You’re sweating profusely . . . in your own home nonetheless. It can’t go on this way. You have to install a new air conditioner.
But you’re wondering: how much does air conditioning cost per month? That’s a great question and, fortunately, one that we can answer in detail. So, without further ado, here is everything you need to know about air conditioning costs in Beaumont, TX, and otherwise.
How Much Does Air Conditioning Cost a Month?
In truth, air conditioning costs can vary greatly. They are dependent on a number of factors, including but not limited to the cost of electricity, the size of the home being cooled, and the efficiency of the air conditioning unit itself.
That said, there is data available, and currently, it shows that air conditioning costs somewhere between 6 cents and 88 cents an hour. Run constantly over the span of a month, this would cost between $43.20 and $633.6.
If you were to average these two figures out, you would get $338.40. Note, though, that air conditioners rarely run 24 hours a day. In fact, most run around 8 hours a day, so divide the aforementioned figure by 3 and you’ve got $112.80, a much more accurate figure overall.
Factors That Affect Monthly Air Conditioning Costs
There are all sorts of factors that could affect monthly air conditioning costs. The primary factors to consider include:
Your Local Cost of Electricity
Electricity costs vary based on the area in which you live and on the grid that you’re getting electricity from. Whereas electricity costs in, say, New England, can be exceedingly expensive, electricity costs in, for example, the southeast, tend to be quite low.
Texas has below-average electricity costs. In fact, in 2018, the state was ranked 7th lowest in the cost of electricity per kWh. This means that it’s quite an inexpensive place in which to run an air conditioner.
The Amount That You Run Your Air Conditioner
Obviously, the more you run your air conditioner, the more electricity it’s going to use, and the more expensive your bill is going to be. As such, strategically adjusting the temperatures on your thermostat can actually save you quite a bit of money.
The Efficiency of Your Air Conditioning Unit
Not all air conditioning units are created equal. In fact, some are much more efficient than others. Not only do different types of air conditioning units differ in efficiency but different brands and different manufacture years as well.
Generally speaking, the newer brands waste less energy than the older ones. And, in most cases, well-known brands run more efficiently than the others.
The Size of Your Home
The size of your home will have a large effect on your air conditioning costs as well. This stands to reason, as the larger your home is, the more air the system has to produce, and the harder it has to work overall.
As such, if you’re living in, say, a 2,500-square-foot home, you’ll have to pay much more on air conditioning costs than would someone living in, say, a 1,500-square-foot home.
You can get around this by using ductless mini-split air conditioners in only a few different rooms but then much of your home will be left hot. If you want to cool every room in your home, you’re going to have to pony up more money.
Air Conditioner Maintenance
The last factor you should consider is air conditioner maintenance. The better you take care of your air conditioner, the easier it will run, and the less energy it will need in order to perform its function. As such, you should be performing maintenance on your AC on a regular basis.
AC maintenance runs the gamut from changing air filters to keeping the condenser area cleared to cleaning the ducts to scrubbing the coils within the air conditioner and more. Doing these things on a regular basis will not only allow the unit to run more efficiently but will also prolong the unit’s lifespan.
It’s also recommended that twice a year, you have a professional HVAC specialist come in and take a look at your AC unit. He or she will inspect its internal components to ensure that everything is operating as it should be. Then, if need be, he or she will make repairs and replacements.
The Costs of Running Different Types of Air Conditioners
There are several different types of air conditioning units out there. These include central AC, ductless mini-split ACs, and heat pumps. Each offers a different level of efficiency and, therefore, costs a different amount of money to run.
Generally speaking, the most efficient option is the heat pump. If you live in a relatively mild climate, a heat pump can provide you with both heat and cooling at a fraction of the cost of what you would pay with central AC or ductless mini-splits.
If you’re only looking to cool a single room, a ductless mini-split system would be much cheaper to run than would a central AC. Note, though, that if you require more than a unit or two (as a means of cooling several different rooms throughout the house), your monthly costs will end up being more expensive than they would with a single central AC unit.
Interested in Installing an Air Conditioner in Beaumont, TX?
Now that you have an answer to “how much does air conditioning cost?”, you might be interested in installing an air conditioner yourself. If so, and if you need an air conditioner in Beaumont, TX, we here at Thermacon Service Company have you covered.
Our team is staffed with skilled and experienced HVAC specialists and knows everything there is to know about installing air conditioners. We’ll set your system up in a safe and proper manner.
Contact us now to schedule an appointment!
