AC running cost in Delaware
A typical 2,000 sq ft Delaware home with average insulation and a 14 SEER2 central AC uses about 1,291 kWh a year for cooling: roughly $231, peaking in Jul at about $77.
At a glance
Delaware ranks 17th of 48 contiguous states for estimated yearly AC running cost. Its residential electricity price (17.86¢/kWh) is 2% lower than the U.S. average (18.19¢, EIA) and ranks 16th highest. Its climate brings 1,141 cooling degree days a year (17th most), so cooling demand is 4% higher than the 48-state average. Jul is the peak month, carrying about 33% of the year's AC cost; the meaningful cooling season runs May–Sep.
| Estimated yearly AC cost (2,000 sq ft, 14 SEER2) | $231 |
| Average across 48 contiguous states (unweighted) | $207 |
| Average residential price, July 2026 YTD | 17.86¢/kWh (U.S.: 18.19¢) |
| Single month, July 2026 | 18.48¢/kWh |
| Annual cooling degree days (NOAA, 1991–2020, base 65°F) | 1,141 (48-state avg 1,099) |
| Yearly savings, 18 vs 14 SEER2 | $51 |
We haven't verified utility-specific tariffs for Delaware 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 21.3¢ | 1,140 | $275 |
| New Jersey | 23.98¢ | 859 | $233 |
| Delaware | 17.86¢ | 1,141 | $231 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.04¢ | 706 | $168 |
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 | 1 | $0 |
| Apr | 2 | 2 | $0 |
| May | 59 | 67 | $12 |
| Jun | 223 | 253 | $45 |
| Jul ★ | 380 | 430 | $77 |
| Aug | 322 | 364 | $65 |
| Sep | 137 | 155 | $28 |
| Oct | 17 | 19 | $3 |
| 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 Delaware.
Yearly cooling cost by home size and SEER2
| Home | 13 SEER2 | 14 SEER2 | 16 SEER2 | 18 SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $149 | $138 | $121 | $108 |
| 1,600 sq ft | $199 | $184 | $161 | $143 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $248 | $231 | $202 | $179 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $310 | $288 | $252 | $224 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $372 | $346 | $303 | $269 |
Average insulation; 17.86¢/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.