AC systems typically consume more electricity than anything else in your home, especially if you live in a warm climate. For homeowners wondering “exactly how much electricity does an air conditioner use,” the answer is based on several factors. Understanding them will help you budget effectively and determine whether an upgrade will help you save money in the long run.
How Much Electricity Do Air Conditioners Use?
Air conditioners are power intensive. Even though they’re normally active for only 4-6 months a year, their electricity requirements are typically larger than the other systems in your home.
Like most appliances, an air conditioner’s energy usage depends on its size, type, and age. Size, in this context, refers to a unit’s cooling capacity, measured in BTUs. Type is linked to size. Small air conditioners can’t cool large homes, but they provide more options when it comes to placement and set up. The power demands for the most common types of air conditioners are as follows.
- Central Air Conditioner. Central air conditioning systems have cooling capacities of 18,000-50,000 BTUs and consume roughly 3,000-3,500 watts per hour.
- Split Air Conditioner. Designed for zone cooling, split air conditioners are rated from 5,000-18,000 BTUs and use 500-2,000 watts an hour.
- Window Air Conditioner. A common feature in apartments, window air conditioners provide 5,000-12,000 BTUs of cooling power and require 900-1,440 watts every hour.
- Portable Air Conditioner. Generally used for spot cooling, portable air conditioners have a cooling capacity of 4,000-14,000 BTUs and consume 2,900-4,100 watts per hour.
For comparison, here is the hourly wattage for the five most common household appliances.
- Refrigerator. 100-800 watts
- Washing Machine. 400-1,400 watts
- Clothes Dryer. 1,800-5,000 watts
- Microwave. 600-1,200 watts
- Television. 60-150 watts
Keep in mind that as systems wear down over time, their energy usage gradually creeps up. In fact, rising energy bills are one of the signs your air conditioner is nearing the end of its lifespan. New systems not only face fewer mechanical issues, they also benefit from modern technology, such as variable-speed compressors and eco-refrigerants, that transfer heat more effectively, reducing power demands.
Why Do Air Conditioners Use So Much Electricity?
Air conditioners are complex machines responsible for controlling temperatures in large, enclosed spaces. Transferring heat is a difficult task, particularly when it’s hot outside. Heat naturally flows from warm areas to cold ones, so as temperatures climb, cooling your house becomes more challenging.
The cooling process is driven by three core parts: the condenser fan, the circulating fan, and the compressor. The circulating fan keeps air flowing through the evaporator, which absorbs heat and transfers it outside where it’s dispersed by the condenser fan. But while each of these components consumes a significant amount of power, the compressor uses most of the system’s energy. A compressor is basically an electric motor that converts low-pressure gas into high-pressure gas by squeezing it through a narrow valve in the condenser coils.
Most air conditioning systems work nonstop throughout the day, often running for six to eight hours at a time. The resistance and heat generated by this repeated mechanical action dramatically increases the electrical current the compressor requires in order to keep the system operating, which is why air conditioners use so much electricity.
Calculating AC Power Consumption
To estimate how much electricity your air conditioner uses, multiply its power rating by the average number of hours you run it each day. The rating is normally listed on the unit’s data plate or in the manufacturer’s specifications. Keep in mind that while the power rating is listed in watts, power companies base their charges on kilowatt hours (kWh).
If you ran a 1,000 watt washing machine for an hour, it would consume one kWh. If you ran a 2,000 watt clothes dryer for an hour, it would consume two kWh, while a 100 watt television would only consume 0.10 kWh. If your AC unit has a rating of 3,000 watts, it uses around three kWh every hour. If you run it six hours a day, it will use approximately 18 kWh.
For a sense of how well your system performs against other air conditioners, check its Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), which measures how much cool air the unit generates for every watt of electricity it consumes. If your unit delivers 60,000 BTUs and requires 3,750 watts an hour, then its SEER is 12 (60,000 ÷ 3,750 = 16).
Modern air conditioners have SEERs of 14-26, but older units might have SEERs as low as ten. A truly outdated unit might have a SEER that’s even lower. It’s important to remember that SEERs are averages. They tell you how well your unit performs over the course of a year, not at peak efficiency. Juxtaposing your energy usage and efficiency ratio tells you how well your system works compared to how well it should work. A large gap indicates your air conditioner is no longer providing value and that it may be time to consider an upgrade.
Save on Energy Related Repairs with Agway
No air conditioning system can function well without reliable support. Constant use wears down critical components, increasing the likelihood of failure, often when you need cool air the most. Home insurance won’t help you with these types of problems, but Agway will. Our EnergyGuard program protects your heating, cooling, and electrical systems from problems stemming from daily use.
When the need for repair occurs, our customers don’t waste time searching for a qualified technician. They call us instead. Our service team maintains an extensive network of electricians and HVAC contractors and sends the first available one straight to your door. There are no service fees or deductibles either. We pay for the visit and all covered parts. Don’t let a sudden breakdown leave you sweating. Sign up with Agway Energy Services® and start enjoying the benefits of EnergyGuard today!
