Data through June 2026
Cost to run · North Carolina · 14.7¢/kWh residential average
How much does it cost to run a room air conditioner in North Carolina?
$78/yr · median certified model
Residential electricity in North Carolina runs 14.7¢/kWh — 20% under the U.S. average — putting the median certified room air conditioner at about $78 a year, versus $98 nationally.
North Carolina ranks 11 of 51 jurisdictions for room air conditioner running costs — solidly mid-table. At local rates, certified models span $38 (Brothers 102372) to $309 (Friedrich KCVL36B30A) per year — $271 of annual headroom that depends entirely on which unit you buy. For reference, the national extremes are Nevada (13.1¢/kWh) and Hawaii (52.7¢/kWh); the same median room air conditioner would cost $70 and $280 a year there.
The cheapest room air conditioners to run at North Carolina rates
| # | Model | kWh/yr | $/yr in NC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brothers 102372 | 260 | $38 |
| 2 | Midea MWEUWA-05CRFN8-BCN4 | 260 | $38 |
| 3 | Vissani VAW05V1KWT | 260 | $38 |
| 4 | TCL T05WV9M | 274 | $40 |
| 5 | TCL T05WV9MB | 274 | $40 |
| 6 | TCL T05WV9R | 274 | $40 |
| 7 | TCL T05WV9RB | 274 | $40 |
| 8 | TCL W5WC72 | 274 | $40 |
| 9 | TCL W5WC72-B | 274 | $40 |
| 10 | TCL W5WC72M | 274 | $40 |
Price any model at North Carolina rates
Your rate, your numbers
- Per day
- 21¢
- Per month
- $6.53
- Per year
- $78
532 kWh/yr × 14.7¢/kWh = $78/yr
Prefilled with the median certified room air conditioner (532 kWh/yr). Every model page on this site carries its exact certified figure.
Questions, answered with the data
- How much does it cost to run a room air conditioner in North Carolina?
- About $78 a year for the median ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioner, at North Carolina's average residential rate of 14.7¢/kWh — that's $6.53 a month.
- Is electricity expensive in North Carolina?
- North Carolina's residential average of 14.7¢/kWh is 20% below the U.S. average of 18.3¢/kWh, ranking 11 of 51 jurisdictions (1 = cheapest).
- What's the cheapest room air conditioner to run in North Carolina?
- Among currently certified models, the Brothers 102372 costs the least at about $38 a year at North Carolina rates (260 kWh/yr).
- How does North Carolina compare with other states?
- The same median room air conditioner costs $70 a year in Nevada (the cheapest state) and $280 in Hawaii (the priciest). North Carolina sits at $78.
Keep digging
- All certified room air conditioners compared
- Room Air Conditioners costs in Oklahoma (rank 9 of 51)
- Room Air Conditioners costs in Idaho (rank 10 of 51)
- Room Air Conditioners costs in Mississippi (rank 12 of 51)
- Room Air Conditioners costs in Washington (rank 13 of 51)
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Rate source: US EIA, average residential price of electricity, see methodology.