Cost to run a room air conditioner in California
About $173.29 a year for a typical model, at the California average of 32.58 cents per kWh.
How California compares
The same room air conditioner costs $96.75 a year at the U.S. average rate, so in California you pay $76.54 more. See the California electricity rate for the full picture.
Efficient or high-use: the range in California
| Model type | kWh per year | Per year | Over 10 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient | 375 | $122.17 | $1,221.75 |
| Typical | 532 | $173.29 | $1,732.93 |
| High use | 900 | $293.22 | $2,932.20 |
Between the efficient and the high-use model, the difference in California adds up to about $1,710.45 over 10 years. Window and through-the-wall units.
Models that cost the least to run in California
| Model | Details | kWh per year | Cost per year in California |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK+DECKER BDM05C | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $84.84 |
| Brothers 102372 | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $84.84 |
| Frigidaire FHWC055TF1 | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $84.84 |
| Frigidaire FHWC056TF1 | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $84.84 |
| Midea MAW05R1KWT-B | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $84.84 |
| Midea MAW05R1VWBL-T | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $84.84 |
| Midea MAW05R1VWWT-T | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $84.84 |
| Midea MAW05S1KWT-A | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $84.84 |
| Midea MWEUWA-05CRFN8-BCN4 | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $84.84 |
| Noma 143-1378-6 | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $84.84 |
See room air conditioners in all states
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a room air conditioner in California?
About $173.29 a year, or $14.44 a month, for a typical ENERGY STAR certified model that uses 532 kWh a year at the California average rate of 32.58 cents per kWh.
Is that more or less than in other states?
It is $76.54 a year more than the same room air conditioner at the U.S. average rate. California ranks 2 of 51 for electricity price, where 1 is the most expensive.
How much can an efficient room air conditioner save in California?
Over 10 years, a model in the most efficient 10% costs about $1,710.45 less to run in California than a model in the 10% that use the most, at today's rate.
Same room air conditioner, nearby in the ranking
- Hawaii $246.85 a year
- Maine $160.79 a year
- Massachusetts $160.58 a year
Other appliances in California
- Refrigerators in California
- Mini fridges in California
- Freezers in California
- Dishwashers in California
- Clothes washers in California
- Clothes dryers in California
- Dehumidifiers in California
- Televisions in California
How we get these numbers: yearly electricity use comes from the ENERGY STAR certified product lists, measured with the federal test procedure. The rate is the average residential price the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports for each state, January to August 2026. Your own bill depends on your utility, your plan and how you use the appliance. See sources.