Air Cooler Electricity Calculator
(Units, Cost and an AC Comparison)
Enter the cooler's wattage, hours of use and electricity rate. Add an AC's units per hour to compare the two.
From the label or manual. It covers the fan and the pump together
From your bill, in your currency
Optional. From the AC's label: kWh per year ÷ 1,600, or its power input in kW
Cooler Running Cost
💡 Formula Guide
This air cooler electricity calculator turns a cooler's wattage into units and cost per day and month. Add an air conditioner's units per hour to see how much more the AC would cost for the same hours.
Units and Cost
| 200 W cooler, 10 hours a day | Units | Cost at 8 per unit |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | 0.2 | 1.60 |
| Per day | 2 | 16 |
| Per month (30 days) | 60 | 480 |
A cooler's motor and pump run at close to their rated power whenever they are on, so wattage × hours is a fair estimate at top speed. Two coolers simply double it.
Cooler or AC
Enter an AC's average units per hour to compare. If the AC's star label says 1,600 kWh a year, that is 1 unit an hour, because the label assumes about 1,600 hours of cooling a year. For 10 hours a day over 30 days the AC uses 300 units against the cooler's 60, a difference of 1,920 a month at 8 per unit.
The comparison is about cost, not comfort. A cooler adds moisture and cools best in dry heat, while an AC removes moisture and holds a set temperature. For the AC's own bill, use the AC Bill Calculator; for fans, the Fan Electricity Calculator.
How to Use the Air Cooler Electricity Calculator
- Enter the cooler's wattage: Use the power rating on the label or in the manual.
- Enter your usage: Type hours per day and days per month.
- Enter your rate: Type the price of one unit from your bill.
- Compare with an AC: Optional. Type the AC's units per hour to see the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many units does an air cooler use?
Divide its wattage by 1,000 to get units per hour. A 200 W cooler uses 0.2 units an hour, 2 units in 10 hours and 60 units in a 30-day month.
How much does it cost to run a cooler for a month?
At 60 units and 8 per unit, a 200 W cooler costs 480 a month running 10 hours a day.
Is a cooler cheaper than an AC?
Usually by a wide margin. In the same 10 hours a day, an AC averaging 1 unit an hour uses 300 units a month against the cooler's 60, so it costs 1,920 more at 8 per unit.
Does the water pump add much?
The pump is part of the cooler's rated power. If the label lists the fan and pump separately, add them together.
Does fan speed change the bill?
Yes. The rated wattage is for top speed; lower speeds draw less, so the calculator's figure is an upper estimate.
When does a cooler not work well?
Evaporative coolers cool by evaporating water, so they work best in hot, dry air. In humid weather they cool far less, and an AC or fan may be the only option.
Formulas and worked examples checked in October 2026.