A common question for people considering an AC: what will it cost me in electricity? In this article we lay out the figures — for summer cooling, winter heating and everything in between. With example calculations for different room sizes.
Quick summary
- Cooling, single-split 2.5 kW: ~€0.17 per hour, €50–€150 per summer
- Heating, single-split 2.5 kW: ~€0.13 per hour, €400–€700 per winter
- Multi-split (3 rooms): 2–3× higher, but still €100–€350 per summer
The formula
An AC's consumption follows this formula:
Electricity cost per hour = (capacity in kW ÷ COP) × electricity price
The COP (Coefficient of Performance) says how many kWh of heating/cooling you get per 1 kWh of electricity. A COP of 4 means: for 1 kWh of electricity the AC delivers 4 kWh of effective cooling.
Cooling: what does it cost per hour?
A modern single-split AC with inverter has a cooling-mode COP of around 3.5–5.0. At €0.25 per kWh, cooling at full capacity costs:
| AC capacity | Electricity use/hour | Cost/hour |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 kW (bedroom) | 0.7 kWh | €0.17 |
| 3.5 kW (living room) | 1.0 kWh | €0.25 |
| 5.0 kW (large space) | 1.4 kWh | €0.35 |
| Multi-split 3 indoor units | ~2.1 kWh | €0.52 |
Good to know: these are maximum values. In practice an inverter AC often runs at low speed — averaging 30–50% less consumption. Plus you don't usually cool 24/7.
Cooling: what does it cost per summer?
A Dutch summer has roughly 50–100 genuinely hot days. At an average of 3–6 hours of cooling per day you'll reach:
| Home type | Usage | Cost per summer |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom (2.5 kW) | ~150 hours | €25 – €50 |
| Living room (3.5 kW) | ~250 hours | €60 – €120 |
| Multi-split whole home | ~300 hours | €150 – €300 |
An average household uses about €50–€150 in electricity for AC cooling per summer. A fair trade for comfortable sleep on tropical nights.
Heating: more efficient than cooling
Heating with an AC (air-to-air heat pump) is more efficient than cooling. SCOP is around 4.0–5.2 (vs. COP 3.5–5.0 for cooling). For an average Dutch winter you'll reach:
| Home type | Usage | Cost per winter |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom (supplementary heating) | ~500 hours | €65 – €130 |
| Living room (main heating alongside gas) | ~1,500 hours | €300 – €500 |
| Whole home (multi-split, no gas) | ~2,500 hours | €600 – €900 |
Important: these €600–€900 for whole-house heating compare to ~€1,500 you'd normally pay for gas. Net you save €500–€900 per year.
Factors that affect your consumption
1. Inverter vs. non-inverter
An inverter AC uses 25–30% less than an old-fashioned on/off AC. Nearly all modern ACs are inverters — read more in our guide on inverter technology.
2. Energy label
- A++: baseline
- A+++: 10–15% more efficient than A++
- A+ or worse: no longer sold in the EU
3. Outdoor temperature
For cooling: the hotter outside, the more electricity the AC needs. At 25°C outside it's more efficient than at 35°C.
For heating the reverse: on mild days (5–10°C) SCOP is highest. In severe frost (-10°C) efficiency drops.
4. Insulation and usage behaviour
A well-insulated home (label B+) uses significantly less. And: setting your AC to 21°C costs much less than 18°C. Per degree warmer (cooling) or cooler (heating) you save roughly 7% electricity.
Practical tips to reduce consumption
- Close windows and doors during use.
- Use curtains or sunshades against direct sunlight.
- Don't set temperature extreme — 23–24°C cooling is both comfortable and efficient.
- Use the timer — let it run at night or before you come home.
- Clean filters annually — clogged filters increase consumption 5–10%.
What if I have solar panels?
An AC running on solar power is almost free. If you can still use net metering (phasing out by 2027), an AC is an excellent way to "directly consume" your generated electricity — especially as sun and heat often coincide.
Conclusion
An AC costs relatively little electricity in practice: €50–€150 per summerfor cooling, €400–€900 per winter for heating. For heating it's even a net saving compared to gas. With solar panels it becomes almost free.
Want to know what it would cost at your home? Request a free quote. We'll produce a personal cost estimate based on your room size, insulation and expected use.