AC running cost in Utah
A typical 2,000 sq ft Utah home with average insulation and a 14 SEER2 central AC uses about 609 kWh a year for cooling: roughly $80, peaking in Jul at about $32.
At a glance
Utah ranks 40th of 48 contiguous states for estimated yearly AC running cost. Its residential electricity price (13.16¢/kWh) is 28% lower than the U.S. average (18.19¢, EIA) and ranks 45th highest. Its climate brings 538 cooling degree days a year (35th most), so cooling demand is 51% lower than the 48-state average. Jul is the peak month, carrying about 40% of the year's AC cost; the meaningful cooling season runs Jun–Sep.
| Estimated yearly AC cost (2,000 sq ft, 14 SEER2) | $80 |
| Average across 48 contiguous states (unweighted) | $207 |
| Average residential price, July 2026 YTD | 13.16¢/kWh (U.S.: 18.19¢) |
| Single month, July 2026 | 13.12¢/kWh |
| Annual cooling degree days (NOAA, 1991–2020, base 65°F) | 538 (48-state avg 1,099) |
| Yearly savings, 18 vs 14 SEER2 | $18 |
We haven't verified utility-specific tariffs for Utah 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 15.44¢ | 3,063 | $535 |
| Nevada | 13.53¢ | 2,166 | $332 |
| New Mexico | 15.08¢ | 1,004 | $171 |
| Utah | 13.16¢ | 538 | $80 |
| Idaho | 12.96¢ | 489 | $72 |
| Colorado | 16.72¢ | 329 | $62 |
| Wyoming | 13.95¢ | 278 | $44 |
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 | 1 | 2 | $0 |
| May | 15 | 17 | $2 |
| Jun | 86 | 97 | $13 |
| Jul ★ | 217 | 245 | $32 |
| Aug | 172 | 194 | $26 |
| Sep | 44 | 50 | $7 |
| Oct | 3 | 3 | $0 |
| 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 Utah.
Yearly cooling cost by home size and SEER2
| Home | 13 SEER2 | 14 SEER2 | 16 SEER2 | 18 SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $52 | $48 | $42 | $37 |
| 1,600 sq ft | $69 | $64 | $56 | $50 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $86 | $80 | $70 | $62 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $108 | $100 | $88 | $78 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $129 | $120 | $105 | $94 |
Average insulation; 13.16¢/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.