Air Conditioning Energy Usage Calculator
Estimate the electricity cost and power consumption of air conditioning units using BTU, Tonnage, and SEER ratings.
About
Air conditioning systems are often the largest consumers of electricity in a household. Predicting their operating cost requires understanding the relationship between cooling capacity (BTU/hr or Tons) and efficiency ratings (SEER or EER). This calculator provides a realistic estimate of energy usage.
Homeowners and facility managers use this data to budget for summer utility bills or to justify upgrading to more efficient units. A higher SEER rating indicates that the unit uses less energy to provide the same amount of cooling.
Formulas
Power consumption is derived from the cooling capacity and the efficiency ratio.
Total cost is then calculated by multiplying power by time and electricity rate.
Reference Data
| Unit Type | Typical BTU | Avg. Wattage (Running) | Est. Cost/Hour ($0.15/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Window Unit | 5000 | 450 - 550 | $0.07 |
| Large Window Unit | 12000 (1 Ton) | 900 - 1200 | $0.16 |
| Central Air (Small Home) | 24000 (2 Ton) | 2000 - 2500 | $0.34 |
| Central Air (Large Home) | 48000 (4 Ton) | 4000 - 5000 | $0.68 |