Cost to Run Window Air Conditioner in North Carolina (2026)
At North Carolina's average rate of 14.09¢/kWh, running a Window Air Conditioner costs $40.58/month or $493.71/year. That's 18.2% less than the national average of $49.59/month.
Monthly Cost
$40.58
in North Carolina
Yearly Cost
$493.71
in North Carolina
State Rate
14.09¢
per kWh
National Rank
#18
of 50 states
Window Air Conditioner Energy Usage
| Wattage | 1,200 watts |
| Typical Daily Use | 8 hours/day |
| Daily kWh | 9.60 kWh |
| Monthly kWh | 288.0 kWh |
| Category | Cooling |
North Carolina vs National Average: Window Air Conditioner Costs
| Metric | North Carolina | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity Rate | 14.09¢/kWh | 17.22¢/kWh | -3.13¢ |
| Monthly Window Air Conditioner Cost | $40.58 | $49.59 | $-9.01 |
| Yearly Window Air Conditioner Cost | $493.71 | $603.39 | $-109.68 |
Window Air Conditioner Cost in Neighboring States
How does running a Window Air Conditioner in North Carolina compare to nearby states?
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly | vs NC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina (this state) | 14.09¢ | $40.58 | $493.71 | - |
| Georgia | 14.27¢ | $41.10 | $500.02 | +$0.52 |
| South Carolina | 14.43¢ | $41.56 | $505.63 | +$0.98 |
| Tennessee | 12.91¢ | $37.18 | $452.37 | $-3.40 |
| Virginia | 14.64¢ | $42.16 | $512.99 | +$1.58 |
Window Air Conditioner Cost: All 50 States Ranked
North Carolina ranks #18 out of 50 for Window Air Conditioner running costs (1 = cheapest).
| # | State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho | 11.15¢ | $32.11 | $390.70 |
| 2 | Washington | 11.26¢ | $32.43 | $394.55 |
| 3 | Utah | 11.41¢ | $32.86 | $399.81 |
| 4 | Wyoming | 11.72¢ | $33.75 | $410.67 |
| 5 | North Dakota | 12.43¢ | $35.80 | $435.55 |
| 6 | Louisiana | 12.52¢ | $36.06 | $438.70 |
| 7 | Oregon | 12.55¢ | $36.14 | $439.75 |
| 8 | Montana | 12.81¢ | $36.89 | $448.86 |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 12.82¢ | $36.92 | $449.21 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 12.91¢ | $37.18 | $452.37 |
| 11 | Arkansas | 13.04¢ | $37.56 | $456.92 |
| 12 | Nebraska | 13.08¢ | $37.67 | $458.32 |
| 13 | Kentucky | 13.19¢ | $37.99 | $462.18 |
| 14 | West Virginia | 13.44¢ | $38.71 | $470.94 |
| 15 | Mississippi | 13.54¢ | $39.00 | $474.44 |
| 16 | South Dakota | 13.74¢ | $39.57 | $481.45 |
| 17 | Missouri | 13.78¢ | $39.69 | $482.85 |
| 18 | North Carolina | 14.09¢ | $40.58 | $493.71 |
| 19 | Georgia | 14.27¢ | $41.10 | $500.02 |
| 20 | South Carolina | 14.43¢ | $41.56 | $505.63 |
| 21 | Virginia | 14.64¢ | $42.16 | $512.99 |
| 22 | Arizona | 14.78¢ | $42.57 | $517.89 |
| 23 | Alabama | 14.87¢ | $42.83 | $521.04 |
| 24 | Nevada | 14.92¢ | $42.97 | $522.80 |
| 25 | Delaware | 14.94¢ | $43.03 | $523.50 |
| 26 | Texas | 15.06¢ | $43.37 | $527.70 |
| 27 | Iowa | 15.14¢ | $43.60 | $530.51 |
| 28 | Ohio | 15.21¢ | $43.80 | $532.96 |
| 29 | Kansas | 15.28¢ | $44.01 | $535.41 |
| 30 | New Mexico | 15.34¢ | $44.18 | $537.51 |
| 31 | Indiana | 15.42¢ | $44.41 | $540.32 |
| 32 | Colorado | 15.56¢ | $44.81 | $545.22 |
| 33 | Minnesota | 15.63¢ | $45.01 | $547.68 |
| 34 | Florida | 16.22¢ | $46.71 | $568.35 |
| 35 | Illinois | 16.27¢ | $46.86 | $570.10 |
| 36 | Maryland | 16.57¢ | $47.72 | $580.61 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | 17.38¢ | $50.05 | $609.00 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | 18.36¢ | $52.88 | $643.33 |
| 39 | New Jersey | 18.48¢ | $53.22 | $647.54 |
| 40 | Michigan | 19.34¢ | $55.70 | $677.67 |
| 41 | Vermont | 21.43¢ | $61.72 | $750.91 |
| 42 | Alaska | 24.21¢ | $69.72 | $848.32 |
| 43 | New York | 24.33¢ | $70.07 | $852.52 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | 25.78¢ | $74.25 | $903.33 |
| 45 | Maine | 26.37¢ | $75.95 | $924.00 |
| 46 | Rhode Island | 28.08¢ | $80.87 | $983.92 |
| 47 | Massachusetts | 28.58¢ | $82.31 | $1,001.44 |
| 48 | Connecticut | 29.98¢ | $86.34 | $1,050.50 |
| 49 | California | 31.22¢ | $89.91 | $1,093.95 |
| 50 | Hawaii | 43.18¢ | $124.36 | $1,513.03 |
Save Money on Window Air Conditioner in North Carolina
- Set your thermostat to 78F when home to reduce Window Air Conditioner cooling costs by 10-15% in North Carolina.
- Use ceiling fans alongside your cooling system to feel cooler at higher thermostat settings.
- Keep blinds and curtains closed during peak sun hours to reduce cooling load.
- Seal air leaks around windows and doors to maximize Window Air Conditioner efficiency in North Carolina.
- Look for Energy Star certified Window Air Conditioner models that use 10-50% less energy than standard models.
- Consider installing solar panels in North Carolina to offset your Window Air Conditioner electricity costs.
- Check if your North Carolina utility offers time-of-use rates and run your Window Air Conditioner during off-peak hours.
- Ensure proper maintenance of your Window Air Conditioner to keep it running at peak efficiency.
Related Pages
More about North Carolina
More about Window Air Conditioner
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to run a Window Air Conditioner in North Carolina?
Running a Window Air Conditioner in North Carolina costs approximately $40.58 per month or $493.71 per year, based on the state's average residential rate of 14.09¢/kWh and typical usage of 8 hours per day.
Is running a Window Air Conditioner expensive in North Carolina compared to other states?
North Carolina ranks #18 out of 50 states for Window Air Conditioner running costs (1 = cheapest). It's 18.2% cheaper than the national average. The cheapest state is Idaho at $32.11/month, and the most expensive is Hawaii at $124.36/month.
How much electricity does a Window Air Conditioner use per month?
A typical Window Air Conditioner uses 1200 watts and runs about 8 hours per day, consuming approximately 9.60 kWh daily or 288.0 kWh per month.
How can I reduce Window Air Conditioner electricity costs in North Carolina?
You can reduce costs by using an Energy Star rated Window Air Conditioner, running it during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use rates, ensuring proper maintenance, and considering solar panels to offset electricity costs in North Carolina.
What is the electricity rate in North Carolina?
The average residential electricity rate in North Carolina is 14.09¢ per kWh. The primary energy source is Nuclear, with 13.0% from renewable sources.
Was this data helpful?
Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)