Seabreeze Air Conditioning

Are Wall Mounted Split System Air Conditioning Systems Expensive To Run?

MS

Sep 02, 2024By Mark Sharp


Intro:

Over 30% of Aussies think that their air conditioner is the main contributor to their electricity bill, so it makes sense that this is one of the biggest air conditioner myths out there.

The reality is that modern air conditioners deliver approximately 300-400% efficiency. This means for every 1kW of power your air conditioner uses, it can deliver between 3-4kW in cooling or heating power.

Given the more efficient an appliance is, the cheaper it is to run, Air Conditioners, if used appropriately, are reasonably cheap to run!

The table below includes some approximate running costs of various appliances compared to the average air conditioner. 

Data table that shows some approximate running costs of various appliances compared to the average air conditioner.
Running costs are approximate. Based on $0.35/kWh electricity costs. The current electricity charges as of August 2024 is $0.384c kWh. So these figures will be slightly higher than what is displayed below.

Costs per Room Size

The tables below show how much you may pay for air con over a year. 

The costs are based on usage assumptions for air con use, which consider the energy efficiency of a device according to the climate zone you live in (eg. hot, average, cold). 

These costs have been broken down by small, medium and large room sizes for reverse cycle, non-ducted, single split systems. 

Average annual costs for reverse cycle, ducted air conditioners have been included in a separate table.

Please note:  Currently as of August 2024,  'General Usage' cost for electricity is $0.384c kWh and the figures below are using 2023 average prices of  $0.35c kWh.

SMALL ROOM SIZE: Average annual air conditioner running costs - reverse cycle, non-ducted, single split system.

Average annual air conditioner running costs in a small room - reverse cycle, non-ducted, single split system.
Small Room

MEDIUM ROOM SIZE: Average annual air conditioner running costs - reverse cycle, non-ducted, single split system.

Average annual air conditioner running costs for a medium size room- reverse cycle, non-ducted, single split system.
Medium Room

LARGE ROOM SIZE: Average annual air conditioner running costs - reverse cycle, non-ducted, single split system.

Average annual air conditioner running costs for a large room - reverse cycle, non-ducted, single split system.
Large Room

What about ducted air conditioner costs?

Ducted Air Conditioning is the undisputed king of cooling, but it comes at a cost. Not only are ducted aircon systems more expensive to install, but as the table below illustrates, they’re not cheap to run either.

Below is the annual ducted air conditioning running costs for a reverse cycle, single-split system. Keep in mind these annual costs will vary depending on which climate zone you’re in, what electricity usage rate you’re being charged, air conditioner unit’s capacity and the size of the room being cooled.

Average annual air conditioner running costs (reverse cycle, ducted, single split system):

Average annual air conditioner running costs (reverse cycle, ducted, single split system)
Ducted AC

Got a question? Send us an email or give us a call to discuss your air conditioning needs.

Looking for ways to reduce your AC power consumption? Click Here for some easy tips and advice.

- Mark

Source: www.canstar.com.au – 01/11/2023. Average energy consumption figures based on air conditioners listed in the Commonwealth of Australia E3 Program’s Registration database. Average electricity usage rates based on single rate, non-solar only plans on Canstar’s database, available for an annual usage of 4,347 kWh. With the exception of Perth which is based on the usage rate of the Synergy Home Plan (A1) tariff and Darwin which is based on the government’s regulated rate. Climate zones based on the Zoned Energy Rating Label for air conditioner models imported or supplied after 1 April 2020.