How much does it cost to run your air conditioner during summer?

Air conditioning running costs during summer

We've crunched the numbers to show how much your air conditioner will cost to run this summer (6 hours a day, over 90 days).

The running costs have also been broken down into daily and hourly figures in case you want to make adjustments to your air conditioning use accordingly.

You can read our methodology about how we calculated the running costs before diving deeper into the guide.

What is the cheapest type of air conditioner to run?

According to our analysis, a single split system is the cheapest type of air conditioner to use. It dispels the myth that bulky appliances cost more to run.

Cooling-only split systems cost $209 to run over the summer period, while reverse-cycle split systems cost $277.

Reverse-cycle split systems are generally more efficient for both heating and cooling a home during the year. Air conditioners cost far more to run than the other appliances using energy in your house year-round.

• Summer
• Daily
• Hourly

Understanding the different types of air conditioning systems

You can get all 3 air conditioners listed in cooling-only or reverse-cycle modes.

Single split systems: These have one indoor and one outdoor unit and are generally unobtrusive. You can choose between cooling-only models or a reverse-cycle AC, which will heat and cool your home. If you're looking to buy, costs start at under $600 for a 2.5-2.6kW unit, and installation can start at around $700.

Ducted air conditioners: There are different ducts installed inside the ceilings and walls of a home. Air is sent from one central location. You can have one installed with a zone controller, which allows you to switch on the AC only in certain parts of your home. Purchasing and installing a ducted system starts from around $5,000, and costs rise with the size of your home.

Portable air conditioners: These can be a more practical choice if you don't have any other type of air conditioner installed at your property and you're also renting. They will cool one room at a time. Prices usually start at $350–$450.

Single split system air conditioner running costs

The running costs for a single split system (cooling-only and reverse-cycle) have been broken down by state and system size. Hover on each bar to see the actual cost. Not all unit sizes support both reverse-cycle and cooling only.

Due to the different climate zones, running costs are lowest in TAS and VIC and highest in QLD, where they're several times higher for the same system.

Ducted air conditioner running costs

We analysed the running costs for a ducted air conditioner across different states and territories over the summer and found it's cheapest to run a ducted air conditioner in TAS and highest in QLD.

VIC is a close second, while costs in QLD are several times higher for the same system.

You can hover on the bars for actual dollar figures. Not all unit sizes support both reverse-cycle and cooling only.

Portable air conditioner running cost

Portable air conditioners are generally more expensive to run. Running costs are lowest in TAS, followed by VIC, and highest in QLD, where they're several times higher for the same system size and type.

You can hover on the bars to see actual costs. Not all unit sizes support both reverse-cycle and cooling only.

Air conditioner vs fan running cost

It should come as no surprise that fans are cheaper to run, costing around 4 cents per hour as they consume less electricity.

Air conditioners can cost anywhere between $0.25 and $1.33 to run per hour, depending on the type and where you live.

Investing in one or more fans for your home can be a great idea to keep your cooling costs down this summer. The upfront cost may be a bit higher, but it'll pay for itself in very little time.

How can I reduce the running cost of my air conditioner?

These 6 tips can help you keep your energy bills at bay when running your air conditioner this summer.

• Clean the filters regularly. It's recommended that you clean your air conditioner's filters at least once a year. Filters can become clogged with dust, pollen or even mould, lowering their efficiency.
• Raise the thermostat. Setting the right target temperature is vital, so aim for anywhere between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius. Each extra degree of cooling can add 10% to your bill.
• Use your air conditioner for fewer hours. Running your air conditioner only during the hottest parts of the day – say, cutting down from 4 to 3 hours of use – will knock 25% off your cooling bill.
• Use fans to circulate air. If you only need some light or localised cooling, such as a small room or a desk, use a fan. They work nearly as well as an air conditioner for a fraction of the cost.
• Close doors, windows and blinds. If you stop heat from getting in, you'll have a much easier time keeping your living spaces cool. If there's a cool breeze, you might want to open your windows instead.
• Compare energy plans. You should also make sure you're signed up for an electricity plan with the cheapest usage rates for your area. This can help reduce the cost of your energy bills during the summer.

"I work from home, and the upstairs part of my house gets insanely hot during summer. Out of respect for our bank account, I prefer to use the aircon sparingly and let it work smarter, not harder. I'll set the temp to around 25 degrees, close all doors and windows and let it work its magic. I only use it for the hottest parts of the day, too, so it never exceeds usage of 3 or 4 hours."

Peta Taylor

Publisher of Insurance

Frequently asked questions

• What size air conditioner do I need?

  This will largely depend on the size of the room that requires cooling. The bigger the room, the larger your unit will need to be to work efficiently.

  With that in mind, here's a general guide to help you out.

  Room size (m2)	Common room types	Air con size
  10–25m2	Bedroom, study, small office	2.6kW
  25–35m2	Bedroom and ensuite, office, small lounge room, small kitchen	3.5kW
  35–60m2	Master bedroom, medium lounge room, kitchen	5–6kW
  60–80m2	Large lounge room, big open plan areas, small shops	7–8kW

• What affects the running cost of an air conditioner?

  The size of your room and the size of the air conditioner will impact running costs. If the air con size is small, but you have a large room, it'll need to work harder to cool the space.

  You should also clean the filters at least once a year because dust, pollen and mould can impact how efficiently the air con runs.

• Is ducted or split system better?

  Reverse-cycle split systems are usually the cheaper and more energy-efficient option.

  Ducted systems are generally preferred if you have zone control. It means you will have control over which room is getting cooled. Without zone control, your entire home will have air conditioning running, which defeats efficiency.

  Here's how the 2 types of air conditioners compare if you disregard zone control.

  Reverse-cycle split system	Ducted air conditioner
  Designed to cool a single room or space	Designed to cool your whole house
  Each room can be set to a specific temperature	All rooms are cooled to the same, centrally set temperature
  Relatively easy to install	Requires a dedicated duct system to be run throughout your house
  Individual units are relatively inexpensive (between $1,000 and $2,000 depending on the air con size)	Expensive to install ($5,000 to $25,000 depending on the size of your home)

• What does the star rating of an air conditioner mean?

  Some air conditioners, such as a split system, will have a star rating label. The higher the star rating, the more efficient it is to run. For example, an air conditioner with a 1.5-star rating will be slightly more expensive to run than a system with a 3.5-star rating.

Written by

Mariam Gabaji

Senior Utilities Editor & Tech Expert

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Mariam Gabaji is a journalist with 13 years of experience, specialising in consumer topics like mobile services and energy costs. Her work appears in the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, The Guardian, SBS, 7News, A Current Affair and Money Magazine. Mariam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and was a finalist for the 2024 and 2025 IT Journalism Award for Best Telecommunications Journalist. See full bio

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Joshua Godfrey

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Joshua Godfrey is a Senior Insights Analyst at Finder, specialising in data analysis and identifying emerging trends through the Consumer Sentiment Tracker, a monthly survey on Australians' financial attitudes. He has authored Finder’s 2024 Wealth Building Report and 2025 First Home Buyer Report which have been widely quoted in top media outlets like the AFR and news.com.au. With a Bachelor of Business in Finance and Marketing and a Diploma of Creative Intelligence from UTS, Josh is passionate about uncovering patterns in consumer sentiment and exploring how they influence the future of finance. See full bio

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