For most homeowners in the St. Louis area, running the AC unit is one thing that contributes highly to the utility bills. The cost to run the AC can skyrocket especially during the summer when the system is working hard all day. Although there is no definite cost for running the AC, it is important to know how to estimate.
This can help you plan your utility bills and ultimately stick to your budget. It is important, therefore, to know what factors affect the cost to run the AC unit.
Galmiche & Sons is an HVAC company that has been operating in St. Louis for many years. Our vast experience in the industry ensures that we deliver quality services to all our customers, and we can help our customers when it comes to improving energy efficiency and reducing energy bills. To learn more and for all of your heating & air conditioning needs, give us a call today at 314-993-1110.
Factors That Affect the Cost to Run the AC Unit
Before you can reliably estimate your utility costs, it is important to learn what factors affect the cost. Knowing this will help you to ultimately make better decisions regarding your AC unit. Here are some of the factors that may either lead to higher or lower utility costs:
- Energy Costs: The amount of money you pay per unit of energy consumed will automatically affect the cost to run your AC unit. Typically, electric providers charge per kWh. To find out how much your utility provider is charging you, you can simply contact them or check the last utility statement for the cost.
- Outdoor Conditions: The cost to run the AC will vary greatly depending on the outdoor conditions at the time. For example, during hot and humid summer days, your AC will work more to keep your indoor air cool. This means that the unit will consume more energy, which will then translate to higher utility bills.
- AC Efficiency: When choosing an AC unit for your home, it is important to note the SEER rating. Units that have higher SEER ratings are more energy efficient. This is because for every unit of energy consumed, they produce more cooling. A more efficient unit will mean a lower cost to run the AC.
- AC Installation and Maintenance: If your AC unit was not properly installed, then there are high chances that it will consume more energy. In the same way, it is important to have the unit maintained regularly to ensure maximum efficiency. This will reduce the cost to run the unit.
Estimating the Cost to Run Your AC
You can easily estimate the cost to run your AC by following these steps:
- Determine the amps drawn by the unit. This will depend on the SEER rating and the unit’s size. For example, a 4-ton AC at 16 SEER rating is approximately 21 amps.
- Calculate the wattage consumed. Typically, a whole-home AC uses a 240-volt outlet. Therefore, 240 watts multiplied by 21 amps= 5040 watts
- Find kWh by dividing by 1000, 5040/1000= 5.04kWh
- Determine the cost to run the AC for an hour using the formula: kWh x kWh unit cost. For example, if the kWh unit cost is 12 cents, we have 5.04 x 12= $0.6048
- You can then use this cost per hour to find out the cost per day or for several hours.
Learn More About the Cost to Run The AC
If you would like to learn more about the cost to run your AC unit or are interested in getting a more efficient unit, contact us at 314-993-1110 and we will be glad to answer all your St. Louis heating & air conditioning related questions.
