Cooling and Ventilation Equipment –
Room Air Conditioners

Calculate Operational Costs

The cost of operating a room air conditioner varies according to several factors, including the following:

  • the EER and cooling capacity of the air conditioner
  • the temperature setting you use
  • whether you run the fan on "continuous" or "auto" mode
  • which of the unit's features you choose to use
  • how often you use the unit
  • the price of electricity
  • the weather

Step 1. Select your province and the cooling capacity you require.

Using the form below, select the Province/City nearest you. Then select the Cooling Capacity you require.

Step 2. Determine the price of electricity in your area.

Check a recent utility bill for the basic cost of electricity per kilowatt hour (kWh) in your area. Select this amount as Price of Electricity. If you don't have a bill handy, use a typical cost of $0.10 per kWh.

Step 3. The hours of operation.

With the above information, the on-line calculator determines the Hours of Operation for you based on the average cooling season for each location.

Step 4. Annual and lifetime energy operating costs.

With the above information, the calculator determines the estimated Annual Operating Cost and Lifetime Operating Cost – the energy costs – for the most and least energy-efficient room air conditioners. The energy efficiency ratio (EER) is a comparative measure of how much cooling an air conditioner provides for each unit of electrical energy that it consumers under standard operating conditions. A unit’s EER is calculated by dividing its cooling capacity by its electrical power input at a specific temperature. In general, the higher the EER, the more efficient the unit is.

Step 5. Estimate of what you would save with the most energy-efficient unit.

The calculator estimates how much you would save over the room air conditioner’s lifetime by buying the most energy-efficient one.

Select

All fields are optional unless otherwise specified.

:
per kWh.
:
hours.
Results of Calculations
Energy Efficiency Ratio –
EER of New Models
Approximate Energy Consumption (kWh per cooling season)
 
Price of Electricity (per kWh)
 
Annual Operating Cost
Lifetime Operating Cost of 'Second Price Tag'
(multiply annual cost by 10)
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Today's units use 30 to 40 percent less energy than most models sold 10 to 15 years ago.

List of models : Room air condtioners

This list of models is continually updated and indicates which models are sold in Canada along with their energy ratings, including ENERGY STAR qualified models.

Copy the details of your top three choices and take the information along when you shop to help you select the most economical and energy-efficient model.

Energy-Saving Tip

Selecting an energy-efficient room air conditioner is a good start, but using it wisely is also important. The total operating hours of your room air conditioner may differ dramatically, depending on how you use the unit. Features such as timers and “fan-only” modes can help limit operating hours.

Back to the list of cooling and ventilating equipment