Should I enter cents per kWh or dollars per kWh?

Enter your retailer tariff in cents per kWh, such as 30 for 30c/kWh. Use your bill or energy plan rather than a national average.

Does reverse-cycle air conditioning use less electricity?

Efficient reverse-cycle split systems can be cheaper to run than portable or older ducted systems because they move heat rather than create it directly. Check the Energy Rating Label and COP.

Can rooftop solar offset summer AC use?

Often yes. Australian AC load commonly overlaps daytime solar production, but evening cooling still imports from the grid unless batteries or tariff changes shift usage.

Calculator

AC Running Cost Calculator

Estimate AC kWh plus daily, monthly, and seasonal cost

Australian air conditioning cost is driven by summer runtime, reverse-cycle efficiency, home insulation, and retailer tariffs that vary by state. This calculator converts cooling capacity into input power using COP, then estimates AU$ daily, monthly, and cooling-season cost. Use it for split systems, ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning, window units, and portable AC before changing thermostat schedules, sizing solar, or comparing Energy Rating Label efficiency.

Enter Your Details

Start with the required inputs. Open advanced assumptions when you have a quote or utility details.

Fill in the form and click Calculate to see results.

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Air conditioning cost is a seasonal load decision; compare it with whole-home use before changing solar or tariffs.

How to Use This Calculator

Choose the air conditioner type, enter cooling capacity in kW, then add average daily runtime and your retailer tariff in cents per kWh. Use the Energy Rating Label or product datasheet for COP when available; otherwise leave COP blank and the calculator will use a typical value. Model hot-period runtime separately for QLD, NSW, SA, WA, and NT because summer cooling can dominate household demand.

Formula & Methodology

Estimated input power = Cooling capacity (kW) / COP. Daily kWh = input power x daily runtime. Daily cost = daily kWh x retailer tariff. Monthly cost multiplies by 30; cooling-season cost multiplies by entered summer days. Australian households should use their retailer bill for cents/kWh and compare AC load against solar output, especially where afternoon cooling overlaps PV production.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 3.5 kW split system at COP 3.5 running 6 hours uses about 6 kWh. At 30c/kWh, that costs about AU$1.80 per day before supply charges.

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