How Much Electricity Does A Portable Air Conditioner Use?
A portable air conditioner typically uses about 1,200 watts while running. At 8 hours a day that is 5.76 kWh per day, 173 kWh per month and 2,102 kWh per year (assuming it draws full power about 60% of the time).
Calculate your own cost
- Per hour
- $0.1260.72 kWh
- Per day
- $1.015.76 kWh
- Per week
- $7.0640.3 kWh
- Per month (30 days)
- $30.24173 kWh
- Per year
- $367.922,102 kWh
Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × rate. Edit any box and every number updates instantly.
People also ask
How much does a 1,200-watt portable air conditioner cost per hour?
At $0.175/kWh, it costs $0.126 per hour. The maths: 1,200 W ÷ 1,000 = 1.2 kWh per hour, × $0.175 = $0.21. This page assumes it draws full power about 60% of the time, so the hourly figure shown is lower.
How much does it cost per month?
Used 8 hours a day for 30 days, it costs about $30.24 per month and uses 173 kWh. Change the hours in the calculator above to match how you use it.
How many kWh does it use?
5.76 kWh per day, 173 kWh per month and 2,102 kWh per year at 8 hours a day. A kWh is one kilowatt (1,000 W) used for one hour. It is the unit on your electricity bill.
How can I lower the cost?
Seal the window kit well and keep the exhaust hose short and straight. Check your bill for the exact rate and enter it above.
Does my electricity rate change the answer?
Yes, a lot. At 10¢ per kWh the monthly cost is $17.28 and at 30¢ it is $51.84. Find your rate on your bill (total cost ÷ kWh used) and type it into the calculator.
Cost by hours of use
| Used per day | Energy per day | Cost per day | Cost per month | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.72 kWh | $0.126 | $3.78 | $45.99 |
| 2 hours | 1.44 kWh | $0.252 | $7.56 | $91.98 |
| 3 hours | 2.16 kWh | $0.378 | $11.34 | $137.97 |
| 4 hours | 2.88 kWh | $0.504 | $15.12 | $183.96 |
| 5 hours | 3.6 kWh | $0.63 | $18.90 | $229.95 |
| 6 hours | 4.32 kWh | $0.756 | $22.68 | $275.94 |
| 7 hours | 5.04 kWh | $0.882 | $26.46 | $321.93 |
| 8 hours | 5.76 kWh | $1.01 | $30.24 | $367.92 |
| 9 hours | 6.48 kWh | $1.13 | $34.02 | $413.91 |
| 10 hours | 7.2 kWh | $1.26 | $37.80 | $459.90 |
| 11 hours | 7.92 kWh | $1.39 | $41.58 | $505.89 |
| 12 hours | 8.64 kWh | $1.51 | $45.36 | $551.88 |
| 13 hours | 9.36 kWh | $1.64 | $49.14 | $597.87 |
| 14 hours | 10.1 kWh | $1.76 | $52.92 | $643.86 |
| 15 hours | 10.8 kWh | $1.89 | $56.70 | $689.85 |
| 16 hours | 11.5 kWh | $2.02 | $60.48 | $735.84 |
| 17 hours | 12.2 kWh | $2.14 | $64.26 | $781.83 |
| 18 hours | 13 kWh | $2.27 | $68.04 | $827.82 |
| 19 hours | 13.7 kWh | $2.39 | $71.82 | $873.81 |
| 20 hours | 14.4 kWh | $2.52 | $75.60 | $919.80 |
| 21 hours | 15.1 kWh | $2.65 | $79.38 | $965.79 |
| 22 hours | 15.8 kWh | $2.77 | $83.16 | $1,011.78 |
| 23 hours | 16.6 kWh | $2.90 | $86.94 | $1,057.77 |
| 24 hours | 17.3 kWh | $3.02 | $90.72 | $1,103.76 |
How we worked it out
- Energy per hour: 1,200 W ÷ 1,000 = 1.2 kWh, × 60% of the time at full power = 0.72 kWh
- Cost per hour: 0.72 kWh × $0.175 = $0.126
- Cost per day: × 8 hours = $1.01
- Month and year: × 30 days = $30.24, × 365 days = $367.92
About portable air conditioner running costs
Portable air conditioners are less efficient than window units because the hot exhaust hose heats the room.
Typical sizes: 900 W, 1,200 W, 1,500 W, 1,800 W.
How to spend less: Seal the window kit well and keep the exhaust hose short and straight.
What this estimate assumes
- The appliance draws full power about 60% of the time, because it cycles on and off.
- Wattage is the typical label value, not a measured value. Check the label on your own appliance.
- The rate is an approximate residential average. Your bill may include fixed fees, tiers or time-of-use pricing. Edit the rate above.
- A month is 30 days and a year is 365 days.