How Much Does It Cost to Run a portable air conditioner?
A typical portable AC uses about 1,200 watts, which costs about $0.22 per hour. Used 8 hours a day, that is $1.73 per day, $53 per month and about $631 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 of running time a day in summer. These are typical estimates – check your own label or use a plug-in meter for exact figures.
Portable AC 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 | $0.144 | $1.15 | $35.04 | $420 |
| $0.18 | $0.216 | $1.73 | $52.57 | $631 |
| $0.25 | $0.300 | $2.40 | $73.01 | $876 |
| $0.35 | $0.420 | $3.36 | $102.21 | $1,226 |
Based on 1,200 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 | 146 | $0.86 | $26.28 | $315 |
| 8 h | 292 | $1.73 | $52.57 | $631 |
| 12 h | 438 | $2.59 | $78.85 | $946 |
At 18 cents per kWh and 1,200 W.
Low, typical and high wattage
Portable units usually draw 900–1,500 W for 8,000–14,000 BTU models and are less efficient than window units of the same size.
| Case | Watts | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 900 | $0.162 | $39.42 | $473 |
| Typical | 1,200 | $0.216 | $52.57 | $631 |
| High | 1,500 | $0.270 | $65.71 | $788 |
At 8 h/day and 18 cents per kWh.
How it is calculated
1,200 W × 8 h ÷ 1,000 = 9.6 kWh per day
9.6 kWh × $0.18 = $1.73 per day
$1.73 × 30.42 days = $52.57 per month
How to cut the cost of running a portable air conditioner
- Choose a dual-hose model – single-hose units pull room air outside and draw hot air in from elsewhere, so they run longer for the same cooling.
- Keep the exhaust hose short and straight and insulate it with a hose sleeve; a hot hose radiates heat back into the room.
- Empty or drain the condensate tank if your model has no auto-evaporation – a full tank can shut the unit down and restart long cycles.
- If a window unit fits your window, it typically cools the same space for less electricity.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a portable air conditioner per month?
At 18 cents per kWh, a typical 1,200 W portable AC used 8 hours a day costs about $52.57 per month (292 kWh). That is about $631 a year.
How much does it cost to run a portable air conditioner per hour?
About $0.216 per hour at 18 cents per kWh, or $0.420 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 portable air conditioner vary so much?
Wattage varies by model and setting – from 900 W to 1,500 W here. At the same 8 hours a day and 18 cents per kWh, that is $39 to $66 per month. Your electricity rate matters just as much: at 35 cents per kWh the typical unit costs $102 per month.