With summer in full swing, air conditioning is a must for many homeowners. But how much does air conditioning cost per month? The answer may surprise you. There are a few different factors that can influence the monthly costs of running an air conditioning unit.
In this article, we will explore some of the things that have the biggest impact on monthly AC costs. We’ll also take a look at how the type of AC unit you have can affect your monthly bill. Keep in mind that these are just estimates – your actual costs may differ depending on where you live and other individual factors.
What Factors Influence Monthly Air Conditioning Costs?
There are a few different things that can have an impact on how much air conditioning costs per month. Among these, the ones that have the biggest impact include:
The Size Of Your Home
Perhaps the most obvious factor is the size of your home. If you have a large house, you’ll likely need to run your AC unit for longer periods of time than someone with a smaller home. This means that your monthly air conditioning costs will be higher.
The Number of People in Your Household
Another factor to consider is the number of people in your household. More people means more body heat, so your air conditioner must work harder to keep everyone comfortable. More people living in the house also means that more heat-generating appliances will be in use, like hair dryers, computers, laptops, TVs, and more. This can also lead to higher monthly air conditioning costs.
If you have a large family or live in a hot climate, you may want to consider investing in a more energy-efficient air conditioner. This can help offset some of the higher monthly air conditioning costs.
The Number of Rooms in Your House
The number of rooms in your house can also affect air conditioning costs. If you have many rooms, your air conditioner will have to work harder to cool down the entire house. More rooms also mean more opportunities for heat to enter the home from windows and doors.
The Insulation of Your Home
Another important factor is the insulation of your home. If your home is well-insulated, less heat will be able to enter, and air conditioning won’t have to work as hard. This can lead to lower monthly air conditioning costs. You can improve the insulation of your home by adding weather stripping around doors and windows, installing energy-efficient windows, and adding insulation to your attic or crawl space.
If you live in an older home, it’s especially important to make sure that it’s well-insulated. Older homes often have less insulation than newer ones, which can lead to higher air conditioning costs.
The Energy Costs In Your Area
The cost of electricity can also play a role in air conditioning costs. If you live in an area with high energy costs, your air conditioner will be one of the biggest contributors to your monthly electric bill. You can check the average energy costs in your area by visiting the website of your local utility company.
The Amount Of Time The AC Is Running
Of course, the amount of time your air conditioner is running will also impact monthly air conditioning costs. If you only turn on your air conditioner when it’s extremely hot outside, then your monthly costs will be lower than those who run their air conditioner all day. You can save money on air conditioning costs by using a programmable thermostat to only run the air conditioner when needed.
The Type Of AC You Have
The type of air conditioner you have can also play a role in air conditioning costs. Split system ACs are the most energy-efficient as they only cool the rooms that are being used. Ductless air conditioning units are also very efficient as they don’t lose any cool air through ductwork. Packaged AC units are less energy-efficient as they cool the entire house, even if some rooms aren’t being used.
Your AC Unit’s Efficiency
The efficiency of your air conditioner is also a factor to consider. If you have an older, less efficient air conditioner, it’s going to cost more to run than a newer, more energy-efficient model. When shopping for a new air conditioner, be sure to look for models with a high Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER).
AC Unit Maintenance Costs
Another factor that can influence air conditioning costs is the cost of maintaining your AC unit. If you have an older air conditioner, it may need to be repaired or replaced more often than a newer model. This can add to the monthly air conditioning costs. Be sure to budget for AC unit maintenance when considering air conditioning costs. Home warranties are a good way to offset air conditioning maintenance costs as they can cover repairs or replacements.
So, How Much Does Air Conditioning Cost Per Month?
As you can see, there are many factors that can influence air conditioning costs. On average, the cost of running an air conditioning unit can vary somewhere between $0.06 and $0.88 per hour. So, if we are to calculate the monthly AC costs on the assumption that the system runs 8 hours per day, we come to a cost range of between $14.4 to $211.2 per month.
While this may not seem as much, air conditioning costs can really add up, especially if you live in an area with high energy costs or have an older, less efficient air conditioner. If you’re looking to save money on air conditioning costs, be sure to improve the insulation of your home and use a programmable thermostat to only run the air conditioner when you need it. You may also want to consider investing in a more energy-efficient air conditioner.
Similarly, getting a home warranty that covers your AC system is a very good idea. This way, you won’t have to worry about air conditioning maintenance costs adding up each month. Home warranties can really help offset the monthly air conditioning costs and give you peace of mind.
