AC running cost in Colorado
A typical 2,000 sq ft Colorado home with average insulation and a 14 SEER2 central AC uses about 372 kWh a year for cooling: roughly $62, peaking in Jul at about $27.
At a glance
Colorado ranks 42nd of 48 contiguous states for estimated yearly AC running cost. Its residential electricity price (16.72¢/kWh) is 8% lower than the U.S. average (18.19¢, EIA) and ranks 19th highest. Its climate brings 329 cooling degree days a year (41st most), so cooling demand is 70% lower than the 48-state average. Jul is the peak month, carrying about 44% of the year's AC cost; the meaningful cooling season runs Jun–Sep.
| Estimated yearly AC cost (2,000 sq ft, 14 SEER2) | $62 |
| Average across 48 contiguous states (unweighted) | $207 |
| Average residential price, July 2026 YTD | 16.72¢/kWh (U.S.: 18.19¢) |
| Single month, July 2026 | 17¢/kWh |
| Annual cooling degree days (NOAA, 1991–2020, base 65°F) | 329 (48-state avg 1,099) |
| Yearly savings, 18 vs 14 SEER2 | $14 |
We haven't verified utility-specific tariffs for Colorado 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 15.44¢ | 3,063 | $535 |
| Oklahoma | 13.58¢ | 1,920 | $295 |
| Kansas | 15.21¢ | 1,458 | $251 |
| New Mexico | 15.08¢ | 1,004 | $171 |
| Nebraska | 12.9¢ | 996 | $145 |
| Utah | 13.16¢ | 538 | $80 |
| Colorado | 16.72¢ | 329 | $62 |
| Wyoming | 13.95¢ | 278 | $44 |
Same home (2,000 sq ft, average insulation, 14 SEER2) in each state.
Month by month
| Month | CDD | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Feb | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Mar | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Apr | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| May | 3 | 4 | $1 |
| Jun | 65 | 73 | $12 |
| Jul ★ | 143 | 162 | $27 |
| Aug | 95 | 108 | $18 |
| Sep | 22 | 25 | $4 |
| Oct | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Nov | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| Dec | 0 | 0 | $0 |
★ peak month.
Thinking about a new system? See AC replacement cost & savings by state and heat pump vs gas furnace in Colorado.
Yearly cooling cost by home size and SEER2
| Home | 13 SEER2 | 14 SEER2 | 16 SEER2 | 18 SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $40 | $37 | $33 | $29 |
| 1,600 sq ft | $54 | $50 | $44 | $39 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $67 | $62 | $54 | $48 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $84 | $78 | $68 | $60 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $100 | $93 | $82 | $73 |
Average insulation; 16.72¢/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.