Air conditioner running cost calculator
See exactly what your air conditioner costs to run \u2014 and how much a heat-pump unit saves versus an electric heater over a winter. Enter your unit size and typical usage below.
Your unit & usage
Found on the product spec.
UK average ~27p. Check your latest bill.
Estimated annual cost
Cooling / hour
£0
Summer cooling
£120
Heat-pump winter
£122
Heat-pump saving vs electric heater
£305 / year
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to run an air conditioner per hour?
A modern inverter air conditioner typically costs 8–20p per hour to run, depending on its BTU and your electricity tariff. Our calculator gives an exact figure for your unit and usage.
Is a heat-pump air conditioner cheaper to heat with than an electric heater?
Yes — substantially. A heat pump moves 3–4 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity it uses (COP ~3.5), so it costs around a third as much to heat a room as a resistive electric heater of the same output.
Does an inverter air conditioner use less electricity?
Yes. Inverter units modulate the compressor down once the set temperature is reached rather than switching fully on and off, which is typically 30–40% more efficient than non-inverter models.