Data through June 2026
Calculator · wattage estimate
Portable Air Conditioner running cost calculator
These are estimates, not certified measurements.
Typical draw by BTU class for single-hose portable units; actual compressor duty cycle varies with room and weather. For certified per-model data, see window/room air conditioners.
Portable ACs are the least efficient way to buy cooling — if a window unit fits, its certified numbers are almost always better.
Calculator
Estimate — watts × hours × your rate
- Per day
- $1.61
- Per month
- $49.09
- Per year
- $589
1,100 W × 8 h/day × 365 ÷ 1,000 = 3,212 kWh/yr × 18.3¢ = $589/yr
Eight hours approximates cooling a room through the hot part of the day.
Typical wattages
| Setting | Watts |
|---|---|
| Small (8k BTU, ~900 W) | 900 |
| Medium (10–12k BTU, ~1,100 W) | 1,100 |
| Large (14k BTU, ~1,400 W) | 1,400 |
Estimated annual cost by state
| State | Rate ¢/kWh | Est. $/yr | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.4¢ | $527 | |
| Alaska | 28.2¢ | $906 | |
| Arizona | 15.2¢ | $488 | |
| Arkansas | 14.1¢ | $454 | |
| California | 34.7¢ | $1,116 | |
| Colorado | 17.1¢ | $550 | |
| Connecticut | 24.3¢ | $781 | |
| Delaware | 19.3¢ | $620 | |
| District of Columbia | 24.4¢ | $783 | |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $485 | |
| Georgia | 16.4¢ | $525 | |
| Hawaiipriciest | 52.7¢ | $1,693 | |
| Idaho | 14.4¢ | $462 | |
| Illinois | 19.9¢ | $639 | |
| Indiana | 17.5¢ | $562 | |
| Iowa | 15.9¢ | $512 | |
| Kansas | 15.7¢ | $505 | |
| Kentucky | 14.3¢ | $458 | |
| Louisiana | 13.5¢ | $433 | |
| Maine | 29.6¢ | $950 | |
| Maryland | 21.8¢ | $702 | |
| Massachusetts | 29.6¢ | $951 | |
| Michigan | 23.0¢ | $738 | |
| Minnesota | 17.5¢ | $563 | |
| Mississippi | 14.9¢ | $478 | |
| Missouri | 16.2¢ | $521 | |
| Montana | 15.1¢ | $486 | |
| Nebraska | 13.3¢ | $426 | |
| Nevadacheapest | 13.1¢ | $421 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.0¢ | $868 | |
| New Jersey | 24.9¢ | $801 | |
| New Mexico | 15.1¢ | $484 | |
| New York | 29.5¢ | $947 | |
| North Carolina | 14.7¢ | $473 | |
| North Dakota | 14.1¢ | $454 | |
| Ohio | 19.2¢ | $616 | |
| Oklahoma | 14.3¢ | $460 | |
| Oregon | 16.3¢ | $524 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.7¢ | $698 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.2¢ | $939 | |
| South Carolina | 15.6¢ | $499 | |
| South Dakota | 15.4¢ | $493 | |
| Tennessee | 14.1¢ | $452 | |
| Texas | 15.9¢ | $512 | |
| Utah | 13.4¢ | $429 | |
| Vermont | 24.4¢ | $785 | |
| Virginia | 17.2¢ | $553 | |
| Washington | 14.9¢ | $479 | |
| West Virginia | 15.4¢ | $496 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.6¢ | $628 | |
| Wyoming | 15.2¢ | $490 |
Certified data exists nearby
ENERGY STAR certifies related equipment with real per-model figures — see all 439 certified room air conditioners.
Questions, answered with the data
- How much does a portable air conditioner cost per hour?
- At a typical 1100 W draw and the U.S. average rate of 18.3¢/kWh, about 20.2¢ an hour. That ranges from 14.4¢ in Nevada to 58.0¢ in Hawaii.
- What does 8 hours a day add up to?
- 1100 W × 8 h/day comes to about $49.09 a month ($589 a year) at the U.S. average rate. Eight hours approximates cooling a room through the hot part of the day.
- Why is this an estimate instead of certified data?
- Typical draw by BTU class for single-hose portable units; actual compressor duty cycle varies with room and weather. For certified per-model data, see window/room air conditioners.