Is Air Conditioner Expensive to Run? Find Out!

When summer days approach, it becomes mandatory to use an air conditioning system to keep the surroundings cool and comfortable. However, this also increases energy consumption which translates into more bills. Since the energy rates are going up, you must know how much does air conditioning cost to run. Many times, summer days in certain parts of the UK can get hotter and tagged as ‘searing’ heat waves. This often leaves people feeling uncomfortable, exhausted, sweaty, sticky, and hot. This is where an air conditioning system can truly help. Thus, you must know the average cost beforehand to plan your energy consumption accordingly.

What is the Cost of Running an Air Conditioner?

Among all AC systems, central air cooling is the most common. In case you also own the same, you will need to consider the following factors to know the cost of operating or running an AC:

• Purchasing and installation costs
• Operational costs
• Maintenance costs

Detailed information on these factors has been given here. Explore the same to know whether it is air conditioner expensive to run or not:

• Purchasing and Installation Costs: This will depend on the number of rooms or size of the area that you want to cool and the overall cooling capacity of the AC system. This can be divided into the following:

Split or Single Room AC Units

As the name shows, it will only cool down a single room. It is the most common and highly used AC system for a single room. These are called split because it has 2 units – one is placed inside the room to absorb heat and the other one is outside the room to pump cold air. An insulated pipe is used to connect these units.

When you search the market, you will find different capacities within this option only. Based on the area of your room, you can choose the best-suited one. Speaking about how much costs to run the air conditioner in a single room, the overall cost will be around £500 to £1500 for a single room. In case you are using double-room split ACs, it will cost you £1500 (purchase) and £2500 (installation). Lastly, multi-room ACs will have up to £5000 in buying and HVAC installation costs.

Ducted or Centralised AC Units

When you have a wider space or multiple rooms to cool down during scorching heat, no other option is better than a ducted or centralised AC unit. In this option, the AC unit is fixed within the ducts. Since these units consume more power to cool the area efficiently, the overall cost will be higher than that of non-ducted AC units.

If we talk about the price tag and installation cost, a ducted or centralised AC unit has a different price, depending on the power capacity, size, brand, etc. However, in general, it will cost you from £6000 to £9000 to make an AC unit fully functional.

Operational Costs:

To know how much does air con cost per hour, day, week, and month, it will depend on the type of AC unit you have. You must note that the standard tariffs in the UK for electricity are £0.24.5/kWh (as of June 30, 2024).

Beforehand, you should know an approximated electricity consumption. According to standard stats, if you are using a single-room split AC that consumes around 480 watts hourly. A ducted or centralised AC unit, on the other hand, will consume approximately 5000 watts in an hour.

Using the standard tariff rates i.e. £0.27/kWh, the following would be an estimated running cost:

Split AC

480 watts/1000= 0.48 kW

0.48 kW x 1 hour = 0.48 kWh

0.48 x 0.24 = 0.117p

This means running a split AC will cost you around 0.117p for an hour.

Ducted or Centralised AC

5000 watts/ 1000 = 5 kW

5kW x 1h = 5 kWh

5 x 0.24 = £1.22

To run a centralised AC for an hour, you will need to pay around £1.22.

Comprehensive Table of Running Costs of Aircon

Below is the table that can give you an estimated figure of the cost to determine if it is air conditioner expensive to run or not:

• Maintenance Cost: Last but not the least factor is the cost of your HVAC maintenance. Like any other electronic appliance, AC units are also prone to wear and tear if used repeatedly or excessively. Thus, you are advised to do a complete check of the same to locate any wear and tear that can affect its functionality and efficiency. You may be surprised to know that a faulty component in an AC unit can significantly expand the overall running cost.

Disclaimer: The costs mentioned in this content are estimates and may vary based on factors such as location, service provider, energy tariffs, and market conditions. For accurate pricing, please consult with us directly.

Are Portable Aircons are Cost-Effective?

When you cannot cut down on the running cost, it is good to explore other effective options. Currently, portable aircon is gaining popularity for its impressive functions. When it comes to how much does a portable aircon cost to run, they are fairly cost-effective in terms of running and maintenance costs than others.

First and foremost, portable ACs are ready to use. This means you will not require expensive installation and fancy duct pipes. Besides, you can calculate the running cost through the following example:

990w (if using a portable AC unit that utilises 990 watts)/1000= 0.99kW

0.99kW x 1h = 0.99kWh

0.99 x 0.24 = 0.242p

This indicates that a portable AC unit will cost you around 0.242 hourly which means £162.9 monthly and £5.82 daily. Keep in mind that these AC units can have a cooling capacity of up to 20m^2.

How to Reduce the AC Running Costs?

To make your AC unit effective and affordable, you should do the following:

• Choose the right cooling settings
• Use it when needed
• Avoid using an unclean or damaged AC
• Select the right unit or model
• Never use it when the wattage is low

Ultimately,

Keep in mind that the prices mentioned above are just for your reference. They can change from time to time, so calculate the average running cost accordingly. Besides, maintain your AC unit to mitigate any damage or repair. Lastly, get in touch with Hamilton Aircon to find the best HVAC solutions and schedule professional servicing of your AC unit to ensure optimal performance and reduced utility bills.