Air Conditioner Cost Calculator
Use the BTU buttons to set typical watts, or read the value from the unit label.
Cost per season
€161,28
Air Conditioner Cost Calculator
Consumption
576 kWh
Per month
€54,48
Per day
€1,79
Indicative estimate: real consumption depends on the energy class and technology (inverter) of the unit, on the insulation of the room and on the set temperature.
How to save
Practical tips to cut your air conditioner consumption
Set the thermostat to 26°C: the gap with the outside should not exceed 6-7°C. Each degree lower increases consumption.
Choose a high energy-class inverter model (A+++): it modulates power continuously and uses far less than old on/off units.
Clean the filters every 2-4 weeks and service the unit yearly: dirty filters and low refrigerant reduce efficiency and raise consumption.
Use the timer and night mode, and combine fans with sun shading (curtains, shutters) to cool with less energy.
Seasonal tips
How to get the most out of your AC in every season
Set 26°C and use the dehumidify mode: lowering humidity improves comfort without dropping the temperature too far.
Close shutters and curtains during the hottest hours to keep the sun heat out.
Cool only the rooms in use and close the doors: cooling the whole home multiplies consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about air conditioner running costs
How much does an air conditioner consume?
It depends on the absorbed power. A typical 9,000 BTU split draws about 700-900 W, a 12,000 BTU one about 1,000-1,200 W. Consumption is: kWh = (Watts ÷ 1,000) × hours of use. Example: 800 W for 8 hours = 6.4 kWh per day; at €0.28/kWh that is about €1.79 per day.
What is the difference between BTU and Watts?
BTU/h measure the cooling capacity (how much cold the unit produces), while the Watts used for consumption are the electrical power drawn from the socket. They must not be confused: a 12,000 BTU unit produces far more cold than the electrical watts it uses, thanks to its efficiency (SEER/COP). For the bill, only the absorbed electrical power in watts matters.
Is an inverter air conditioner worth it?
Yes, in most cases. An inverter modulates power continuously instead of switching on and off: it keeps the temperature more stable and can use 30-50% less, especially with prolonged use. The purchase cost is higher, but it pays off through savings on the bill and better comfort.
What is the ideal air conditioner temperature?
In summer the recommended temperature is 26°C, keeping the gap with the outside no greater than 6-7°C: besides saving, this avoids thermal shocks that are bad for health. The dehumidify mode, which lowers humidity, often gives a cool feeling even at higher temperatures, with lower consumption.
Is it worth using the AC (heat pump) for heating in winter?
Often yes. Many splits are reversible heat pumps: in heating mode they produce more heat than the electricity they consume (COP typically 3-4), so in well-insulated homes and milder climates they can cost less than gas heating. Efficiency falls in very cold weather, so the convenience depends on the climate zone and the home's insulation.
How much does the energy class affect consumption?
A lot. For the same cooling capacity (BTU), a high-class model (A+++) can use 40-50% less than an old low-class one, because it achieves the same cooling with fewer absorbed watts. The energy label shows the SEER (cooling efficiency) and SCOP (heating): the higher they are, the cheaper the unit is to run.
How often should you clean the air conditioner filters?
With regular use you should clean the filters every 2-4 weeks: just wash them with lukewarm water and let them dry. Dirty filters reduce airflow, make the unit work harder (more consumption) and worsen air quality. On top of this comes a yearly service by a technician (refrigerant check, deep coil cleaning), especially before summer.
How many watts does a 9000 BTU air conditioner draw?
In this calculator a 9000 BTU unit is set at 800 watts, a 12000 BTU one at 1100, an 18000 BTU one at 1700 and a 24000 BTU one at 2300. The exact figure is on the rating plate of the unit.
How is the running cost of an air conditioner worked out?
Watts drawn are multiplied by hours of use and by days to give kWh, and the kWh are multiplied by the price of energy. The calculator reports the total per day, per month and per season.
Does the estimate match real consumption?
It stays indicative: real consumption depends on the energy class and the inverter technology of the unit, on how well the room is insulated and on the temperature you set.
Does my data stay private?
Yes, and not because we promise it: this tool runs entirely inside your browser. What you type or upload never leaves your device, so it never reaches a server of ours and there is nothing we could keep, read or lose. You can check it yourself: open the page, disconnect from the internet, and the tool keeps working.
Do you store what I enter?
No. There is no database behind this tool: we do not store your files, your text or your results. When you close the tab nothing is left — not here with us, because it never arrived, and not anywhere else.
Do you profile me? Are you GDPR compliant?
We do not profile you: there is no account to create, we never ask for your email to use a tool, and we keep no profile of what you do. We are an Italian company and we work under the GDPR and the other European rules, with the privacy notice and the consent request in plain sight. One thing we say in full rather than hiding it behind a slogan: the ads on the page are Google's, and Google may use cookies to personalise them. You decide from the consent banner: if you say no the ads stay, but they are not personalised, and the tool works exactly the same.
If it is free, how do you make money?
From the ads on the page, and that is all. We do not sell your data, there is no hidden paid plan, there is no limit that eventually asks for your card, and you do not have to sign up. The ads pay for the servers and for the time we spend writing the tools: that is how we can keep them open to everyone.