How Many Kwh Does An Ac Use

How much ability does an air conditioner employ? Knowing the respond to this question can help you in a number of means. For case, y'all might be looking to predict costs before installing a new unit of measurement. Any the case, this guide will give you an thought of the energy usage associated with various types of air conditioners.

How Much Power Does An Air Conditioner Use? Rough Numbers

An air conditioning unit used to represent the concept of "how much power does an air conditioner use?"

There are many variables that can impact your air conditioner's energy efficiency. As such, calculations for your abode may differ from estimates you'll find online. While we'll explore those factors in the next section, let'due south beginning run through some general numbers. Predictably, these vary depending on what blazon of air conditioner you lot have.

How Much Ability Does A Central Air Conditioner Utilise?

The boilerplate central air conditioner uses betwixt 3000 and 3500 watts per hr during the warm month. Air conditioners in Phoenix and other very warm climates can run at that level for much of the year. If you're running your central air conditioner on 'fan just' way, however, energy usage drops to about 750 watts per hr.

How Much Electricity Does A Portable Air Conditioner Use?

Mid-sized portable air conditioners use an average of 2900 watts per hr. Particularly big units can exceed the electricity usage of even central air conditioners, expending about 4100 watts per hour. Cheque out this mail to learn more about air conditioner sizes and how they're measured. Y'all tin also read the guide on "How to use portable ac without window".

Window Air Conditioner Free energy Usage

A medium-sized window air conditioner uses 900 watts per hr. On the smaller side, you'll find usage of about 500 watts per hour while larger units use 1440 watts. You can cheque out our article on "Window Unit vs Cardinal Air Conditioner" for more data about window unit power consumption, besides bank check out our guide on window AC insulation installation.

Making Cents Of This Information

Now, unless you're looking to reduce carbon emissions, your primary business organization when it comes to energy usage is probably not the nominal wattage statistics. Rather, you're likely concerned about dollars and cents. In the land of Arizona, electricity costs an average of 12.eight cents per kilowatt-hr which is stems from the warm climate and poor air quality in Phoenix and other cities in Arizona. With this piece of information, calculating your energy costs is fairly like shooting fish in a barrel. Just split your watt per hour approximate by 1000 and then multiply the result past 12.8 cents for every hour your air conditioner really runs.

That last office is important equally air conditioners don't run consistently for hours on end. Rather, Air conditioning cycles on and off as needed. Calculating the usage per hour your air conditioner is set to the 'on' position will give y'all an artificially-high number since nigh air conditioners run for cycles of xv minutes as infrequently as twice hourly. All factors considered, Arizona residents spend an average of $400 annually on air workout.

Continue in mind that these are Arizona-specific figures based on average air conditioner energy usage and electricity costs. The exact numbers volition differ depending on where you alive. Numbers in states like Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico are nearly double what people in libation states pay, according to federal energy statistics.

Factors That Touch on Air Conditioner Electricity Usage

At present that nosotros've given you a general reply to the question "how much power does an air conditioner employ," let'southward explore the more nuanced factors that can raise or lower those numbers.

Your Air Conditioner'south Capacity

Air conditioner capacity is, unsurprisingly, the biggest determinant of energy usage. Experts measure capacity based on British thermal units. Generally, you need about twenty BTUs per foursquare foot, adjusted for your local climate and home's conditions. The larger your abode, the greater the cooling capacity required, and the more free energy you're going to subsequently spend.

Your Air Conditioner's Efficiency Rating

Of course, not all air conditioners providing the advisable number of BTUs will operate at the same efficiency. Air conditioners come with what's known every bit a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating. Information technology represents the ratio of cooling output per flavor divided by the number of watts used per hr. The higher your air conditioner's SEER rating, the more efficient it will be. Federal regulations crave a minimum SEER rating of 13 or xiv depending on your environment merely you lot can find units with ratings as high as 25.

Climate

In regions like Arizona, you're going to need a more than powerful air conditioner than y'all would in, say, New York. Those boosted BTUs will equate to greater energy usage. Some other good idea would be to become a PRV to insure ensure safe operation of all plumbing equipment.

Your Maintenance Routine

At American Home Water and Air, nosotros recommend having your air conditioner professionally serviced at least twice annually to go on information technology running at peak efficiency. In between professional services, yet, there'due south something very important you need to practice on your ain: change or make clean your filters. Yous might be surprised at how rapidly clay and debris can clog up your filters and cause airflow issues. If your air conditioner's filters are reusable, bank check out this post for some tips on cleaning them monthly. Disposable filters, meanwhile, should be replaced every month.

Temperature Settings

One simple way to improve air conditioner efficiency is by maintaining consistent temperature settings throughout the 24-hour interval. Some manufacturers recommend keeping the unit set to 75 degrees, which is often the default temperature. Setting your air conditioner lower or altering its temperature throughout the 24-hour interval tin can pb to higher energy usage.

Insulation

A properly-insulated habitation makes your air conditioner's job much easier by not allowing cold air to escape. Pay special attention to your insulation if you live in an older home as these tend to be subpar in this department.

How Much Power Does My Air Conditioner Use? Conclusion

While air conditioners are fairly energy-intensive, their exact energy usage depends on several factors. Generally speaking, still, yous tin expect a central air conditioner to utilize between 3000 and 3500 watts per hour. Portable units use between 2900 and 4100 watts per hr while window units range betwixt 900 and 1440.

Earlier purchasing an air conditioner, talk with your local expert to ensure y'all strike a practiced balance between convenience and efficiency. Give us at American Home H2o and Air a telephone call or fill out our contact course here and cheque out our FAQ'south to learn more about our services. You can detect our HVAC and plumbing services in Sun City, Glendale, Mesa, Scottsdale and other regions of the Phoenix metro area.

Oft Asked Questions

How much electricity does a 12,000 BTU air conditioner utilize?

A 12,000 BTU air conditioner uses roughly 900 watts per hour, assuming a minimum SEER rating of 13. You tin accomplish much more efficient performance with a better rating.

How much does your electric beak get up with an air conditioner?

In Arizona, people spend an average of $400 annually on cooling their homes. Of course, abnormally large properties will crave higher capacity air conditioners that are consequentially more expensive.

Do air conditioners use a lot of electricity?

Your air conditioner will probable exist the most energy-intensive apparatus in your home. That's peculiarly truthful in the American southwest, where air conditioners run for much of the yr.

How much does it cost to run an air conditioner all day?

The toll depends on your air conditioner'southward kilowatt per hr usage. Throughout America, free energy costs about 12 cents per kilowatt hour. Information technology'southward too of import to point out that "running your air conditioner all day" may not mean what you lot think it does. Air conditioners run at cycles of near xv minutes as little as twice hourly. A properly-sized unit will be able to do its chore within that time, negating the need to run consistently.