These cooling cost figures cover the measurement periods and populations identified in the available source material. Estimates, surveys and forecasts retain their reported scope.
Key Cooling Cost Statistics
The main findings are:
- U.S. primary occupied homes used 866 trillion Btu for air conditioning in 2020 and spent $32.77 billion on that end use (United States, 50 states and District of Columbia primary occupied housing units).
- Northeastern households spent $4.77 billion on air conditioning in 2020, averaging $245 per using household (U.S. Northeast census region).
- Single-family detached homes accounted for $24.42 billion of U.S. air-conditioning expenditure in 2020 and averaged $350 per using household (U.S. single-family detached homes).
- About 89% of U.S. homes used air conditioning in 2020, up from 57% in 1980 (1980 and 2020; United States homes).
- In DOE’s hot-humid/Southeast example, a best-available 23.5-SEER2 central air conditioner used 5,222 kWh and cost $575 annually (2024 guidance assumptions; U.S. hot-humid/Southeast states).
- In India, 24% of households owned either an evaporative air cooler or an air conditioner in 2021.
- The 2020 RECS counted 123.53 million U.S. housing units in its national household universe (United States primary occupied housing units).
- Midwestern households spent $5.11 billion on air conditioning in 2020, averaging $202 per using household (U.S. Midwest census region).
- Apartments in buildings with five or more units averaged $170 per household for air conditioning in 2020 (U.S. apartments in buildings with five or more units).
- The share of U.S. homes with central air conditioning rose from 27% in 1980 to 67% in 2020 (1980 and 2020; United States homes).
- The ENERGY STAR example unit at 15.2 SEER2 used 8,074 kWh and cost $889 annually in the same DOE scenario (2024 guidance assumptions; U.S. hot-humid/Southeast states).
- India’s electricity consumption due to space cooling increased 21% between 2019 and 2022 (2019–2022).
- Average annual air-conditioning expenditure was $299 per U.S. household using that end use in 2020.
- Southern households spent $16.84 billion on air conditioning in 2020, averaging $382 per using household (U.S. South census region).
- Rented U.S. homes spent $7.67 billion on air conditioning in 2020 and averaged $226 per using household (U.S. rented homes).
Contents
- Key Cooling Cost Statistics
- U.S. household cooling costs and energy scale
- Regional and climate-zone differences in cooling cost
- Housing, income and occupancy patterns in cooling cost
- Cooling adoption and global demand outlook
- Efficiency, operating cost and lifetime savings
- Cooling demand, grid pressure and measured outcomes
U.S. household cooling costs and energy scale
- U.S. primary occupied homes used 866 trillion Btu for air conditioning in 2020 and spent $32.77 billion on that end use (United States, 50 states and District of Columbia primary occupied housing units).
(Table CE3.1 Annual household site…)
* The 2020 RECS counted 123.53 million U.S. housing units in its national household universe (United States primary occupied housing units).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Average annual air-conditioning expenditure was $299 per U.S. household using that end use in 2020.
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Air conditioning accounted for about 19% of U.S. residential electricity consumption, or 254 billion kWh, in 2020 (United States homes).
(How much electricity is used…)
* Cooling represented 14% of U.S. commercial-building electricity consumption, or 170 billion kWh, in 2018 (United States commercial buildings).
(How much electricity is used…)
* Facility HVAC used 8% of U.S. manufacturing-facility electricity, or 76 billion kWh, in 2018 (United States manufacturing facilities).
(How much electricity is used…)
EIA RECS modelled end-use estimate; biomass, coal, district steam and solar thermal excluded from expenditures.
Vacant, seasonal, second homes, military housing and group quarters excluded.
Average is among households using the end use, not all housing units.
EIA RECS end-use estimate; annual shares vary with weather.
EIA CBECS measure covers electricity for cooling in commercial buildings.
MECS HVAC includes heating, ventilation and air conditioning, not cooling alone.
Regional and climate-zone differences in cooling cost
| U.S. region | Air-conditioning expenditure | Average per using household |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $4.77 billion | $245 |
| Midwest | $5.11 billion | $202 |
| South | $16.84 billion | $382 |
| West | $6.06 billion | $293 |
Source: EIA Table CE3.6.
