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Cost to run a ducted air conditioner in New South Wales (2026–27)

NSW reference tariff · 33.1c/kWh

$1.33 per hour at 4,000 W

Typical use (6 h/day, 90 days a year at 4,000 W) ≈ $716/year on the Ausgrid rate.

Source: AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8), effective 1 July 2026

Ducted aircon cost in NSW at 6 h/day, 90 days/year (33.1c/kWh)
Model bandPer hourPer dayPer monthPer year
Efficient (2,000 W)$0.66$3.98$120.88$358
Typical (4,000 W)$1.33$7.95$241.77$716
High (6,500 W)$2.15$12.92$392.87$1,163

Appliance running-cost calculator

NSW

Ducted aircon: 2,000–6,500 W typical range.

4–8 h/day across summer for a whole home; near-continuous in heatwaves.

$1.33 per hour · $716/year at your settings
Per day (6 h)
$7.95
Per month
$241.77
Per year (90 days)
$715.76

Tariff: 33.1c/kWh — AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8) for the Ausgrid network, effective 1 July 2026. Wattage basis: Daikin ducted specifications (via Advanced Air). Full ducted aircon costs in NSW →

How NSW compares

  • New South Wales ranks 5th cheapest of 8 states for this appliance: $716 a year at typical use, $122 more than Victoria and $189 less than South Australia.
  • On the NSW rate an efficient 2,000 W model costs $358 a year less than a typical 4,000 W one at 6 hours a day for 90 days.

The same appliance in other states

Cutting the cost

Zone it. Only condition the rooms you're actually using, close the vents and doors elsewhere, and hold a moderate thermostat setting rather than blasting cold air. A gentle set-point costs far less to maintain than a chilly one, and running the fan on "auto" stops it circulating once the room is comfortable. Service the filters before summer so the system isn't fighting a clogged return.

Frequently asked questions

What does a ducted air conditioner cost per hour in NSW?
$1.33 at the typical 4,000 W draw on NSW's reference rate of 33.1c/kWh (Ausgrid network). Efficient models run $0.66, high-draw models $2.15.
How is this calculated?
4,000 W is 4 kW; at 33.1c/kWh that is $1.33 an hour, $7.95 over 6 hours and $716 over 90 days. Change the watts, hours or days in the calculator above.
Is the tariff here what I actually pay?
It's the AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8) usage rate for the Ausgrid network. NSW's 3 networks run from 33.1c to 35.0c/kWh, and market offers can price under the reference. See NSW rates by zone.

Related

Sources — figures current as at 17 July 2026.

4–8 h/day across summer for a whole home; near-continuous in heatwaves.