How much does it cost to run central air conditioning (heat pump in cooling mode)?
The same central air conditioner costs $845 a year in Hawaii (40.59 ¢ per kWh) and $246 in North Dakota (11.81 ¢), a gap of $599 or 3.4 times. Model range at 17.30 ¢: $277.07 to $388.98 a year (55,876 listed).
Map
- $246 to $274
- $274 to $311
- $311 to $338
- $338 to $477
- $477 to $845
Darker = costlier to run central air conditioner. Click a state for its hub.
Your numbers
All 51 states
| 1 | Hawaii | 40.59 | $845.05 | $650.07 | $912.63 | 88.0 ¢ | 1,308 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | California | 32.54 | $677.46 | $521.15 | $731.64 | 70.6 ¢ | 372 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 30.48 | $634.57 | $488.16 | $685.32 | 66.1 ¢ | 777 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 29.46 | $613.34 | $471.82 | $662.38 | 63.9 ¢ | 792 |
| 5 | Connecticut | 29.38 | $611.67 | $470.54 | $660.59 | 63.7 ¢ | 508 |
| 6 | Maine | 27.78 | $578.36 | $444.91 | $624.61 | 60.2 ¢ | 294 |
| 7 | New York | 26.39 | $549.42 | $422.65 | $593.36 | 57.2 ¢ | 439 |
| 8 | Alaska | 26.09 | $543.17 | $417.85 | $586.61 | 56.6 ¢ | 765 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 24.56 | $511.32 | $393.34 | $552.21 | 53.3 ¢ | 258 |
| 10 | Vermont | 22.92 | $477.18 | $367.08 | $515.34 | 49.7 ¢ | 41 |
| 11 | New Jersey | 22.63 | $471.14 | $362.43 | $508.82 | 49.1 ¢ | 442 |
| 12 | District of Columbia | 21.94 | $456.77 | $351.38 | $493.30 | 47.6 ¢ | 372 |
| 13 | Michigan | 20.01 | $416.59 | $320.47 | $449.91 | 43.4 ¢ | 749 |
| 14 | Maryland | 19.48 | $405.56 | $311.98 | $437.99 | 42.2 ¢ | 491 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | 19.30 | $401.81 | $309.10 | $433.95 | 41.9 ¢ | 610 |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 18.16 | $378.08 | $290.84 | $408.31 | 39.4 ¢ | 1,093 |
| 17 | Illinois | 17.69 | $368.29 | $283.32 | $397.75 | 38.4 ¢ | 446 |
| 18 | Delaware | 17.13 | $356.63 | $274.35 | $385.15 | 37.1 ¢ | 664 |
| 19 | Ohio | 16.96 | $353.09 | $271.62 | $381.33 | 36.8 ¢ | 1,005 |
| 20 | Indiana | 16.23 | $337.90 | $259.93 | $364.92 | 35.2 ¢ | 1,376 |
| 21 | Alabama | 16.10 | $335.19 | $257.85 | $362.00 | 34.9 ¢ | 671 |
| 22 | Colorado | 15.85 | $329.99 | $253.85 | $356.37 | 34.4 ¢ | 1,025 |
| 23 | Minnesota | 15.82 | $329.36 | $253.37 | $355.70 | 34.3 ¢ | 706 |
| 24 | Texas | 15.47 | $322.07 | $247.76 | $347.83 | 33.5 ¢ | 726 |
| 25 | West Virginia | 15.41 | $320.83 | $246.80 | $346.48 | 33.4 ¢ | 1,846 |
| 26 | Oregon | 15.37 | $319.99 | $246.16 | $345.58 | 33.3 ¢ | 344 |
| 27 | Arizona | 15.32 | $318.95 | $245.36 | $344.46 | 33.2 ¢ | 649 |
| 28 | Virginia | 15.28 | $318.12 | $244.72 | $343.56 | 33.1 ¢ | 507 |
| 29 | Florida | 15.24 | $317.29 | $244.08 | $342.66 | 33.1 ¢ | 743 |
| 30 | New Mexico | 15.08 | $313.95 | $241.52 | $339.06 | 32.7 ¢ | 727 |
| 31 | South Carolina | 14.96 | $311.46 | $239.59 | $336.36 | 32.4 ¢ | 526 |
| 32 | Georgia | 14.73 | $306.67 | $235.91 | $331.19 | 31.9 ¢ | 674 |
| 33 | Kansas | 14.56 | $303.13 | $233.19 | $327.37 | 31.6 ¢ | 688 |
| 34 | Mississippi | 14.03 | $292.09 | $224.70 | $315.45 | 30.4 ¢ | 780 |
| 35 | North Carolina | 14.02 | $291.89 | $224.54 | $315.23 | 30.4 ¢ | 589 |
| 36 | Iowa | 13.72 | $285.64 | $219.73 | $308.48 | 29.8 ¢ | 595 |
