Running Costs of Air Conditioners

It is important to have a correctly sized air conditioner. An undersized unit will not provide adequate cooling or heating. Over-sizing can result in frequent on-off cycling, which is not efficient and increases wear and tear. It can also result in cooling with limited humidity reduction. The air conditioner output, measured in kilowatts(kW), is stated on the label. As an approximate guide for sizing, allow 125 Watts (0.125kW) per square metre of floor area to be cooled in living areas, and 80 Watts (0.08kW) per square metre in bedrooms. It is advisable to get a full heating and/or cooling load calculation from the air conditioning installer or manufacturer, to determine the appropriate capacity. The amount of use an air conditioner gets, and therefore its annual energy consumption, varies widely around Australia, as the climate is quite different in different locations. The table above gives typical annual operating hours at rated capacity for air conditioners in different locations. These figures can be used for estimating the annual energy consumption and running costs of air conditioners. Check the typical annual operating hours for your location before estimating the annual running costs.

 Fact Sheet

Download Reverse Cycle Fact Sheet Requires Adobe Reader
Current Energex Tariffs

With each degree you lower the thermostat the running costs can be increased by up to 15 percent.

• 1750 watt - approx running cost will be between 4.5 to 6.2 cents per hour
• 5000 watt - approx running cost will be between 13.8 to 19.4 cents per hour
• 8800 watt - approx running cost will be between 22.7 to 31.8 cents per hour
  Compare Energy Efficient Air Conditioners