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How much does it cost to run a window / portable air conditioner? (2026–27)

At typical draw · official state tariffs

$0.33–$0.50 per hour at 1,200 W

Typical household use — 6 h/day, 90 days a year at 1,200 W — runs $178–$272 a year depending on your state's tariff.

Wattage basis: Rated cooling power input: TCL window units 790–1,250 W; portables are less efficient (EER ~2.6–3.3), large units 1,600–2,000 W.

Portable aircon running cost by state at typical draw (2026–27 reference tariffs)
StateTariff c/kWhPer hourTypical year
New South Wales33.1c$0.40$215
Victoria27.5c$0.33$178
Queensland28.0c$0.34$181
South Australia41.9c$0.50$272
Western Australia33.3c$0.40$216
Tasmania28.0c$0.34$181
Australian Capital Territory37.0c$0.44$239
Northern Territory31.7c$0.38$205

Appliance running-cost calculator

NSW

Portable aircon: 700–2,000 W typical range.

4–8 h/day, usually one room in the evening; portables often run flat-out.

$0.40 per hour · $215/year at your settings
Per day (6 h)
$2.39
Per month
$72.53
Per year (90 days)
$214.73

Tariff: 33.1c/kWh — AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8) for the Ausgrid network, effective 1 July 2026. Wattage basis: Aircon Advice — portable AC running costs (AU). Full portable aircon costs in NSW →

Cutting the cost

These are the least efficient way to cool a space, so use them as a spot fix, not an all-day habit. Seal the exhaust hose snugly in the window opening so hot air can't sneak back in. Cool one closed room rather than the whole house, and switch to a plain fan once it's comfortable. Empty or drain the unit as directed to keep it running properly.

Frequently asked questions

How is the running cost calculated?
Watts ÷ 1,000 × your electricity rate = cost per hour. A portable aircon drawing 1,200 W on a 33.1c/kWh tariff costs $0.40 an hour — the calculator above lets you change every input.
Does a higher star rating cut the cost?
Yes — the star rating compresses the power draw or energy per use, which scales this page's figures directly. The low–high band in the table (700–2,000 W) roughly spans efficient to inefficient models.
Why does the state matter?
The appliance draws the same power everywhere — but each state's reference usage rate differs, so the same hour of running costs $0.33 in the cheapest state and $0.50 in the dearest. Pick your state above for exact figures.

Related

Sources — figures current as at 17 July 2026.

Costs use each state's representative-zone reference usage rate, effective 1 July 2026. 4–8 h/day, usually one room in the evening; portables often run flat-out.