AC running cost in South Carolina
A typical 2,000 sq ft South Carolina home with average insulation and a 14 SEER2 central AC uses about 2,202 kWh a year for cooling: roughly $351, peaking in Jul at about $88.
At a glance
South Carolina ranks 7th of 48 contiguous states for estimated yearly AC running cost. Its residential electricity price (15.93¢/kWh) is 12% lower than the U.S. average (18.19¢, EIA) and ranks 23rd highest. Its climate brings 1,946 cooling degree days a year (8th most), so cooling demand is 77% higher than the 48-state average. Jul is the peak month, carrying about 25% of the year's AC cost; the meaningful cooling season runs May–Oct.
| Estimated yearly AC cost (2,000 sq ft, 14 SEER2) | $351 |
| Average across 48 contiguous states (unweighted) | $207 |
| Average residential price, July 2026 YTD | 15.93¢/kWh (U.S.: 18.19¢) |
| Single month, July 2026 | 15.47¢/kWh |
| Annual cooling degree days (NOAA, 1991–2020, base 65°F) | 1,946 (48-state avg 1,099) |
| Yearly savings, 18 vs 14 SEER2 | $78 |
We haven't verified utility-specific tariffs for South 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 |
Same home (2,000 sq ft, average insulation, 14 SEER2) in each state.
Month by month
| Month | CDD | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9 | 10 | $2 |
| Feb | 5 | 6 | $1 |
| Mar | 25 | 28 | $4 |
| Apr | 42 | 48 | $8 |
| May | 191 | 216 | $34 |
| Jun | 374 | 424 | $67 |
| Jul ★ | 488 | 553 | $88 |
| Aug | 447 | 506 | $81 |
| Sep | 273 | 309 | $49 |
| Oct | 75 | 85 | $14 |
| Nov | 9 | 10 | $2 |
| Dec | 6 | 7 | $1 |
★ peak month.
Thinking about a new system? See AC replacement cost & savings by state and heat pump vs gas furnace in South Carolina.
Yearly cooling cost by home size and SEER2
| Home | 13 SEER2 | 14 SEER2 | 16 SEER2 | 18 SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $227 | $210 | $184 | $164 |
| 1,600 sq ft | $302 | $281 | $246 | $218 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $378 | $351 | $307 | $273 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $472 | $439 | $384 | $341 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $567 | $526 | $460 | $409 |
Average insulation; 15.93¢/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.