AC running cost in Maryland
A typical 2,000 sq ft Maryland home with average insulation and a 14 SEER2 central AC uses about 1,290 kWh a year for cooling: roughly $275, peaking in Jul at about $90.
At a glance
Maryland ranks 12th of 48 contiguous states for estimated yearly AC running cost. Its residential electricity price (21.3¢/kWh) is 17% higher than the U.S. average (18.19¢, EIA) and ranks 11th highest. Its climate brings 1,140 cooling degree days a year (18th 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) | $275 |
| Average across 48 contiguous states (unweighted) | $207 |
| Average residential price, July 2026 YTD | 21.3¢/kWh (U.S.: 18.19¢) |
| Single month, July 2026 | 21.41¢/kWh |
| Annual cooling degree days (NOAA, 1991–2020, base 65°F) | 1,140 (48-state avg 1,099) |
| Yearly savings, 18 vs 14 SEER2 | $61 |
We haven't verified utility-specific tariffs for Maryland 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 |
| Delaware | 17.86¢ | 1,141 | $231 |
| Virginia | 16.83¢ | 1,129 | $215 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.04¢ | 706 | $168 |
| West Virginia | 15.47¢ | 803 | $141 |
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 | 1 | 1 | $0 |
| Apr | 3 | 4 | $1 |
| May | 69 | 79 | $17 |
| Jun | 228 | 258 | $55 |
| Jul ★ | 374 | 423 | $90 |
| Aug | 316 | 357 | $76 |
| Sep | 134 | 151 | $32 |
| Oct | 15 | 17 | $4 |
| 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 Maryland.
Yearly cooling cost by home size and SEER2
| Home | 13 SEER2 | 14 SEER2 | 16 SEER2 | 18 SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $178 | $165 | $144 | $128 |
| 1,600 sq ft | $237 | $220 | $192 | $171 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $296 | $275 | $240 | $214 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $370 | $343 | $300 | $267 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $444 | $412 | $361 | $320 |
Average insulation; 21.3¢/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.