How Much Does It Cost to Run a 4 ton Central AC?
$153
A 4 ton central AC with a SEER of 14 draws about 3.43 kW on average, so running it 8 hours a day costs about $153 a month ($0.64 per hour) at the U.S. average rate of 18.56¢ per kWh.
Monthly cost of a 4 ton central AC by efficiency (8 hours a day)
| SEER | Per month | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| SEER 10 | $214 | $0.89 |
| SEER 13 | $164 | $0.69 |
| SEER 14 | $153 | $0.64 |
| SEER 16 | $134 | $0.56 |
| SEER 18 | $119 | $0.49 |
| SEER 20 | $107 | $0.45 |
Adjust the numbers
The calculator below is pre-filled with the numbers above. Change any value to match your project.
- Cost per hour
- $0.64
- Average power draw
- 3.43 kW
- Energy per month
- 823 kWh
What you will need
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How it is calculated
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is the cooling delivered in BTU per watt-hour of electricity over a cooling season. Average power in kW = BTU per hour ÷ SEER ÷ 1,000.
Monthly energy = average kW × hours per day × days, and cost = energy × your electricity rate (U.S. average 18.56¢/kWh, EIA March 2026). One ton of cooling is 12,000 BTU per hour.
Open the full ac running cost calculator for other shapes, a worked example and FAQs.