AC running cost in Wisconsin
A typical 2,000 sq ft Wisconsin home with average insulation and a 14 SEER2 central AC uses about 582 kWh a year for cooling: roughly $111, peaking in Jul at about $41.
At a glance
Wisconsin ranks 36th of 48 contiguous states for estimated yearly AC running cost. Its residential electricity price (19¢/kWh) is 4% higher than the U.S. average (18.19¢, EIA) and ranks 14th highest. Its climate brings 514 cooling degree days a year (37th most), so cooling demand is 53% lower than the 48-state average. Jul is the peak month, carrying about 37% of the year's AC cost; the meaningful cooling season runs May–Sep.
| Estimated yearly AC cost (2,000 sq ft, 14 SEER2) | $111 |
| Average across 48 contiguous states (unweighted) | $207 |
| Average residential price, July 2026 YTD | 19¢/kWh (U.S.: 18.19¢) |
| Single month, July 2026 | 19.06¢/kWh |
| Annual cooling degree days (NOAA, 1991–2020, base 65°F) | 514 (48-state avg 1,099) |
| Yearly savings, 18 vs 14 SEER2 | $25 |
We haven't verified utility-specific tariffs for Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 19.22¢ | 889 | $193 |
| Michigan | 21.53¢ | 579 | $141 |
| Iowa | 14.2¢ | 809 | $130 |
| Wisconsin | 19¢ | 514 | $111 |
| Minnesota | 16.25¢ | 456 | $84 |
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 | 0 | 0 | $0 |
| May | 27 | 31 | $6 |
| Jun | 106 | 120 | $23 |
| Jul ★ | 192 | 217 | $41 |
| Aug | 152 | 173 | $33 |
| Sep | 34 | 39 | $7 |
| Oct | 2 | 2 | $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 Wisconsin.
Yearly cooling cost by home size and SEER2
| Home | 13 SEER2 | 14 SEER2 | 16 SEER2 | 18 SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $71 | $66 | $58 | $52 |
| 1,600 sq ft | $95 | $88 | $77 | $69 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $119 | $111 | $97 | $86 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $149 | $138 | $121 | $107 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $179 | $166 | $145 | $129 |
Average insulation; 19¢/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.