AC running cost in New York
A typical 2,000 sq ft New York home with average insulation and a 14 SEER2 central AC uses about 700 kWh a year for cooling: roughly $206, peaking in Jul at about $80.
At a glance
New York ranks 20th of 48 contiguous states for estimated yearly AC running cost. Its residential electricity price (29.38¢/kWh) is 62% higher than the U.S. average (18.19¢, EIA) and ranks 4th highest. Its climate brings 618 cooling degree days a year (31st most), so cooling demand is 44% lower than the 48-state average. Jul is the peak month, carrying about 39% of the year's AC cost; the meaningful cooling season runs Jun–Sep.
| Estimated yearly AC cost (2,000 sq ft, 14 SEER2) | $206 |
| Average across 48 contiguous states (unweighted) | $207 |
| Average residential price, July 2026 YTD | 29.38¢/kWh (U.S.: 18.19¢) |
| Single month, July 2026 | 29.9¢/kWh |
| Annual cooling degree days (NOAA, 1991–2020, base 65°F) | 618 (48-state avg 1,099) |
| Yearly savings, 18 vs 14 SEER2 | $46 |
We haven't verified utility-specific tariffs for New York 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 23.98¢ | 859 | $233 |
| New York | 29.38¢ | 618 | $206 |
| Connecticut | 27.97¢ | 607 | $192 |
| Massachusetts | 30.14¢ | 516 | $176 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.04¢ | 706 | $168 |
| Vermont | 23.95¢ | 223 | $61 |
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 | 18 | 20 | $6 |
| Jun | 101 | 115 | $34 |
| Jul ★ | 240 | 271 | $80 |
| Aug | 199 | 225 | $66 |
| Sep | 58 | 65 | $19 |
| Oct | 3 | 3 | $1 |
| 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 New York.
Yearly cooling cost by home size and SEER2
| Home | 13 SEER2 | 14 SEER2 | 16 SEER2 | 18 SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $133 | $123 | $108 | $96 |
| 1,600 sq ft | $177 | $164 | $144 | $128 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $221 | $206 | $180 | $160 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $277 | $257 | $225 | $200 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $332 | $308 | $270 | $240 |
Average insulation; 29.38¢/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.