Air conditioning running costs
Air conditioning is cheaper to run than most people expect, provided the system is sized, installed and used properly.
How the cost works
Running cost is power consumption multiplied by hours of use multiplied by your electricity price. Power consumption depends on the efficiency of the unit and the load. A unit rated for, say, 3.5kW of cooling does not draw 3.5kW; an efficient inverter system draws a fraction of that, because it moves heat rather than generating it.
Efficiency ratings
Units are rated with a seasonal figure — SEER for cooling and SCOP for heating — and an energy label from A+++ downward on most domestic models. A higher number means less electricity for the same output. The difference between a good and a poor unit is real, but sizing and installation affect it just as much.
Keeping the cost down
- Set it at a sensible temperature — a few degrees below outside is enough; extreme settings waste energy.
- Use the timer and sleep modes rather than leaving it on.
- Close doors and windows in the cooled room, and use blinds on sunny glazing.
- Keep filters clean; a blocked filter forces the unit to work harder.
- Have it serviced regularly.
Heating mode
A reversible air conditioning unit is an air-to-air heat pump. In heating mode it often delivers more than three units of heat for each unit of electricity consumed, which can compare well with direct electric heating. See can air conditioning heat a room.
Common questions.
How much does it cost to run air conditioning?
It depends on the unit, the hours it runs, the load and your electricity price. An efficient inverter unit used sensibly costs a modest amount per hour; we can talk through your situation.
Is it cheaper to leave it on or switch it off?
Switch it off when you are out of the room and use a timer. Leaving it on to avoid reheating is rarely cheaper.
Does solar help?
Yes. Cooling demand coincides with solar generation, so a solar installation reduces the cost of running it.
Talk to the engineers.
Call, message or send the form. We reply the same working day wherever we can.
