Data through April 2026
Category · 396 certified models
Room Air Conditioners: what they cost to run
Seasonal appliances concentrate their cost into a few months. On the DOE's standardized basis of 750 hours a year, the 396 certified room air conditioners here span $52–$395 annually (median $100).
Cooling capacity (BTU/hr) sets the baseline draw, so compare CEER within a size class; variable-speed compressors stretch efficiency further at partial load. Every figure on this page comes from ENERGY STAR's certified test data — the 274–2,096 kWh/yr range you see is measured, not estimated.
- Median cost
- $100/yr
- Cheapest model
- $52/yr
- Priciest model
- $395/yr
The 10 cheapest to run
| # | Model | kWh/yr | $/yr (US avg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TCL T05WV9M | 274 | $52 |
| 2 | TCL T05WV9MB | 274 | $52 |
| 3 | TCL T05WV9R | 274 | $52 |
| 4 | TCL T05WV9RB | 274 | $52 |
| 5 | TCL W5WC72 | 274 | $52 |
| 6 | TCL W5WC72-B | 274 | $52 |
| 7 | TCL W5WC72M | 274 | $52 |
| 8 | TCL W5WC72M-B | 274 | $52 |
| 9 | LG LW6023IVSMmost efficient | 290 | $55 |
| 10 | Midea MAW06U1QWTmost efficient | 298 | $56 |
Typical cost by state
| State | Rate ¢/kWh | Median $/yr | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 17.4¢ | $93 | |
| Alaska | 27.4¢ | $145 | |
| Arizona | 15.5¢ | $82 | |
| Arkansas | 14.2¢ | $75 | |
| California | 35.3¢ | $187 | |
| Colorado | 16.5¢ | $88 | |
| Connecticut | 32.2¢ | $171 | |
| Delaware | 18.8¢ | $100 | |
| District of Columbia | 25.4¢ | $135 | |
| Florida | 15.4¢ | $82 | |
| Georgia | 15.4¢ | $82 | |
| Hawaiipriciest | 46.6¢ | $248 | |
| Idaho | 12.7¢ | $68 | |
| Illinois | 20.5¢ | $109 | |
| Indiana | 17.9¢ | $95 | |
| Iowa | 13.9¢ | $74 | |
| Kansas | 15.8¢ | $84 | |
| Kentucky | 15.0¢ | $80 | |
| Louisiana | 14.4¢ | $77 | |
| Maine | 28.4¢ | $151 | |
| Maryland | 22.1¢ | $117 | |
| Massachusetts | 29.4¢ | $157 | |
| Michigan | 21.4¢ | $114 | |
| Minnesota | 16.4¢ | $87 | |
| Mississippi | 16.8¢ | $89 | |
| Missouri | 14.0¢ | $75 | |
| Montana | 13.9¢ | $74 | |
| Nebraska | 13.3¢ | $71 | |
| Nevada | 14.3¢ | $76 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.2¢ | $145 | |
| New Jersey | 23.5¢ | $125 | |
| New Mexico | 15.2¢ | $81 | |
| New York | 29.4¢ | $157 | |
| North Carolina | 16.3¢ | $86 | |
| North Dakotacheapest | 12.3¢ | $66 | |
| Ohio | 19.5¢ | $104 | |
| Oklahoma | 13.3¢ | $71 | |
| Oregon | 15.8¢ | $84 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.5¢ | $114 | |
| Rhode Island | 28.3¢ | $151 | |
| South Carolina | 17.1¢ | $91 | |
| South Dakota | 14.5¢ | $77 | |
| Tennessee | 14.9¢ | $79 | |
| Texas | 17.0¢ | $90 | |
| Utah | 13.3¢ | $71 | |
| Vermont | 24.6¢ | $131 | |
| Virginia | 17.4¢ | $92 | |
| Washington | 14.4¢ | $76 | |
| West Virginia | 16.1¢ | $85 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.2¢ | $102 | |
| Wyoming | 14.7¢ | $78 |
How to read these numbers
The certified annual kWh assumes 750 cooling hours per year (the DOE standard). In hot climates real usage can run well above that; in mild ones, below. Full methodology and limitations →
Questions, answered with the data
- How much does a room air conditioner cost to run per year?
- The median ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioner costs about $100 a year at the U.S. average rate (18.8¢/kWh). Across all 396 certified models, costs range from $52 to $395.
- How much electricity does a room air conditioner use?
- Certified models use between 274 and 2,096 kWh per year (median 532). The certified annual kWh assumes 750 cooling hours per year (the DOE standard). In hot climates real usage can run well above that; in mild ones, below.
- Where is a room air conditioner cheapest and most expensive to run?
- North Dakota has the lowest residential rate (12.3¢/kWh), putting the median room air conditioner at $66 a year; Hawaii (46.6¢/kWh) is the most expensive at $248.
- What makes one room air conditioner cheaper to run than another?
- Cooling capacity (BTU/hr) sets the baseline draw, so compare CEER within a size class; variable-speed compressors stretch efficiency further at partial load.