AC running cost in North Carolina
A typical 2,000 sq ft North Carolina home with average insulation and a 14 SEER2 central AC uses about 1,665 kWh a year for cooling: roughly $249, peaking in Jul at about $70.
At a glance
North Carolina ranks 15th of 48 contiguous states for estimated yearly AC running cost. Its residential electricity price (14.94¢/kWh) is 18% lower than the U.S. average (18.19¢, EIA) and ranks 32nd highest. Its climate brings 1,472 cooling degree days a year (12th most), so cooling demand is 34% higher than the 48-state average. Jul is the peak month, carrying about 28% of the year's AC cost; the meaningful cooling season runs May–Sep.
| Estimated yearly AC cost (2,000 sq ft, 14 SEER2) | $249 |
| Average across 48 contiguous states (unweighted) | $207 |
| Average residential price, July 2026 YTD | 14.94¢/kWh (U.S.: 18.19¢) |
| Single month, July 2026 | 15.16¢/kWh |
| Annual cooling degree days (NOAA, 1991–2020, base 65°F) | 1,472 (48-state avg 1,099) |
| Yearly savings, 18 vs 14 SEER2 | $55 |
We haven't verified utility-specific tariffs for North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 15.93¢ | 1,946 | $351 |
| Georgia | 15.4¢ | 1,725 | $301 |
| North Carolina | 14.94¢ | 1,472 | $249 |
| Tennessee | 13.87¢ | 1,416 | $222 |
| Virginia | 16.83¢ | 1,129 | $215 |
Same home (2,000 sq ft, average insulation, 14 SEER2) in each state.
Month by month
| Month | CDD | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2 | 3 | $0 |
| Feb | 1 | 1 | $0 |
| Mar | 10 | 12 | $2 |
| Apr | 17 | 19 | $3 |
| May | 125 | 142 | $21 |
| Jun | 296 | 335 | $50 |
| Jul ★ | 414 | 469 | $70 |
| Aug | 367 | 416 | $62 |
| Sep | 195 | 221 | $33 |
| Oct | 39 | 44 | $7 |
| Nov | 2 | 2 | $0 |
| Dec | 2 | 2 | $0 |
★ peak month.
Thinking about a new system? See AC replacement cost & savings by state and heat pump vs gas furnace in North Carolina.
Yearly cooling cost by home size and SEER2
| Home | 13 SEER2 | 14 SEER2 | 16 SEER2 | 18 SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $161 | $149 | $131 | $116 |
| 1,600 sq ft | $214 | $199 | $174 | $155 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $268 | $249 | $218 | $194 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $335 | $311 | $272 | $242 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $402 | $373 | $327 | $290 |
Average insulation; 14.94¢/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.