- Northeastern households spent $4.77 billion on air conditioning in 2020, averaging $245 per using household (U.S. Northeast census region).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Midwestern households spent $5.11 billion on air conditioning in 2020, averaging $202 per using household (U.S. Midwest census region).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Southern households spent $16.84 billion on air conditioning in 2020, averaging $382 per using household (U.S. South census region).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Western households spent $6.06 billion on air conditioning in 2020, averaging $293 per using household (U.S. West census region).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Hot-humid climate-zone households averaged $482 per using household for air conditioning in 2020 (U.S. hot-humid climate region).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Marine-climate households averaged $124 per using household for air conditioning in 2020 (U.S. marine climate region).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Very-cold and cold climate-zone households spent $6.99 billion on air conditioning in 2020 and averaged $186 per using household (U.S. very-cold and cold climate regions).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Mixed-humid climate-zone households spent $10.20 billion on air conditioning in 2020 and averaged $296 per using household (U.S. mixed-humid climate region).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Mixed-dry and hot-dry climate-zone households averaged $388 per using household for air conditioning in 2020 (U.S. mixed-dry and hot-dry climate regions).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Southern households averaged 11.3 million Btu of air-conditioning site energy in 2020 (U.S. South census region).
(Table CE3.1 Annual household site…)
* Western households averaged 7.0 million Btu of air-conditioning site energy in 2020 (U.S. West census region).
(Table CE3.1 Annual household site…)
EIA RECS regional end-use estimate.
Climate regions follow combined Building America categories in RECS.
Combined category includes the subarctic region.
The table combines mixed-dry and hot-dry regions.
EIA RECS end-use model estimate.
Housing, income and occupancy patterns in cooling cost
- Single-family detached homes accounted for $24.42 billion of U.S. air-conditioning expenditure in 2020 and averaged $350 per using household (U.S. single-family detached homes).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Apartments in buildings with five or more units averaged $170 per household for air conditioning in 2020 (U.S. apartments in buildings with five or more units).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Rented U.S. homes spent $7.67 billion on air conditioning in 2020 and averaged $226 per using household (U.S. rented homes).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Owned U.S. homes spent $25.10 billion on air conditioning in 2020 and averaged $332 per using household (U.S. owned homes).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Homes with at least 3,000 square feet averaged $414 per household for air conditioning in 2020 (U.S. homes with 3,000 or more square feet).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Homes under 1,000 square feet averaged $186 per household for air conditioning in 2020 (U.S. homes with less than 1,000 square feet).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Homes with annual household income below $5,000 averaged $249 per household for air conditioning in 2020 (U.S. households with 2020 income below $5,000).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Homes with annual household income of $150,000 or more averaged $408 per household for air conditioning in 2020 (U.S. households with 2020 income of $150,000 or more).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* One-member households averaged $217 per household for air conditioning in 2020 (U.S. one-member households).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Households with six or more members averaged $412 per household for air conditioning in 2020 (U.S. households with six or more members).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Homes paying all energy bills themselves spent $31.05 billion on air conditioning in 2020 and averaged $309 per using household (U.S. homes with all energy bills paid by the household).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Homes with all energy costs included in rent or a condominium fee averaged $193 per household for air conditioning in 2020 (U.S. homes with all energy costs included in rent or condo fee).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Homes built from 2016 through 2020 averaged $247 per household for air conditioning in 2020 (U.S. homes built 2016–2020).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
* Homes built before 1950 averaged $276 per household for air conditioning in 2020 (U.S. homes built before 1950).
(Table CE3.6 Annual household site…)
Housing-type subgroup of RECS primary occupied units.
RECS rented category includes primary units occupied without paying rent.
Ownership subgroup of RECS primary occupied units.
Square footage includes conditioned areas and some finished basements/attics; reported or imputed by EIA.
Square footage follows the RECS definition.
Income is the RECS reported 2020 annual household-income category.
Household-size subgroup of RECS primary occupied units.
Payment-method category is self-reported in RECS.
