How Many Watts Does an Air Conditioner Use? (Updated 2020)

How Many Watts Do Air Conditioner Units Actually Use?

Determining just how many specific Watts any particular air conditioning unit uses, unfortunately, isn’t a simple matter. The answer is going to vary based on many factors, including but not limited to the specific make and model of the unit, its size, how old it is, and various characteristics of the home it serves. You can look up how many Watts a particular AC unit is supposed to use and then formulate how much your home uses its own air conditioning, but you’ll still only come up with an approximate number. Central AC uses additional power every time it activates, and you never really know your system efficiency at any given time.

However, there are general estimates for the number of Watts that different air conditioners use:

• Central AC: 3500 Watts
• Central AC With Compressor Off And Fan-Only: 750 Watts
• Smallest Window AC Units: 500 Watts
• Medium Window AC Units: 900 Watts
• Most significant Window AC Units: 1440 Watts

Factors Impacting The Number Of Watts AC Units Need

Expenses: Your monthly electric bill is mostly based on local rates. However, you can estimate your costs in several different ways. Energy Star has data suggesting that typical homeowners spend approximately $1,000 every year for their HAVC costs, roughly half of their overall energy bills. In hotter climates, such as Florida, cooling might take up over 2/3 of summer power bills. That’s a lot of money over time, which means it’s a wise choice to look into anything that conserves energy.

Picking An Air Conditioner: Instead of choosing an AC unit based on its Watts, select the group which is sized right for a space you hope to cool down. Buying one too small is just as drastic a mistake as getting one that is too big. Skimping out on size means your system has to work too hard to keep a space pleasant and comfortable. Conversely, an oversized unit won’t operate at peak efficiency. The system will cool down your home too quickly, and that will leave too much humidity in your home’s air. That’s uncomfortable at best and risks mold issues later at worst.

You can have your home’s characteristics and existing equipment installation assessed by a professional HVAC technician. After you know what’s the best size for home, then you can begin looking into other features, such as energy efficiency.

AC Energy Conservation

AC efficiency is rated by SEER, which stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. Higher numbers mean more ability when the unit is in operation. Central AC units might also have an Energy Star designation, which is a label not given to room-sized air conditioners. Given how long the warm season can be in some areas, it’s smart to buy the highest level of efficiency that’s within your budget. Once you invest in an effective AC, do what you can to keep the unit running well. Annual service checks, clearing outside debris, and regular filter changes all add up.

If remembering all the maintenance is hard for you to do, register for an annual maintenance agreement ahead of time. These arrangements usually prove cheaper in the long run than individually scheduled service calls, and regular maintenance of any kind helps your AC run longer, better, and less expensive. Consult a certified HVAC technician to learn more about all of this.