Cost to run a window AC in every state
For an 8,000 BTU unit with a CEER of 11, running 8 hours a day, 30 days a month, at each state's average residential electricity rate (August 2026, EIA). Click a state for more detail.
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $0.09 | $22.20 | $266.43 |
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $0.09 | $22.46 | $269.57 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $0.10 | $23.23 | $278.78 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $0.10 | $23.23 | $278.78 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $0.10 | $23.34 | $280.04 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $0.10 | $23.42 | $281.09 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $0.10 | $23.63 | $283.60 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $0.10 | $24.09 | $289.05 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $0.10 | $25.08 | $300.99 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $0.10 | $25.19 | $302.24 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $0.10 | $25.19 | $302.24 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $0.11 | $25.54 | $306.43 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $0.11 | $25.87 | $310.41 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $0.11 | $26.09 | $313.13 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $0.11 | $26.16 | $313.97 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $0.11 | $26.27 | $315.23 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $0.11 | $26.44 | $317.32 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $0.11 | $27.00 | $324.03 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $0.11 | $27.18 | $326.12 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $0.11 | $27.51 | $330.10 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $0.12 | $27.75 | $333.03 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $0.12 | $27.77 | $333.24 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $0.12 | $27.79 | $333.45 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $0.12 | $27.96 | $335.55 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $0.12 | $28.47 | $341.62 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $0.12 | $28.50 | $342.04 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $0.12 | $28.82 | $345.81 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $0.12 | $29.71 | $356.49 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $0.12 | $29.78 | $357.33 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $0.12 | $29.97 | $359.63 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $0.13 | $30.02 | $360.26 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $0.13 | $30.79 | $369.48 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $0.14 | $32.64 | $391.68 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $0.14 | $33.72 | $404.67 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $0.14 | $33.83 | $405.92 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $0.14 | $33.88 | $406.55 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $0.16 | $37.35 | $448.23 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $0.16 | $38.00 | $455.98 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $0.17 | $40.13 | $481.54 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $0.17 | $41.61 | $499.34 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $0.18 | $42.78 | $513.37 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $0.18 | $42.96 | $515.47 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $0.19 | $45.35 | $544.16 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $0.20 | $48.24 | $578.93 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $0.20 | $49.19 | $590.24 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $0.21 | $50.01 | $600.09 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $0.21 | $51.33 | $616.01 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $0.22 | $51.93 | $623.13 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $0.22 | $53.20 | $638.42 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $0.23 | $56.05 | $672.56 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $0.34 | $82.35 | $988.21 |
How the cost is calculated
Divide the cooling capacity by the efficiency ratio: BTU ÷ CEER = watts. An 8,000 BTU unit with a CEER of 11 draws about 730 W while the compressor runs.
How to lower the cost
- Pick the size the ENERGY STAR chart recommends for the room; oversized units waste energy and leave the air clammy.
- Seal the gaps around the unit with the foam panels that come with it.
- Clean the filter every couple of weeks during the season.
