Your AC & Usage
Running Cost
The daily cost of running an air conditioner is one of the simplest HVAC calculations, yet it is the figure people most want to know before buying or before a hot week. It depends on just three things: how much power the unit draws, how many hours it runs, and what you pay per unit of electricity. The formula is power in kilowatts, multiplied by hours, multiplied by your tariff.
| AC (8 hrs/day) | kWh/day | USA $0.14 | UK £0.27 | India ₹8 | Australia AU$0.29 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ton 5-star (740 W) | 5.9 | $0.83 | £1.59 | ₹47 | AU$1.71 |
| 1.5 ton 5-star (950 W) | 7.6 | $1.06 | £2.05 | ₹61 | AU$2.20 |
| 1.5 ton 3-star (1,300 W) | 10.4 | $1.46 | £2.81 | ₹83 | AU$3.02 |
| 2 ton 5-star (1,350 W) | 10.8 | $1.51 | £2.92 | ₹86 | AU$3.13 |
| 2 ton non-inverter (2,000 W) | 16.0 | $2.24 | £4.32 | ₹128 | AU$4.64 |
The daily cost is exactly proportional to running hours. If 8 hours costs a certain amount, 4 hours costs half and 12 hours costs 50% more. This makes the sleep timer one of the most effective cost controls: cutting overnight running from 8 hours to 5 hours, once the room is cool, reduces the daily cost by more than a third with little loss of comfort.
A 1.5 ton 3-star inverter (about 1,300 W) runs 6 hours each evening at 0.14 per kWh.
How much does it cost to run an AC per day?
A 1.5 ton 5-star inverter (about 1,000 W) running 8 hours uses about 8 kWh: roughly $1.12 (USA), £2.16 (UK), or ₹64 (India). Enter your wattage and tariff above for an exact figure.
How much does it cost to run AC for 1 hour?
Power in kW times your rate. A 1 kW unit at $0.14/kWh costs $0.14 per hour. A 1.5 kW unit costs $0.21 per hour at the same rate.
Is it cheaper to leave AC on or turn it off?
For most absences, turning it off is cheaper even with the cool-down energy on return. The exception is very short absences under 30 minutes in extreme heat. A timer captures most of the saving automatically.
How can I lower my daily AC cost?
Raise the set point 2 to 3 degrees (cuts 12 to 18%), run a ceiling fan, use the sleep timer, clean the filter, and close curtains on sun-facing windows during the day.
Why does my daily cost vary day to day?
On hotter days the compressor runs more of each hour to hold the set temperature. Outdoor temperature, humidity, door openings and occupancy all affect actual daily consumption.
Estimates are based on the wattage and tariff entered and assume steady-state operation. Actual daily cost rises on hotter days as the compressor runs harder. Use the override wattage field with your label reading for best accuracy.