worldofcalcsHow Much Does an AC Cost to Run per Month in India? (2026)
The AC is usually the biggest item on an Indian summer electricity bill. How much it costs depends on its size, whether it is an inverter model, how many hours it runs and your tariff.
How to work it out
Units a month = average power (watts) × hours a day × 30 ÷ 1,000
Cost = units × your rate per unit
An AC doesn't draw its full rated power all the time. Once the room is cool, an inverter AC slows its compressor right down, so its average draw is well below the label. These are typical averages:
| AC | Typical average draw |
|---|---|
| 1-ton inverter | 700 W |
| 1.5-ton inverter (5-star) | 1,000 W |
| 1.5-ton non-inverter | 1,500 W |
| 2-ton inverter | 1,400 W |
| 2-ton non-inverter | 2,000 W |
Monthly cost at 8 hours a day
| AC | Units a month | At ₹6 a unit | At ₹8 a unit | At ₹10 a unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-ton inverter | 168 | ₹1,008 | ₹1,344 | ₹1,680 |
| 1.5-ton inverter (5-star) | 240 | ₹1,440 | ₹1,920 | ₹2,400 |
| 1.5-ton non-inverter | 360 | ₹2,160 | ₹2,880 | ₹3,600 |
| 2-ton inverter | 336 | ₹2,016 | ₹2,688 | ₹3,360 |
| 2-ton non-inverter | 480 | ₹2,880 | ₹3,840 | ₹4,800 |
At 6 hours a day, a 1.5-ton inverter AC costs about ₹1,440 a month at ₹8 a unit; at 10 hours, about ₹2,400.
Inverter vs non-inverter
A 5-star inverter AC uses about a third less power than a non-inverter of the same size. At 8 hours a day and ₹8 a unit, that saves about ₹960 a month for a 1.5-ton AC, or roughly ₹5,000–6,000 over a typical summer. The inverter model usually costs more to buy, so the saving matters most if you run the AC for many hours.
Your real rate per unit
Most states charge in slabs: the first units are cheap, and the rate rises as you use more. AC use pushes many homes into the highest slab, so the AC's units often cost more than your average rate. Check your bill for the slab rates, and remember fixed charges and electricity duty are added on top.
Ways to cut the bill
- Set it to 24–26 °C. Each degree higher saves a noticeable share of the power; 24 °C is the default the Bureau of Energy Efficiency recommends.
- Use a ceiling fan with it. Moving air feels cooler, so you can set the AC a couple of degrees higher.
- Clean the filters every 2–3 weeks in peak season, and get the AC serviced before summer.
- Close doors and curtains, and keep sunlight off the outdoor unit if you can.
- Size it right. A 1-ton AC is enough for a room up to about 120–140 sq ft; 1.5-ton suits about 140–180 sq ft.
Work out your own
Enter your AC's wattage, hours and rate in the electricity cost calculator. It also lists the running cost of fans, geysers, fridges and other appliances.
Actual consumption depends on the room, insulation, outside temperature and settings. Check the yellow BEE star label for your model's rated yearly units.