AC running cost in Texas
A typical 2,000 sq ft Texas home with average insulation and a 14 SEER2 central AC uses about 3,178 kWh a year for cooling: roughly $510, peaking in Aug at about $106.
At a glance
Texas ranks 3rd of 48 contiguous states for estimated yearly AC running cost. Its residential electricity price (16.06¢/kWh) is 12% lower than the U.S. average (18.19¢, EIA) and ranks 22nd highest. Its climate brings 2,809 cooling degree days a year (3rd most), so cooling demand is 156% higher than the 48-state average. Aug is the peak month, carrying about 21% of the year's AC cost; the meaningful cooling season runs Mar–Oct.
| Estimated yearly AC cost (2,000 sq ft, 14 SEER2) | $510 |
| Average across 48 contiguous states (unweighted) | $207 |
| Average residential price, July 2026 YTD | 16.06¢/kWh (U.S.: 18.19¢) |
| Single month, July 2026 | 15.88¢/kWh |
| Annual cooling degree days (NOAA, 1991–2020, base 65°F) | 2,809 (48-state avg 1,099) |
| Yearly savings, 18 vs 14 SEER2 | $113 |
We haven't verified utility-specific tariffs for Texas 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 16.06¢ | 2,809 | $510 |
| Louisiana | 13.35¢ | 2,696 | $407 |
| Oklahoma | 13.58¢ | 1,920 | $295 |
| Arkansas | 13.61¢ | 1,764 | $272 |
| New Mexico | 15.08¢ | 1,004 | $171 |
Same home (2,000 sq ft, average insulation, 14 SEER2) in each state.
Month by month
| Month | CDD | kWh | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17 | 19 | $3 |
| Feb | 23 | 26 | $4 |
| Mar | 70 | 79 | $13 |
| Apr | 124 | 141 | $23 |
| May | 307 | 347 | $56 |
| Jun | 484 | 548 | $88 |
| Jul | 582 | 658 | $106 |
| Aug ★ | 584 | 661 | $106 |
| Sep | 395 | 447 | $72 |
| Oct | 167 | 189 | $30 |
| Nov | 44 | 50 | $8 |
| Dec | 11 | 12 | $2 |
★ peak month.
Thinking about a new system? See AC replacement cost & savings by state and heat pump vs gas furnace in Texas.
Yearly cooling cost by home size and SEER2
| Home | 13 SEER2 | 14 SEER2 | 16 SEER2 | 18 SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $330 | $306 | $268 | $238 |
| 1,600 sq ft | $440 | $408 | $357 | $318 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $550 | $510 | $447 | $397 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $687 | $638 | $558 | $496 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $824 | $766 | $670 | $595 |
Average insulation; 16.06¢/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.