Reported allocation may not represent a separately billed cooling charge.
Construction-year subgroup of RECS primary occupied units.
Cooling adoption and global demand outlook
- About 89% of U.S. homes used air conditioning in 2020, up from 57% in 1980 (1980 and 2020; United States homes).
(Electricity use in homes)
* The share of U.S. homes with central air conditioning rose from 27% in 1980 to 67% in 2020 (1980 and 2020; United States homes).
(Electricity use in homes)
* Only about 15% of the 3.5 billion people living in hot climates owned air conditioning in 2021 (Global population living in hot climates).
(Sustainable, Affordable Cooling Can Save…)
* The IEA Net Zero Emissions pathway reports 105 billion square metres of cooled building floor area in 2022 (Global buildings).
(Space cooling)
* The IEA Net Zero Emissions pathway reaches 140 billion square metres of cooled floor area by 2030 (Global buildings).
(Space cooling)
* The IEA Net Zero Emissions pathway reaches 250 billion square metres of cooled floor area by 2050 (Global buildings).
(Space cooling)
* Installed global space-cooling capacity was 850 GW in the IEA pathway baseline for 2022 (Global space-cooling equipment).
(Space cooling)
* Installed global space-cooling capacity reaches 2,700 GW by 2050 in the IEA Net Zero Emissions pathway (Global space-cooling equipment).
(Space cooling)
* The IEA pathway has 36% of households with air conditioners in 2022 and 60% by 2050 (2022 and 2050; Global households).
Comparison uses EIA RECS historical survey estimates.
Central-air category is distinct from any air-conditioning use.
IEA estimate; ownership is lower in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
IEA scenario milestone, not a universal measured census.
Scenario milestone under the IEA Net Zero Emissions pathway.
Scenario milestone; installed capacity is not annual electricity consumption.
The 2050 value is scenario-based, not a current observed rate.
Efficiency, operating cost and lifetime savings
| Example efficiency | Annual electricity use | Annual energy cost | 18-year energy cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23.5 SEER2, best available | 5,222 kWh | $575 | $8,922 |
| 15.2 SEER2, ENERGY STAR | 8,074 kWh | $889 | $13,793 |
| 13.4 SEER2, less efficient | 9,159 kWh | $1,008 | $15,646 |
Source: DOE FEMP residential central air-conditioner guidance.
- In DOE’s hot-humid/Southeast example, a best-available 23.5-SEER2 central air conditioner used 5,222 kWh and cost $575 annually (2024 guidance assumptions; U.S. hot-humid/Southeast states).
(Purchasing Energy-Efficient Residential Central Air…)
* The ENERGY STAR example unit at 15.2 SEER2 used 8,074 kWh and cost $889 annually in the same DOE scenario (2024 guidance assumptions; U.S. hot-humid/Southeast states).
(Purchasing Energy-Efficient Residential Central Air…)
* The less-efficient 13.4-SEER2 example used 9,159 kWh and cost $1,008 annually in the same DOE scenario (2024 guidance assumptions; U.S. hot-humid/Southeast states).
(Purchasing Energy-Efficient Residential Central Air…)
* Over an 18-year life, DOE’s best-available example had $8,922 in energy cost (18-year modeled lifetime; U.S. hot-humid/Southeast states).
(Purchasing Energy-Efficient Residential Central Air…)
* Over an 18-year life, DOE’s ENERGY STAR example had $13,793 in energy cost (18-year modeled lifetime; U.S. hot-humid/Southeast states).
(Purchasing Energy-Efficient Residential Central Air…)
* Over an 18-year life, DOE’s less-efficient example had $15,646 in energy cost (18-year modeled lifetime; U.S. hot-humid/Southeast states).
(Purchasing Energy-Efficient Residential Central Air…)
* DOE estimated the required ENERGY STAR model could justify up to $1,853 in upfront premium over the less-efficient model through lifetime energy savings (2023 dollars; 18-year modeled lifetime; U.S. hot-humid/Southeast states).
(Purchasing Energy-Efficient Residential Central Air…)
* DOE estimated the best-available model’s lifetime energy-cost saving at $6,724 versus the less-efficient example (2023 dollars; 18-year modeled lifetime; U.S. hot-humid/Southeast states).
