❄️ Portable air conditioner

How much electricity does a portable air conditioner use? Cost per hour vs a split

Portable air conditioner electricity use in kWh, cost per hour and per summer, and why it uses more than a split unit.

Typical power

1,000 W

Cost per hour

$0.18 · £0.26

Per year · 360 kWh

$65 · £94

With 6 hours a day for 60 days a year, electricity at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh all-in.

A 2.6 kW (9,000 BTU) portable air conditioner draws about 1,000 W: 1 kWh every hour, more than twice an inverter split of the same size.

It uses more for two reasons. The compressor is usually not inverter-driven, so it always runs flat out. And the hose blows room air outside: warm air is pulled back in through gaps around doors and windows and has to be cooled again.

Consumption compared

TypeUsagekWh/yearCost/year
2 kW (7,000 BTU)750 W270$49 · £70
2.6 kW (9,000 BTU)1,000 W360$65 · £94
3.5 kW (12,000 BTU)1,300 W468$84 · £122
Inverter split 2.5 kW, for comparison450 W162$29 · £42
Evaporative cooler80 W29$5 · £7

Yearly cost with 6 hours a day for 60 days a year.

Work out your cost

Per hour
$0.18
Per month
$5.40
Per year
$65
Energy per year
360 kWh

The price is a typical all-in figure for your country: replace it with yours (bill total ÷ kWh).

How to use less

  • Seal the window around the hose with a proper kit: it makes the biggest difference to consumption.
  • Keep the hose short and straight, and close the room door.
  • Use dehumidify mode on muggy days: it uses less and is often enough.
  • If you run it all summer, an inverter split pays for itself in a few seasons.
Lower-energy modelsCompare prices and energy labels on AmazonAmazon ↗

FAQ

How much electricity does a portable air conditioner use?
About 1,000 W, or 1 kWh for each hour of use; from 600 to 1,500 W depending on the model.
How much does it cost per year?
With 6 hours a day for 60 days a year it uses about 360 kWh a year: about $65 · £94 at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh.
How can I reduce it?
Seal the window around the hose with a proper kit: it makes the biggest difference to consumption. Keep the hose short and straight, and close the room door.
❄️GuideHow much does air conditioning cost to run?

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