BTU to kWh Cooling Cost Calculator

Take the guesswork out of cooling bills. Enter a system's BTU/h capacity, efficiency, runtime, and utility rates to convert BTU to kWh, estimate demand charges, and quantify the monthly operating cost and emissions of your AC or heat pump.

Enter the system's rated sensible cooling capacity in BTU per hour.
All-in electricity price including supply, delivery, and riders.
Estimated run hours for the month at the load you selected.
Seasonal efficiency of the unit. Leave blank to assume SEER 16.
Utility demand fee applied to the peak kilowatt draw for the billing cycle.
Use your grid's emission factor to estimate carbon impact (leave blank for 0.92 lb/kWh).

Estimates only—check your utility statement and equipment data plate for precise billing.

Examples

  • 36,000 BTU/h central AC, SEER 16, $0.18/kWh, 120 hours ⇒ 2.25 kWh per hour, 270.00 kWh per month, $48.60 energy cost, $0 demand
  • 24,000 BTU/h mini-split, SEER 20, $0.22/kWh, 200 hours, $12/kW demand ⇒ 1.20 kWh per hour, 240.00 kWh monthly, $52.80 energy + $14.40 demand = $67.20

FAQ

How do I estimate BTU/h if I only know tons?

Multiply tons by 12,000 to convert to BTU/h. For example, a 3-ton unit outputs roughly 36,000 BTU/h.

Can I compare heating COP with this tool?

Yes—set SEER to the heating-season COP×3.412 to approximate BTU per Wh in heat-pump mode and evaluate winter energy use.

What if my utility has time-of-use rates?

Run the calculator for each rate period with its own hours and demand charge, then sum the subtotals for a blended monthly view.

How should I handle multi-stage or variable-speed equipment?

Use the average BTU/h output at the load you expect. For variable-speed systems, input the design-day BTU/h and adjust hours to reflect part-load operation.

Additional Information

  • SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) expresses BTU output per watt-hour—higher values mean lower kWh consumption.
  • Quick tonnage check: divide BTU/h by 12,000 to get tons, then multiply tons by 0.7–1.2 kW depending on equipment efficiency.
  • Demand charges apply to the highest 15- or 30-minute average load each month; even short peaks can add to the bill.
  • Multiply monthly kWh by your grid's emissions factor to estimate carbon impact for sustainability reporting.

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