How Much Does Air Conditioning Cost to Run?
It's one of the first questions people ask when thinking about air conditioning. The good news is that modern systems are far more efficient than many people expect. Here's how running costs work, and how to keep them down.
The short answer
A typical modern single-room wall-mounted unit often costs somewhere in the region of 10p–20p an hour to run once the room has reached temperature. It uses more when first cooling or heating a room down, and larger or multi-room systems cost more. Your actual cost depends on the unit, the room and your electricity tariff.
How to work out the cost yourself
You can estimate running costs with a simple sum:- Power used (kW) × hours of use × your electricity price per kWh
- 0.6 × 8 × £0.27 = about £1.30 for the day
What affects running costs?
- Correct sizing – a unit that's too small works flat out all the time; one that's the right size runs gently and efficiently.
- Efficiency rating – look for a high SEER (cooling) and SCOP (heating) rating. Higher numbers mean lower running costs.
- Your home – insulation, glazing and how much sun a room gets all make a difference.
- Temperature setting – every degree cooler (or warmer in winter) uses more energy.
- Servicing – dirty filters and coils make the system work harder and cost more to run.
- Inverter technology – modern inverter units are much more efficient than older fixed-speed systems.
Is it cheaper than other ways of heating a room?
Most modern split systems also work as an air-to-air heat pump. Instead of turning electricity directly into heat like a plug-in heater, they move heat from the outside air into your room. A good system can typically deliver around 3–4 units of heat for every unit of electricity it uses, which can make it a cost-effective way to heat individual rooms such as a home office, conservatory or bedroom.
Tips to keep your running costs down
- Set a sensible temperature – around 21–24°C is comfortable for cooling for most people.
- Keep doors and windows closed while the system is running.
- Use timers and eco modes so it isn't running in empty rooms.
- Close blinds or curtains on sunny days to reduce heat gain.
- Clean the filters regularly, as shown in your user guide.
- Book an annual service to keep it running at peak efficiency.
Want an accurate estimate for your home?
During our free survey we'll recommend the right size and type of system for your space and talk you through the expected running costs, so there are no surprises. We cover Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Related: Do I need planning permission for air conditioning? · Air conditioning FAQs · Our air conditioning services