indoor filter monthly and have the coil washed yearly; dirty filters limit airflow and cut efficiency.
- DOE says heat pumps can cut electricity use for heating by about 50% compared with electric resistance heating, so a mini split delivers roughly twice the heat per kWh of a resistance space heater.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a mini split per month?
At 18 cents per kWh, a typical 1,000 W mini split used 8 hours a day costs about $43.80 per month (243 kWh). That is about $526 a year.
How much does it cost to run a mini split per hour?
About $0.180 per hour at 18 cents per kWh, or $0.350 per hour if you pay 35 cents per kWh. Multiply by your hours of use to estimate any day.
Why does the cost of a mini split vary so much?
Wattage varies by model and setting – from 400 W to 1,500 W here. At the same 8 hours a day and 18 cents per kWh, that is $18 to $66 per month. Your electricity rate matters just as much: at 35 cents per kWh the typical unit costs $85 per month.