| 37 | Missouri | 13.49 | $280.85 | $216.05 | $303.31 | 29.3 ¢ | 1,364 |
| 38 | South Dakota | 13.38 | $278.56 | $214.29 | $300.84 | 29.0 ¢ | 315 |
| 39 | Wyoming | 13.38 | $278.56 | $214.29 | $300.84 | 29.0 ¢ | 1,719 |
| 40 | Kentucky | 13.24 | $275.65 | $212.05 | $297.69 | 28.7 ¢ | 1,638 |
| 41 | Tennessee | 13.18 | $274.40 | $211.09 | $296.34 | 28.6 ¢ | 621 |
| 42 | Nevada | 13.15 | $273.77 | $210.61 | $295.67 | 28.5 ¢ | 607 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | 13.12 | $273.15 | $210.12 | $294.99 | 28.5 ¢ | 611 |
| 44 | Washington | 13.11 | $272.94 | $209.96 | $294.77 | 28.4 ¢ | 250 |
| 45 | Utah | 13.07 | $272.11 | $209.32 | $293.87 | 28.3 ¢ | 1,334 |
| 46 | Montana | 12.98 | $270.23 | $207.88 | $291.85 | 28.1 ¢ | 997 |
| 47 | Arkansas | 12.84 | $267.32 | $205.64 | $288.70 | 27.8 ¢ | 938 |
| 48 | Louisiana | 12.57 | $261.70 | $201.32 | $282.63 | 27.3 ¢ | 719 |
| 49 | Nebraska | 12.34 | $256.91 | $197.63 | $277.46 | 26.8 ¢ | 961 |
| 50 | Idaho | 11.82 | $246.08 | $189.30 | $265.76 | 25.6 ¢ | 296 |
| 51 | North Dakota | 11.81 | $245.88 | $189.14 | $265.54 | 25.6 ¢ | 1,217 |
2,082 kWh a year times each state's 2025 home price (55876 3-ton heat pump systems, ENERGY STAR data as of 2 Oct 2026).
CSVPay less
- Model spread: 10th percentile 1,602 kWh, 90th 2,248; the 647 kWh gap is $111.91 a year at 17.30 ¢ and $262.56 at 40.59 ¢ (Hawaii).
- One hour less a day over 120 days at 2169 W: 260 kWh, $45.02 at 17.30 ¢, $105.63 in Hawaii.
- Location: 3.4 times between Hawaii ($845.05) and North Dakota ($245.88); 100% of utilities in Hawaii list a time-of-use rate (EIA-861).
Where the kWh comes from
3-ton class (34,000 to 38,000 Btu per hour) ENERGY STAR heat pump systems in cooling mode: running watts = capacity divided by SEER2; the hours and days are our scenario. Median 2,082 kWh, 10th to 90th percentile 1,602 to 2,248, range 1,602 to 2,248, 55,876 3-ton heat pump systems; running power 2169 W (1668 to 2342). Certified models only. Method: appliance hub.
Sources
| Source | Retrieved |
|---|---|
| ENERGY STAR Certified products | 2 Oct 2026 |
| EIA retail sales | 1 Oct 2026 |
| EPA eGRID2023 | 2 Oct 2026 |
| DOE formula | 2 Oct 2026 |
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Questions
Cost to run central air conditioning (heat pump in cooling mode) for a year?
$360.17 at 17.30 ¢ and 2,082 kWh; $245.88 in North Dakota to $845.05 in Hawaii.
Most expensive state for central air conditioning (heat pump in cooling mode)?
Hawaii: $845.05 at 40.59 ¢.
Cheapest state for central air conditioning (heat pump in cooling mode)?
North Dakota: $245.88 at 11.81 ¢.
kWh used by central air conditioning (heat pump in cooling mode)?
Median 2,082; 10th to 90th percentile 1,602 to 2,248; 55,876 3-ton heat pump systems.
Does the model matter for central air conditioning (heat pump in cooling mode)?
Yes: 90th against 10th percentile is $111.91 a year at the U.S. price.
CO2 from central air conditioning (heat pump in cooling mode)?
725 kg a year at 0.348 kg per kWh (U.S.).
Why would my central air conditioner bill differ?
Median 2,082 kWh is for new certified models; 17.30 ¢ is an average.
Fixed charges in the central air conditioner cost?
Not included.
Where do the central air conditioner hours come from?
Scenario: 8 h a day, 120 days.