(Purchasing Energy-Efficient Residential Central Air…)
* In Thailand, IEA reported consumers could choose a 3 W/W low-efficiency or 6 W/W air conditioner at the same USD 350 budget in 2022 market data (2022 market data, reported in 2023).
(How does the hottest year…)
* The IEA Thailand example said the 6 W/W unit could almost halve the electricity bill and save up to USD 2,000 over its lifetime (2022 market data, reported in 2023).
(How does the hottest year…)
* In China, the share of room air conditioners exceeding minimum efficiency requirements rose from 19% to 56% by the end of 2021 after 2020 regulation changes (2020–2021).
FEMP assumes a 36,000 Btu/h unit operating 3,409 hours per year; modelled, not an observed household average.
FEMP example assumptions apply; levels reflect December 2024 criteria.
FEMP example assumptions apply; not a market-average operating cost.
FEMP life-cycle example; excludes installation, maintenance and other non-energy costs.
FEMP cost-effectiveness calculation uses its stated test method and energy-price assumptions.
FEMP calculation excludes installation, maintenance and replacement timing.
Wall-mounted single-split units normalized to 12,000 Btu/hour cooling capacity.
Illustrative lifetime estimate; bill and life depend on usage, tariffs and operating life.
IEA-cited market-share data for units exceeding minimum requirements; not all installed units.
Cooling demand, grid pressure and measured outcomes
- In India, 24% of households owned either an evaporative air cooler or an air conditioner in 2021.
(Can efficient cooling help manage…)
* India’s electricity consumption due to space cooling increased 21% between 2019 and 2022 (2019–2022).
(Can efficient cooling help manage…)
* Nearly 10% of India’s electricity demand came from space-cooling requirements in the IEA’s 2023 analysis.
(Can efficient cooling help manage…)
* In India, each 1°C increase in average daily temperature above 24°C was associated with about a 2% rise in electricity demand in May–June data (May–June summer data, analysis published 2023).
(Can efficient cooling help manage…)
* India’s hourly electricity demand on a June high-temperature day above 36°C maximum increased about 28% on average from 2019 to 2023 (2019 and 2023 June high-temperature days).
(Can efficient cooling help manage…)
* India’s peak electricity demand exceeded 220 GW on at least 13 days in August 2023, a 23% increase in the cited comparison.
(Can efficient cooling help manage…)
* Among people aged 65 and older, average annual heat-related deaths increased 61% between 2002–2004 and 2019–2021, reaching at least 300,000 deaths per year globally (Global people aged 65 and older).
(Sustainable, Affordable Cooling Can Save…)
* The estimated average annual number of heat-related deaths averted by air conditioning reached 190,000 during 2019–2021, three times the 2002–2004 level (2002–2004 and 2019–2021; Global population).
(Sustainable, Affordable Cooling Can Save…)
* In Texas, each 1°C increase in average daily temperature above 24°C drove about a 4% rise in electricity demand in IEA analysis (May–September 2019 and 2023 analysis; Texas, United States).
(How does the hottest year…)
* Cooling represented an estimated 9% of global electricity demand in the IEA’s 2023 analysis.
(How does the hottest year…)
* Space cooling can exceed 70% of peak residential electricity demand on hot days in parts of the Middle East and the United States (2023 analysis; Parts of the Middle East and United States).
Category combines evaporative coolers and air conditioners; not AC-only ownership.
Space cooling is an electricity-use category, not household spending.
IEA describes the current share approximately; not a tariff or consumer-cost measure.
Applies above 24°C and is not a causal household-cost estimate.
IEA attributes the increase largely to greater cooling-equipment ownership and other appliances.
Total peak demand, not cooling alone; 23% is the IEA-cited comparison context.
IEA/Yale/Lancet Countdown analysis; heat-health outcome, not an AC-attributable count.
Modeled AC-averted outcome, not a clinical trial.
Applies above 24°C and is not a direct household cooling-bill estimate.
Measures electricity demand, not expenditure.
Regional example, not a national annual average.