The cost of living in Savannah, GA, is about 10% lower than the national average. According to Payscale, the biggest contributing factor is housing, which is 28% below the U.S. average, leaving median home prices at $324,206. Utilities like heating and cooling are also about 8% lower. However, many people may still find themselves wondering, “How much does it cost to run an air conditioner?”
Understanding how much your cooling bills should be on a monthly basis helps determine if you’re burning more electricity than you should, raising your cost of living. At Georgia Air Cooling & Heating, our stellar technicians have years of experience with all AC unit types. So, we’ll relay what your costs should be and if you need premium AC installation services in Savannah, GA, to reduce your expenditures.
The Average Cost of Running Air Conditioners
You may believe there’s a steadfast answer to this question, but it depends on multiple factors like location, unit type, and system size. Because of this, the average price point for how much you would pay monthly to run your unit ranges from $17 to $270. Below, we’ll break down these factors in detail.
The Savannah, GA, Air Conditioning Costs Versus the Rest of the U.S.
The first factor that affects air conditioning costs is location, especially since each state has a different electrical cost. For instance, Hawaii has the highest utility cost with residents spending 43.93 cents per kilowatt-hour, according to Statistica. In comparison, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Utah nearly tie for the lowest rates, with each of these states spending between 10.5 and 11 cents per kilowatt-hour.
But how much does it cost to run an air conditioner in Savannah, GA? This southern state is on the lower end of the spectrum with energy costs averaging 12.95 cents per kilowatt-hour, making monthly electricity bills the 16th most economical across the states.
In other words, if you run the same type of air conditioner for the same amount of time as someone in Hawaii, California, or Rhode Island, the three most expensive states, you’ll pay less simply because of location. However, this hourly AC running cost goes up or down, depending on your unit’s type, size, usage, and age.
Savannah Unit Types: From Central Air to Window Systems
The four main types of air conditioning units include central air conditioning (which sends ductwork throughout your home for uniform cooling), ductless mini-splits (with different air handlers for separate cooling zones), window units (which control a single room), and portable systems (which can follow you). But just as each appeases unique needs, they also have different cooling costs.
Central and Portable Air
Because central air conditioning units cool your entire home at once, even the rooms you’re not currently using, they cost the most to run, with the hourly cost ranging from $0.12 to $1.13 per hour. That averages $30 to $270 at the end of each summer month. While portable units have the same starting prices, they do not range as highly, capping off with a high cost of $0.21 per hour and $50 per month.
Ductless Mini-Splits
But how much does it cost to run an air conditioner if your Savannah, GA, home uses a ductless mini-split? Ductless mini-splits are popular since they don’t require the installation and maintenance of ductwork, making them a cost-effective option. They’re also more economical than central cooling in the long term, with an hourly running cost of $0.07 to $0.30 and a monthly one of $17 to $72.
Window Units
Finally, the window unit cost spectrum spans from $0.08 to $0.23 an hour or $20 to $55 monthly. While the lows closely resemble those of ductless mini-splits, the highs rival those of a portable unit.
The BTU Ratings on Each Unit Type
Knowing where you fall on the spectrum of these running air conditioner expenses starts with understanding your British Thermal Unit (BTU) rating. The higher your BTU, the larger your unit, which means it has more power and can remove heat faster from a given home or room. However, it also means it’s more expensive to run.
For instance, as we’ve said above, central air costs $30 to $270 monthly. But where would your central air system rest on this spectrum? If you have a small 400-to-600-square-foot home with few rooms, you can utilize a smaller unit size of 12,000 BTU or one ton, which consumes between 800 and 1,500 watts. In this case, you can pay as little as $30 to $60 each month, falling on the lower end of the central cooling spectrum.
However, you may fall on the other end of the spectrum if you have a five-ton, 60,000 BTU rating on your central unit cooling your 3,000-square-foot home. This can end up costing you $144 to $270 each month the system is in use.
How much does it cost to run an air conditioner in Savannah, GA, if you have a different type of unit?
- Ductless mini-splits range from 9,000 BTUs (which costs $17 to $24 monthly) to 24,000 BTUs (with monthly costs of $46 to $72). They also use 440 to 700 watts and 1,250 to 2,000 watts, respectively.
- Window air conditioner energy costs are as low as $19 to $29 with 5,000 to 8,000 BTU ratings or as high as $43 to $55 for 12,000 to 15,000 BTU ratings. While the former uses 500 to 800 watts, the latter uses 1,200 to 1,500.
- Portable AC units include ones as small as 8,000 to 10,000 BTUs and consume $29 to $36 worth of energy each month, while larger ones range from 12,000 to 14,000 BTUs and cost $43 to $50 monthly. They consume 800 to 1,000 watts and 1,200 to 1,400 watts, respectively.
The SEER Rating and Age of Each Unit
Even with the right BTU rating (meaning you’re not overspending on an oversized unit or compromising comfort with an undersized one), you’ll want to check your SEER rating. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio divides the BTU by the energy it consumes in kWh, and the higher the number, the more efficient your unit. This number affects the answer to, “How much does it cost to run an air conditioner in Savannah, GA?”
For instance, while a rating of 14 is good, 16 or higher is considered efficient by government standards. Older units may have a lower rating, meaning you may need a unit replacement to save money in the long run. But even if you have a unit that is under 15 years old, you may still have a lower unit rating if you have not provided the system with regular maintenance and care throughout the years.
So, if your energy bills have started rising in recent years, have a professional test your SEER rating to determine if the efficiency level has lowered and if you need a new unit with a higher rating. With every point increase on the SEER scale, your Savannah home energy consumption rates drop by 6% to 10%.
Other Factors That Affect the Cost of Air Conditioning in Savannah, GA
The cost to operate your AC also depends on other factors like the following:
- The location of your air conditioner unit: Air conditioners have a lot of internal components that work hard to expel heat from your home, but if the outdoor condenser unit sits on the South or West side of your home and receives direct sunlight for 14 hours daily, it can overheat. This causes the unit to work harder and burn more energy.
- How many hours your air conditioner is in use: It’s a given that the more you use your unit, the more energy the unit pulls from your local utility grid. In turn, you’ll pay higher energy bills, especially if you run your unit during peak hours when certain providers raise utility costs.
- The temperature setting on your unit: Another factor that affects the answer to, “How much does it cost to run an air conditioner in Savannah, GA?” is temperature. According to the Department of Energy, for every degree you raise your unit’s thermostat setting, you save 3% on your electricity bills. So, consider keeping it at 78 degrees and raising it when away and at night.
- Household insulation: Your unit works by cycling until it reaches your desired thermostat setting. However, if your home has poor insulation, cool air seeps out of ductwork and into your home’s structure. It can also end up outdoors due to gaps in windows, doors, and other openings, causing your unit to cycle nonstop, raising energy bills.
No One Understands Georgia Air Like Us!
At Georgia Air Cooling & Heating, we know the cost to operate your AC depends on many factors. So, when you need a trusted team in Savannah, GA, whether to fix an AC relay switch or find answers to the question, “How much does it cost to run an air conditioner?” call 912-513-3724!