Air Conditioner Running Cost Calculator
Estimate air-conditioner monthly and annual electricity use, operating cost, effective compressor hours and cost per cooling hour.
Default project preview
$81.28
Monthly electricity
396 kWh
Energy-only cost
$71.28
Annual operating cost
$975.36
Effective runtime
180 h/month
Calculator
Build the material order
Your order will appear here
Enter the project details and calculate a rounded material estimate.
Input and output guide
What each value means
The labels and units below are part of this calculator’s visible methodology. Replace every default with measurements or product data from the actual project.
Rated cooling capacity
Enter this project assumption in BTU/h. The current imperial default is 24000 BTU/h.
Electrical input power
Enter this project assumption in kW. The current imperial default is 2.2 kW.
Scheduled operating time
Enter this project assumption in hours/day. The current imperial default is 10 hours/day. Minimum: 0. Maximum: 24.
Operating days per month
Enter this project assumption in days. The current imperial default is 30 days. Minimum: 0. Maximum: 31.
Average compressor duty cycle
Enter this project assumption in %. The current imperial default is 60 %. Minimum: 0. Maximum: 100.
Electricity price
Enter this project assumption in per kWh. The current imperial default is 0.18 per kWh. Minimum: 0.
Monthly maintenance allowance
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 10. Minimum: 0.
How to read the outputs
Monthly electricity
compressor input estimate. Default preview: 396 kWh.
Energy-only cost
before maintenance allowance. Default preview: $71.28.
Annual operating cost
12 identical months. Default preview: $975.36.
Effective runtime
60% duty cycle. Default preview: 180 h/month.
Thermal/electric ratio
capacity ÷ input power. Default preview: 3.2.
Cost per effective hour
including maintenance allowance. Default preview: $0.45.
Methodology
Transparent calculation
BuildMeter converts every input to a consistent internal unit, applies the selected allowance, and rounds products up to whole purchasable units.
Effective hours = scheduled hours × duty cycle. Monthly energy = input kW × effective hours. Monthly cost = energy × electricity price + maintenance allowance.
Reviewed project guidance
How to use this estimate in a real project
Last reviewed: July 30, 2026
Estimate electricity use and operating cost from input power, runtime, duty cycle and tariff.
Calculation steps
- 1Enter the actual project dimensions or operating values.
- 2Apply the calculator formula using consistent units.
- 3Review the unrounded result and the editable allowance.
- 4Round only to the product, stock length or equipment increment actually purchased.
Worked numerical example
A 1.5 kW unit running 8 hours at a 60% duty cycle uses 7.2 kWh; at ₪0.65/kWh the daily cost is ₪4.68.
Purchasing and rounding
Use the unit's electrical input power or measured energy use rather than its cooling-capacity rating. Apply the local electricity tariff and a realistic duty cycle; for inverter equipment, seasonal or metered consumption is usually more useful than assuming full rated input for every operating hour.
Interpret the result
The result is an operating-cost scenario for the runtime, duty cycle and tariff entered. It is useful for comparing schedules or equipment, but actual bills vary with weather, thermostat settings, part-load efficiency, standby consumption and utility tariff structure.
Page-specific assumptions
- Inputs describe one consistent project condition.
- Entered yields and efficiencies match the selected product or equipment.
- Site-specific code and engineering requirements are checked separately.
Common mistakes
- Mixing imperial and metric inputs.
- Using nominal dimensions where actual coverage controls.
- Rounding intermediate values too early.
- Treating a quantity estimate as design approval.
Primary and technical references
BuildMeter provides planning estimates, not engineering, architectural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, permit or code approval. Review the methodology and verify final decisions with product documentation and qualified professionals.
FAQ
Air Conditioner Running Cost Calculator questions
What is duty cycle?+
It is the share of scheduled time that the compressor operates at the entered input power.
Do inverter air conditioners use constant power?+
No. Variable-speed systems modulate, so average input can differ substantially from rated input.
Why can actual bills differ?+
Weather, thermostat settings, occupancy, insulation and rate structures all change energy use and cost.