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HVAC
By Joanna Brown
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Posted 8/1/23

When summer rolls around, you can expect your energy bills to spike. This is a bummer for many homeowners after a nice month or so of low energy costs, thanks to spring’s mild temperatures. You’ve probably wondered how much does it cost to run an AC, which is helpful to know so you can estimate your summertime utility costs and stick to your budget.

There is no one answer for how much does it cost to run an AC unit, as all homes are different and several variables will affect the cost. Learn what those are, how they affect your cooling costs, as well as averages so you can estimate your seasonal cooling costs.

There is no one answer for how much does it cost to run an AC unit, as all homes are different and several variables will affect the cost. Learn what those are, how they affect your cooling costs, as well as averages so you can estimate your seasonal cooling costs.

AC Cost Factors

There are a few factors that will affect how much it costs to run AC units – no two households are likely to have the same exact costs. Here are the variables and how they impact your AC operating costs:

Air Conditioner Cost Calculator

How Much Does HVAC Replacement Cost?

Average Cost: $3,250 – $12,586

Like your home and needs, your HVAC project cost will be unique. Use the calculator to better estimate your investment.

*Estimate is based on current data and does not represent a guaranteed price. For accurate pricing contact a local HVAC dealer.

$5,000 – $6,000

Estimated Total

The average cost for a new HVAC system is $3,250 to $12,550, which includes equipment and labor fees for the installation of a central AC unit and gas furnace. The chosen HVAC brand, necessary ductwork repair, and your location will influence the project cost.

Formula for Determining AC Costs to Operate

To determine how much energy your air conditioner consumes and how much does it cost to run your AC, you can estimate it using energy regarding your unit and plugging it into a formula.

How Much Does It Cost to Run AC for an Hour?

Use your kWh unit cost to find out how much does it cost to run the AC for an hour. For example, HVAC.com’s headquarters is in Ohio, and the average residential kWh cost is 12.55. Our 3-ton air conditioner that uses 4.32 kWh multiplied by the kWh cost of 12.55 equals 54.216. This is $0.54216. This is the cost to run an air conditioner for an hour.

The formula is kWh x kWh unit cost = cost to operate an AC for an hour.

To determine how much it will cost you to run your air conditioner all summer, total the number of hours the unit will run over the season and multiply by the kWh cost.

How Much Does It Cost to Run AC All Day?

To find out how much does it cost to run AC all day, use the cost you found for the one-hour period, and multiply it by the amount of hours your AC runs during the day. This number varies between households, as many families set back their thermostats while gone for the day, while other homes may be occupied throughout the day.

This total varies greatly based on the temperatures you keep your home and for how long, as well as the outdoor temperature. This general total will give you a rough idea of how much it will cost to run the system throughout the day.

Let’s say your air conditioner runs for 8 hours out of the day total. $0.54216 x 8 hours = $4.33728

How Much Does It Cost to Run AC All Night?

To find out how much does it cost to run AC all night, determine how many hours your air conditioner will run overnight. For the purpose of example, let’s say your air conditioner runs 7 hours each night.

$0.54216 x 7 hours = $3.79512