APPLIANCE RUNNING COSTS · OCT–DEC 2026
How much does a portable air conditioner cost to run?
A portable air conditioner draws around 1 kW while cooling, roughly forty times as much as a fan. At the GB average price-cap electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh for October–December 2026, a portable air conditioner costs about 26p an hour at full power, or £1.06 for a typical 4-hour day.
PER HOUR
26pat 1,005 W, full powerPER DAY
£1.064.02 kWh over 4 hoursPER WEEK
£7.417 days a week (assumed)PER YEAR
£3861,467 kWh at the assumed useWork out your own cost
Choose your region or type in your own unit rate, then change the wattage and hours to match your appliance and how you use it. It starts with a week at our assumed use, averaged to hours a day.
28.1 kWh over 7 days · about £1.06 a day
How much electricity it uses
- The MeacoCool MC Series Pro 9000 BTU portable air conditioner draws 1,005 W when cooling.
- Once the room reaches the set temperature the compressor cycles, so cost at full power is an upper estimate.
| Example | Rated power | Per hour | Per day | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical | 1,005 W | 26p | £1.06 | £386 |
Usage assumption: Four hours a day at full cooling power on hot days. This is our illustration, not a measured average; change it in the calculator.
What drives the cost
- Hours of use and the temperature you set.
- Sun on the windows and how well the exhaust hose is sealed.
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable air conditioner | 1 day, 4 hours | 4.02 kWh | £1.06 |
| Electric fan | 1 day, 8 hours | 0.19 kWh | 5.1p |
| Dehumidifier | 1 day, 8 hours | 1.73 kWh | 45p |
Ways to spend less
- Close curtains on sunny windows and set a moderate temperature so the compressor runs less.
Unit rates vary by region: this period they run from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. See every region’s rate →
Questions
How much does a portable air conditioner cost to run per hour?
At 26.32p per kWh (the GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT), a portable air conditioner rated at 1,005 W costs about 26p an hour at full power. Models from 1,005 W to 1,005 W cost 26p to 26p an hour.
How much does a portable air conditioner cost to run a year?
It depends on how much you use it. Our assumption is four hours a day at full cooling power on hot days. At 26.32p per kWh that comes to about £386 a year (1,467 kWh). Change the hours or uses in the calculator to match your own.
Does the cost depend on where I live?
Yes, a little. Price-cap electricity unit rates for October–December 2026 range from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Pick your region in the calculator, or enter the unit rate from your bill if you are on a fixed or time-of-use tariff.
About these figures
Running costs are energy used × unit rate. They exclude the daily standing charge, which you pay whether or not the appliance runs. Costs per hour assume the appliance draws its full rated power the whole time; many appliances cycle on and off, so real use is often lower. Power ratings and energy figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.
Other appliances
Sources
- MeacoCool MC Series Pro 9000 BTU portable air conditioner ↗Cooling power consumption 1,005 W.
- Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges ↗GB average electricity unit rate and VAT basis, October–December 2026.
Last updated 11 October 2026. Figures are dated benchmarks taken from the sources above. How we use sources →