HVAC watt usage directly impacts your electrical bill and carbon footprint. You may be paying more on your electricity bill than necessary if your air conditioner uses more watts of power than expected. It’s well worth it to learn about the average HVAC wattage of different cooling systems, why your system’s watt usage may increase, and ways of tracking watt usage.
How Much HVAC Wattage Should Your Air Conditioner Use?
Air conditioners use 500 to 4,000 watts per hour on average. The type of system you’re using determines the actual HVAC wattage used.
- Window AC units. These systems typically use 500 to 1,400 watts per hour.
- Portable AC units. On average, the watt-per-hour usage of portable units is 2,900 to 4,100.
- Mini-split air conditioners. On average, these systems use 700 to 2,000 watts per hour.
- Central AC systems. A central unit uses 1,000 watts per hour per ton of cooling capacity in cooling mode. Central air conditioners use approximately 750 watts per hour on the fan-only setting, regardless of their cooling capacity.
What Makes an Air Conditioner Use Too Much Wattage?
Loss of efficiency will lead to increased AC watt usage. Aging AC units lose efficiency over time. Your air conditioner also loses efficiency and uses more watts if you skip annual maintenance.
Short cycling will also cause your air conditioner to use more watts. Your AC system consumes the most power at the start of the cooling cycle. When cooling cycles are shorter than normal, your system will turn on and off more frequently, leading to heavy electricity consumption. A dirty air filter may also result in higher watt usage.
Tracking AC Watt Usage
A smart meter can show you the total watts your air conditioner uses per minute during its cooling cycle. A smart thermostat’s companion app also provides details of your system’s electricity usage. Comparing electricity bills can also indicate whether your air conditioner has increased its watt usage.
Remember, proper AC maintenance will help you avoid too much HVAC wattage. Contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning if you need any AC services, such as repairs and maintenance, in the Lorain area.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area