AC Running Cost Calculator
Monthly and yearly electricity cost by tonnage, star rating, hours and DISCOM.
Calculate cost →📐AC Tonnage Calculator
What size AC your room needs, adjusted for sun exposure and floor level.
Find AC size →⚖️3 Star vs 5 Star Savings
Interactive comparison of annual savings from a 5-star AC by usage and tariff.
Compare now →🆚AC Comparison Tool
Compare any two AC configurations side by side — tonnage, star rating, or both.
Compare ACs →🔢Power Consumption Calculator
From your AC's nameplate rated current — no tonnage lookup needed.
Calculate draw →🛡️Circuit Safety Calculator
General MCB rating and wire gauge guidance for an AC circuit.
Get guidance →Why AC cost depends on more than the price tag
An air conditioner is often the single biggest line on a summer electricity bill. Two things drive the cost: how efficiently the unit converts power into cooling (its ISEER / star rating), and the rate your DISCOM charges for those extra units — which, because AC is added on top of your base usage, is your highest tariff slab.
Our calculators combine both, so you see a realistic running cost, the right size for your room, and the payback on a more efficient model.
Frequently asked questions
Why does an AC cost so much more than other appliances?
Two reasons: the compressor draws continuous, relatively high power while it runs, and because it adds to your existing usage, its units land on your DISCOM's highest tariff slab — not a blended average rate.
What's the difference between the running cost calculator and the tonnage calculator?
The running cost calculator prices a specific AC you already have (or are considering) — tonnage, star rating and hours. The tonnage calculator answers a different question: what size AC does your room actually need, before you buy one.
Should I buy a 3-star or 5-star AC?
It depends on your daily usage hours and your DISCOM's tariff — use our 3-star vs 5-star savings guide to see the exact annual difference and payback period for your situation.
Do these calculators use my actual electricity tariff?
Yes — pick your DISCOM in each calculator and the units are priced at that state's real, source-cited tariff, not a national average.
What's the difference between ISEER and SEER?
ISEER is BEE's India-specific efficiency standard, tested against Indian climate and usage conditions. SEER is the equivalent US standard, tested differently — an ISEER-based estimate is the one that reflects real running cost in India.
Can I check if my AC circuit is wired safely?
Use our circuit safety calculator for general MCB and wire gauge planning guidance from your AC's rated current — it's a starting point for a conversation with a licensed electrician, not a substitute for one.
How do I compare AC running cost against solar savings?
AC is usually the biggest single driver of a summer bill, and it runs mostly during daylight — exactly when rooftop solar generates. See our solar ROI calculator to check whether panels sized around your AC usage would pay back.
Why does the same AC cost differently to run in two different states?
Because DISCOM tariffs differ — different top-slab rates, fuel cost adjustments and electricity duty. See the multi-state slab comparison on our running cost calculator for a real, computed example.
I don't know my AC's tonnage or star rating — can I still get an estimate?
Yes — use the power consumption calculator instead, which works from your AC's nameplate rated current (in Amps) rather than tonnage and star rating.
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