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The average cost to run a window air conditioner is $1.50 to $2 per day. You'll pay more for bigger units or if you run it for more than eight hours per day. To optimize energy efficiency, ensure you get yearly AC inspections, only run your AC when you need to, and choose the right sized unit.

Running a window air conditioner to cool one small room costs less than $4 per day compared to using central air. Central air is probably more efficient if you use several units or need to cool a room 1,000 square feet or larger. Make sure you choose the right size since an AC that's too big uses more energy to achieve the same cooling effect and one that's too small has to work harder and use more energy to cool the space adequately.

Window AC units use about 12 to 17 kilowatt-hours per day on average. By comparison, a refrigerator needs 1 to 1.5 kilowatt-hours per day. You can make your window AC more efficient by doing the following:

• Running it when necessary

• Keeping the door closed so the cooled air doesn't escape to other areas of your home

• Cleaning the filters and coils

• Filling any gaps around the unit to prevent conditioned air from escaping outside

The most inexpensive window air conditioners typically cool spaces 150 square feet or smaller. Inexpensive products from popular brands like General Electric, LG, Whirlpool, or Frigidaire may be a reasonable investment. However, putting a small, budget-friendly unit in a large room wastes energy and shortens the life span of the AC since it has to draw more power and work much harder to cool the space, which consumes more energy and puts greater stress on the motor and other internal parts.

The best deals on window AC units come during the fall when businesses slash prices to clear out old inventory. You can also speak with your local AC installer, as they may be able to get you a good deal on a window AC unit since they have access to trade pricing. It's also worth shopping for discontinued products and flash sales around your local area.

Window AC repair costs between $110 and $390, with most people paying around $250. Parts typically cost between $2 and $150, and the rest of the cost goes toward labor, at around $30 per hour. The occasional one-off repair and a regular AC tuneup cost around $75 to $200. Servicing can keep your AC running in good condition for several more years before you need to pay for a replacement unit.