Assessing running costs when buying cooling systems
When making a decision about the type of system that you want to install, it’s good to know the approximate running costs of the cooling system that you’re going to use.
To get a definitive figure on the cooling costs for air conditioners, use the costs calculator at EnergyCut.info/aircon-ratings.
Meanwhile, here are Sustainability Victoria’s approximate costs for keeping cool.[1]
| Room size | Suitable cooler type | Energy Star rating | Annual energy cost* |
| Small room 10m squared | Electric split system air | 2.5 stars | $34.00 |
| conditioner 2.5kW output | 5 stars | $27.00 | |
| Portable or ceiling fan | N/A | $4.00 to $6.00 | |
| Medium room 35 m squared | Electric split system air | 1.5 stars | $86.00 |
| conditioner 5.5 kW output | 3 stars | $74.00 | |
| Portable or ceiling fan | N/A | $4.00 to $6.00 | |
| Large area 60m squared | Electric split system air | 1.5 stars | $125.00 |
| conditioner 8 kW output | 3 stars | $108.00 | |
| 2 portable or ceiling fans | N/A | $9.00 to $12.00 | |
| Small business premises | Ducted air conditioning | Standard efficiency | $383.00 |
| (equivalent in size to a home 166m squared) | (20kW (not zoned) | High efficiency | $349.00 |
| Ducted air conditioning | Standard efficiency | $287.00 | |
| (20kW (zoned) | High efficiency | $262.00 | |
| Evaporative cooling | Standard | $54.00 | |
| 16kW | Inverter | $37.00 | |
| 4 portable or ceiling fans | N/A | $19.00 to $24.00 | |
- 1. Source: EnergyCut.info/cooling-costs. Approximate cost per annum, based on 300 hours usage and a 60% duty cycle for air conditioners. Based on electricity tariff of 28c/kWh.