Room Air Conditioners / District of Columbia
Cost to run a room air conditioner in District of Columbia
A typical ENERGY STAR room air conditioner costs about $134.09 a year to run in District of Columbia, or $11.17 a month, at the state’s average residential price of 25.21 cents per kWh (July 2026).
- Typical yearly cost
- $134.09
- Over ten years
- $1341 today’s price
- Price in District of Columbia
- 25.21 ¢/kWh
“Typical” means the median annual energy use of 556 current ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioners (532 kWh a year), multiplied by the price. It is a standardized figure, not a measurement of your home.
By type of room air conditioner
| Type | Models | Median kWh/yr | Cost per year | Per month | Range per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Window | 491 | 500 | $126.05 | $10.50 | $65.65 to $528.48 |
| Through the Wall | 65 | 648 | $163.23 | $13.60 | $107.27 to $252.10 |
Costs use each type’s median listing; the range runs from its lowest to its highest listed energy use. Source: ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioners dataset (EPA) and EIA residential prices.
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia’s average residential price is 57% above the median US state, ranking 9 of 51 from highest to lowest. The same typical room air conditioner would cost $67.66 a year in Louisiana, the cheapest state, and $255.31 in Hawaii, the most expensive. Over the last 12 months District of Columbia’s price rose 9.4%.
Cost to run a room air conditioner in every state · District of Columbia electricity price history · Replacing an old room air conditioner? Savings calculator
Lowest running cost by type
The published model with the lowest listed annual energy use in each type, with its cost at District of Columbia’s price:
- Midea MWEUTW-08CRFN8-BCN1 (through the wall): 426 kWh a year, about $107.27 in District of Columbia
- Vissani VAW05V1KWT (window): 260 kWh a year, about $65.65 in District of Columbia
These are the lowest among the models published on this site, not among every certified model. Browse all room air conditioners by energy use.
Questions
How much does it cost to run a room air conditioner in District of Columbia?
A typical ENERGY STAR room air conditioner (the median of 556 current listings, 531.9 kWh a year) costs about $134.09 a year, or $11.17 a month, at District of Columbia's average residential price of 25.21 cents per kWh. By type it ranges from $126.05 (window) to $163.23 (through the wall).
Is electricity expensive in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia's average residential price is 25.21 cents per kWh (July 2026, EIA), 57% above the median state and 9 of 51 when states are ranked from highest to lowest price. The same typical room air conditioner would cost $67.66 a year in Louisiana, the cheapest state, and $255.31 in Hawaii.
Will my room air conditioner cost the same?
Probably not exactly. The annual figure is a standardized ENERGY STAR value, and your own price per kWh may differ from the statewide average. Enter your rate in the calculator on any room air conditioner page for a closer number.