AC running cost in Ohio
A typical 2,000 sq ft Ohio home with average insulation and a 14 SEER2 central AC uses about 897 kWh a year for cooling: roughly $168, peaking in Jul at about $55.
At a glance
Ohio ranks 30th of 48 contiguous states for estimated yearly AC running cost. Its residential electricity price (18.7¢/kWh) is 3% higher than the U.S. average (18.19¢, EIA) and ranks 15th highest. Its climate brings 792 cooling degree days a year (28th most), so cooling demand is 28% lower 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) | $168 |
| Average across 48 contiguous states (unweighted) | $207 |
| Average residential price, July 2026 YTD | 18.7¢/kWh (U.S.: 18.19¢) |
| Single month, July 2026 | 19.45¢/kWh |
| Annual cooling degree days (NOAA, 1991–2020, base 65°F) | 792 (48-state avg 1,099) |
| Yearly savings, 18 vs 14 SEER2 | $37 |
We haven't verified utility-specific tariffs for Ohio 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 14.27¢ | 1,228 | $198 |
| Indiana | 17.04¢ | 911 | $176 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.04¢ | 706 | $168 |
| Ohio | 18.7¢ | 792 | $168 |
| Michigan | 21.53¢ | 579 | $141 |
| 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 | 1 | 2 | $0 |
| May | 62 | 70 | $13 |
| Jun | 164 | 185 | $35 |
| Jul ★ | 258 | 292 | $55 |
| Aug | 218 | 247 | $46 |
| Sep | 82 | 92 | $17 |
| Oct | 7 | 7 | $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 Ohio.
Yearly cooling cost by home size and SEER2
| Home | 13 SEER2 | 14 SEER2 | 16 SEER2 | 18 SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $108 | $101 | $88 | $78 |
| 1,600 sq ft | $144 | $134 | $117 | $104 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $181 | $168 | $147 | $130 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $226 | $210 | $183 | $163 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $271 | $251 | $220 | $196 |
Average insulation; 18.7¢/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.