Cost to run a room air conditioner in Tennessee
About $73.40 a year for a typical model, at the Tennessee average of 13.8 cents per kWh.
How Tennessee compares
The same room air conditioner costs $96.75 a year at the U.S. average rate, so in Tennessee you pay $23.35 less. See the Tennessee electricity rate for the full picture.
Efficient or high-use: the range in Tennessee
| Model type | kWh per year | Per year | Over 10 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient | 375 | $51.75 | $517.50 |
| Typical | 532 | $73.40 | $734.02 |
| High use | 900 | $124.20 | $1,242.00 |
Between the efficient and the high-use model, the difference in Tennessee adds up to about $724.50 over 10 years. Window and through-the-wall units.
Models that cost the least to run in Tennessee
| Model | Details | kWh per year | Cost per year in Tennessee |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK+DECKER BDM05C | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $35.94 |
| Brothers 102372 | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $35.94 |
| Frigidaire FHWC055TF1 | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $35.94 |
| Frigidaire FHWC056TF1 | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $35.94 |
| Midea MAW05R1KWT-B | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $35.94 |
| Midea MAW05R1VWBL-T | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $35.94 |
| Midea MAW05R1VWWT-T | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $35.94 |
| Midea MAW05S1KWT-A | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $35.94 |
| Midea MWEUWA-05CRFN8-BCN4 | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $35.94 |
| Noma 143-1378-6 | Window, 5000 btu/h | 260 | $35.94 |
See room air conditioners in all states
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a room air conditioner in Tennessee?
About $73.40 a year, or $6.12 a month, for a typical ENERGY STAR certified model that uses 532 kWh a year at the Tennessee average rate of 13.8 cents per kWh.
Is that more or less than in other states?
It is $23.35 a year less than the same room air conditioner at the U.S. average rate. Tennessee ranks 44 of 51 for electricity price, where 1 is the most expensive.
How much can an efficient room air conditioner save in Tennessee?
Over 10 years, a model in the most efficient 10% costs about $724.50 less to run in Tennessee than a model in the 10% that use the most, at today's rate.
Same room air conditioner, nearby in the ranking
Other appliances in Tennessee
- Refrigerators in Tennessee
- Mini fridges in Tennessee
- Freezers in Tennessee
- Dishwashers in Tennessee
- Clothes washers in Tennessee
- Clothes dryers in Tennessee
- Dehumidifiers in Tennessee
- Televisions in Tennessee
How we get these numbers: yearly electricity use comes from the ENERGY STAR certified product lists, measured with the federal test procedure. The rate is the average residential price the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports for each state, January to August 2026. Your own bill depends on your utility, your plan and how you use the appliance. See sources.