How much does it cost to run a 12,000 BTU air conditioner per hour? The hourly operating cost for a 12,000 BTU air conditioner depends on factors such as the unit’s Energy Efficiency Ratio, "EER," or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, "SEER," room or house size and local energy rates. As of 2014, the average cost for energy is nearly 13 cents per kilowatt-hour, "kWh." How energy efficient is the Trane XR13 air conditioning system? How efficient is the Trane xe 1200 air conditioner? To calculate the hourly cost of a 12,000 BTU unit, divide BTUs by its EER or SEER to get watts per hour. Divide the watts per hour by 1,000 to find kWhs. Multiply the kWhs by the local electric company’s rate to calculate the cost per hour. For example, if the unit has an EER of 9, the average hourly cost of operation would be 17 cents. How do you size room air conditioners? Use the area of a room to determine the proper air conditioner size estimate, which is measured in British thermal units per hour.

A 100- to 150-square-foo... What are the differences between Carrier 15 SEER and 14 SEER heat pumps? A Carrier 15 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio heat pump has a higher energy efficiency rating than a Carrier 14 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio heat pump.... What is BTU per hour in air conditioning? BTUs per hour is a standard measurement that indications how many British Thermal Units an air conditioner removes from a room in one hour. A BTU is the un... A 4,000 BTU air conditioner has 4,000 British Thermal Units of cooling capacity, or energy production required to remove heat from a room. This is a very s... Who manufacturers Payne air conditioners? How can you fix an oscillating fan? How do you get a manual for a Preway fireplace? What kind of stores sell wrap-on electric pipe heating cable? What is a bathroom exhaust fan? Are Bosch condensing boilers energy efficient?Programmable thermostats can save you hundreds in heating and cooling costs.

When the thermometer rises in the summer, the cost of turning on an air conditioner may seem minor compared to getting some relief from the heat — but knowing how much air conditioning costs and how you can reduce that cost makes good fiscal sense. According to the Energy Information Administration, Americans spend more money cooling their homes than any other single usage of electricity, accounting for 22.4 percent of the average household electric bill in 2010. Typical Electricity Costs The town of Wellesley, Mass., has estimated the average cost of running central air conditioning in a typical home for six hours a day will use 900 kilowatt/hours (kWh) per month. At a cost of $0.134 per kWh, this amounts to $120.60 per month. A large 12,000 BTU air conditioner, like that in a window, running six hours each day will consume 270 kWh, at a cost of $36.26 per month. A smaller 6,500 BTU room air conditioner will consume 144 kWh at a cost of $19.34 per month. Understanding Kilowatt-Hours The kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the standard unit of measurement for electricity in the United States.

This is 1,000 watts of electricity being used for one hour. To calculate how much your air conditioner costs to run for an hour, look for its wattage on the box or in the instruction manual and multiply this by the number of hours you use it each day. For example, a 1,000-watt air conditioner running for one hour consumes 1 kWh. By comparison, a 60-watt light bulb running for an hour uses 0.06 kWh (60 watts divided by 1,000). ac unit not cooling houseThe cost of electricity varies by region. ac and heating systemsWhile the average cost in the US in 2011 was 12 cents per kWh, it was as high as 33 cents in Hawaii and as low as 8 cents in Idaho. ac unit in home not coolingCheck your electric bill to determine your cost. Air Conditioner Size and BTUs The size of air conditioner you should purchase depends on the size of the rooms it will be cooling, how well your house is insulated, and whether or not the rooms are facing direct sunlight.

An air conditioner's ability to cool is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). For example, to cool a 100- to 150-square-foot room that is well insulated and not facing direct sunlight, you need about 6,600 BTUs, which requires about 1,934 watts. The same room in direct sunlight requires about 7,260 BTUs, using 2,128 watts. A poorly insulated room in direct sunlight needs about 9240 BTUs, using 2708 watts. Cutting Costs A programmable thermostat can reduce the cost of central air conditioning if you program it at a higher temperature while you are at work and while you are sleeping. The temperature you set the air conditioning at should be relative to the outside temperature. If the temperature outside is 90 degrees, setting the air conditioning to 78 should feel quite comfortable in comparison. Drawing the blinds during the day and opening windows at night when it is cool can also save you money. When purchasing an air conditioner, look for Energy Star units, which use up to 14 percent less energy than government requirements and may entitle you to a tax credit of up to 30 percent of its cost.

References Energy Information Administration: How is Electricity Used in US Homes?Wellesley Massachusetts: How Much Does it Cost to Run My…?Michael Bluejay: How Much Does Electricity Cost?The Daily Green: How to Save Money on Air Conditioning Photo Credits Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images MORE MUST-CLICKS: How to Maximize the Equity in a Home Checklist for Buying Land & Building a Home Annual Expense of Home Maintenance Transfer of an Equity Deed How to Cash Out Equity in Your Home What Things Are Appraised on a Home? How to Get a Home Equity Line How Granite Counter Tops Increase the Value of a Home How to Compute Equity in a Home The Purpose of Debt RatioHousehold Tips and Resources Rebates through Hawaii Energy Calculate Appliance Operating Costs Energy Saving for Businesses RFP - Grid Services Demand Side It's very important that you select the right sized unit for your home. An undersized unit will not have the ability to effectively handle the heat in your room, causing the unit to overwork and not perform optimally.

On the other hand, an oversized unit can cool a room quickly, but can create a "cold and clammy" feel due to the humidity levels that aren't lowered properly.  We have provided a quick and easy guide to selecting a proper-sized air conditioner to fit your needs. 1. Compute the Area of the Room: Assumes an 8-foot ceiling. (Use Tab key to advance to the next field) 2. Select your Air Conditioning Needs: In what environment will you be using your air conditioner? Low Heat or Night Time Only - windows/exterior walls mostly shaded from direct sunlight, well-insulated construction. Good figure for bedrooms or apartments in well-constructed high-rise buildings. Normal Conditions - windows/exterior walls moderately (50-70%) exposed to direct sunlight, ceiling with attic space above. High Heat or Direct Sunlight - large window and wall area exposed to direct sunlight, heavy afternoon sun, and open beam ceilings. (Use your mouse to select the appropriate choice)

Low Heat or Night Time Only High Heat or Direct Sunlight Consider an Air Conditioner with a BTU rating within the range to Note: Add 4,000 BTUs if the area includes a kitchen 3. Compute the Monthly Usage Hours: How much will this unit cost to operate? The Energy Efficiency Ratio, or EER rating, tells you how efficient the appliance is in energy consumption. The higher the number rating, the more energy-efficient it is. Here is an example of how much it would cost to run your selected unit if it had an 8, 10, or 11 EER rating: Estimate length the A/C will be on: 4. Select Service Area for Monthly Energy Cost by EER: For other service areas, specify cents per kWh Your Energy Cost should be between: * EER value for box A can be changed to illustrate costs of Air Conditioners with other EER ratings. ** Default cost per kWh is based on the average residential rates for customers on Oahu and Maui Island, as of July 2008. Sizing of a room air conditioner depends on many factors, such as area of room, ceiling height, number of occupants, insulation and type of construction.