top of page

Annual Cooling Cost Calculator

Instructions:

  1. Review the methodology to make sure it aligns with your project's requirements.

  2. Input the unit's capacity.

  3. Select if the SEER of the unit is just SEER or SEER2.

  4. If it's SEER, input the value.

  5. If it is SEER2, please specify the unit type and input the value.

  6. Input the cooling load hours if you know them. If not, you can select a city close to the location of your building for an approximation.

  7. The default electric rate is $0.12, but you can change it for a more accurate result.

Anchor 1

Methodology, Equation, Examples:

The Annual cooling cost calculator estimates the cost of running an AC unit over the course of a year. The formula that we use to calculate this is as follows.

Capacity (Btuh)/SEER X Cooling Degree Days/1000 X Elec. Rate = Annual Cost of Operation

For the efficiency value in this equation, you can input SEER or SEER2, which will automatically be converted into the correct form. To see how this conversion works check out our EER SEER2 COP HSPF2 kw/Ton Converter. We are pulling the Cooling Degree Days from the ASHRAE handbook. For the specific cooling degree days, we are looking at the base 65°F CDD.

Example

A 38,000 Btuh system with a SEER of 11.00 located in Miami Florida, with an electrical rate of 12 cents per kwh (kilowatt hour). Plugging this in we get...

38,000 Btuh / 11 X 4259 CDD /1000 X 0.12 cents = $ 1765.55 per year

Now, using the calculator, we get the same result.​

Screenshot of calculator results

Relevant citations:

Cooling Degree Days from ASHRAE (2017)

The formula for the Annual Cost of Operation

Further information about cooling degree days can be found here and here

 

©2014-2025 by Adicot, Inc.

Report a Problem with our HVAC Calculators

Adicot, Inc.'s calculators are intended for professionals. Adicot, Inc. makes no warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, concerning the information contained on this website. The information presented on this website shall be used by professionals who understand the implications of the results. If professional services are required, please consult a licensed professional engineer in your location, as building codes differ based on differing jurisdictions. The author and publisher shall not be liable in the event of damages of any kind in connection with, or arising from, the use of the information contained within this website.  Any use of this website, including the calculators, is at the user’s sole risk. Use of the website, including the calculators, in any way shall constitute an acknowledgment and acceptance of the foregoing.

​The calculators' accuracy is dependent on user-supplier data. It is the user's responsibility to understand how the data entered affects calculator output. The calculation results are meant to aid the designer and are not a substitute for professional design service, judgment, or experience. The user accepts all responsibility for any claims, actions, or damages from using the calculators.

10 Year Anniversary
bottom of page