Free UK calculator
How much does air conditioning cost to run?
Use our air conditioning running cost calculator to estimate the cost per hour, day,
month and year from your unit's electrical input and your electricity tariff.
How much does it cost to run air conditioning in the UK?
As a simple example, an air conditioner drawing 1,000 W on a 26 p/kWh electricity
tariff costs 26p per hour at full rated input. Running it for eight hours costs
£2.08. Your actual cost depends on the unit's electrical input, your tariff and how
long the compressor runs.
Air conditioner running cost formula
Electrical input in kilowatts is multiplied by your electricity unit rate in pence
per kilowatt-hour. A 1,000 W unit on a 26 p/kWh tariff therefore costs about 26 pence
for one hour at full rated input.
Why BTU is not electrical power
BTU and cooling-capacity kW describe heat removed from a room. Running cost must use
electrical input power from the label or manual. Inverter units also reduce power once
a room reaches temperature, so actual costs can be lower than this full-load estimate.
Does the standing charge count?
No. You pay the daily standing charge whether or not the air conditioner is running,
so it is excluded from this marginal usage estimate.
How current are the tariff rates?
Preset rates show when their public source was last checked. Rates older than 48
hours remain available with a warning, and the exact p/kWh figure from your bill
always takes precedence.
Why does my electricity region matter?
Suppliers can charge different unit rates across the 14 GB electricity distribution
regions. Select your region before choosing a preset tariff.