AC running cost in Alabama
A typical 2,000 sq ft Alabama home with average insulation and a 14 SEER2 central AC uses about 2,203 kWh a year for cooling: roughly $364, peaking in Jul at about $87.
At a glance
Alabama ranks 6th of 48 contiguous states for estimated yearly AC running cost. Its residential electricity price (16.54¢/kWh) is 9% lower than the U.S. average (18.19¢, EIA) and ranks 20th highest. Its climate brings 1,947 cooling degree days a year (7th most), so cooling demand is 77% higher than the 48-state average. Jul is the peak month, carrying about 24% of the year's AC cost; the meaningful cooling season runs Apr–Oct.
| Estimated yearly AC cost (2,000 sq ft, 14 SEER2) | $364 |
| Average across 48 contiguous states (unweighted) | $207 |
| Average residential price, July 2026 YTD | 16.54¢/kWh (U.S.: 18.19¢) |
| Single month, July 2026 | 16.4¢/kWh |
| Annual cooling degree days (NOAA, 1991–2020, base 65°F) | 1,947 (48-state avg 1,099) |
| Yearly savings, 18 vs 14 SEER2 | $81 |
We haven't verified utility-specific tariffs for Alabama yet, so this page uses the EIA statewide average. Your utility's rate may differ, so enter it in the calculator below.
Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B and Table 5.6.A; NOAA NCEI nClimDiv. Statewide averages hide large local differences.
Compared with neighboring states
| State | Price | CDD/yr | Yearly AC cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 15.3¢ | 3,579 | $620 |
| Mississippi | 15.19¢ | 2,181 | $375 |
| Alabama | 16.54¢ | 1,947 | $364 |
| Georgia | 15.4¢ | 1,725 | $301 |
| Tennessee | 13.87¢ | 1,416 | $222 |
Same home (2,000 sq ft, average insulation, 14 SEER2) in each state.
Month by month
| Month | CDD | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 11 | 13 | $2 |
| Feb | 8 | 10 | $2 |
| Mar | 31 | 35 | $6 |
| Apr | 50 | 57 | $9 |
| May | 192 | 218 | $36 |
| Jun | 364 | 412 | $68 |
| Jul ★ | 464 | 525 | $87 |
| Aug | 443 | 501 | $83 |
| Sep | 284 | 321 | $53 |
| Oct | 82 | 93 | $15 |
| Nov | 10 | 12 | $2 |
| Dec | 6 | 7 | $1 |
★ peak month.
Thinking about a new system? See AC replacement cost & savings by state and heat pump vs gas furnace in Alabama.
Yearly cooling cost by home size and SEER2
| Home | 13 SEER2 | 14 SEER2 | 16 SEER2 | 18 SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $235 | $219 | $191 | $170 |
| 1,600 sq ft | $314 | $291 | $255 | $227 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $392 | $364 | $319 | $283 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $490 | $455 | $398 | $354 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $589 | $547 | $478 | $425 |
Average insulation; 16.54¢/kWh.
AC monthly running cost calculator
| Month | Cooling degree days | kWh | Cost |
|---|
Price defaults to the state's EIA average residential price (July 2026 YTD); edit it to match your bill. Climate: NOAA state cooling degree days, 1991–2020 average. How this works.