AC running cost in Idaho
A typical 2,000 sq ft Idaho home with average insulation and a 14 SEER2 central AC uses about 553 kWh a year for cooling: roughly $72, peaking in Jul at about $30.
At a glance
Idaho ranks 41st of 48 contiguous states for estimated yearly AC running cost. Its residential electricity price (12.96¢/kWh) is 29% lower than the U.S. average (18.19¢, EIA) and ranks 46th highest. Its climate brings 489 cooling degree days a year (38th most), so cooling demand is 55% lower than the 48-state average. Jul is the peak month, carrying about 42% of the year's AC cost; the meaningful cooling season runs Jun–Sep.
| Estimated yearly AC cost (2,000 sq ft, 14 SEER2) | $72 |
| Average across 48 contiguous states (unweighted) | $207 |
| Average residential price, July 2026 YTD | 12.96¢/kWh (U.S.: 18.19¢) |
| Single month, July 2026 | 13.73¢/kWh |
| Annual cooling degree days (NOAA, 1991–2020, base 65°F) | 489 (48-state avg 1,099) |
| Yearly savings, 18 vs 14 SEER2 | $16 |
We haven't verified utility-specific tariffs for Idaho 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 13.53¢ | 2,166 | $332 |
| Utah | 13.16¢ | 538 | $80 |
| Idaho | 12.96¢ | 489 | $72 |
| Wyoming | 13.95¢ | 278 | $44 |
| Oregon | 15.4¢ | 232 | $40 |
| Montana | 13.95¢ | 197 | $31 |
| Washington | 14.4¢ | 183 | $30 |
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 | 11 | 13 | $2 |
| Jun | 58 | 66 | $9 |
| Jul ★ | 207 | 234 | $30 |
| Aug | 170 | 192 | $25 |
| Sep | 42 | 48 | $6 |
| 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 Idaho.
Yearly cooling cost by home size and SEER2
| Home | 13 SEER2 | 14 SEER2 | 16 SEER2 | 18 SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $46 | $43 | $38 | $33 |
| 1,600 sq ft | $62 | $57 | $50 | $45 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $77 | $72 | $63 | $56 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $96 | $90 | $78 | $70 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $116 | $108 | $94 | $84 |
Average insulation; 12.96¢/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.