How Much Electricity does AC Use? Save Power & Money Wisely!

When the summer season strikes, it’s common for users to switch to the air conditioner for getting relief from the heat. Even in Bangladesh, as the heat rises everyday during these summer days, a simple fan is just a mere escape from this unbearing heat. And eventually an AC becomes a wise choice to ensure relaxation. But for how long? While these large machines do provide essential comfort, many consumers might become concerned about the electricity bills. 

That is why understanding how much electricity will be consumed is crucial for making informed decisions about your usage, selecting the right model & branded ac, and managing cost effectively. And if you are wondering how power consumption works? Well, it can vary depending on the unit’s capacity, technology type, temperature settings and daily usage hours. 

By knowing these factors, you can better estimate your expenses and take steps to reduce everyday unnecessary usage. Today’s article will guide you to understand how AC electricity consumption works, and calculate the cost of it in a simple manner. Without waiting longer, let’s dive in:

Understanding AC Power Consumption in Bangladesh

As you have already learned on top, an air conditioner’s electricity bill usually depends on several factors: its cooling capacity, energy efficiency, temperature settings, and most importantly how long it is turned on or runs throughout the day. And when it comes to user queries like AC price in Bangladesh, most users tend to go for either 1 ton, 1.5 ton, and 2 ton units. 

There’s also other factors, like cooling capacity, power consumption and ideal room size, which gives you an overall idea about which AC is right for you depending on those factors. Now, let’s find out how much watts each of type of AC consumes in a simple table down below:

AC Capacity (Tons)	Cooling Capacity (BTU/h)	Typical Power Consumption (Watts)	Ideal Room Size (sq. ft.)	Suitable Room
1 Ton	~12,000 BTU/h	1,000 – 1,200 W	90 – 140 sq. ft.	Best for small bedrooms or study rooms. Lower power draw if inverter type.
1.5 Ton	~18,000 BTU/h	1,200 – 1,800 W	140 – 200 sq. ft.	Ideal for medium bedrooms or small living rooms. Inverter models save more energy.
2 Ton	~24,000 BTU/h	1,800 – 2,500 W	200 – 300 sq. ft.	Good for large living rooms, halls, or office spaces.

If the above table is a bit confusing for you, let’s find out what they really mean and how do you understand them.

• Cooling Capacity (BTU/h): Might sound a bit cool, actually they measure how much heat the AC can remove from a room in an hour. While keeping the room cooler by removing the existing inner heat.

• Power Consumption (Watts): This is the factor which actually gives you an understanding of the power you are consuming when you turn on the AC of your room. This is the amount of electricity the AC uses when running. Inverter models usually consume less at part load.

• Ideal Room Size: Some might not think at first, but it’s very wise to think about the room the AC is going to be in, before you make that final purchase. Because matching the right AC size to your room prevents overworking the unit or wasting energy.

• Important to Note: It’s important to remember that actual consumption depends on factors like temperature setting, insulation quality, outdoor temperature, and usage habits.

Read More: Best 1.5 Ton Air Conditioners

How to Calculate AC Electricity Bill in BD

When you look at everyday life in Bangladeshi users, an air conditioner is one of the biggest contributors for household electricity bills, especially during those hot times in summer seasons. And as a result many people run their AC for hours without realizing how much the bill is costing them each month. That is why understanding how to calculate AC electricity consumption will help you make an informed decision, reduce extra wastage and above all keep power costs under control. 

The process is pretty simple, you just need to know your AC’s wattage, how many hours it runs, and the current electricity rate. In Bangladesh, residential electricity rates typically range between 8 taka to 10 taka per kilowatt-hour (kWh). And the basic formula is given down below:

The basic formula for estimating electricity cost is:

Electricity cost = (Wattage ÷ 1000) × Hours used × Cost per unit

For 1-TON AC:

In Bangladesh, the cost per unit varies slightly by provider, but for residential use, it’s usually around Tk 8–10 per kWh.

If you use a smaller AC like a 1 ton AC, then see the calculation down below:

• Wattage: 1,200 watts (1.2 kW)
• Daily Use: 6 hours
• Unit Cost: Tk 9 per kWh (Approx)

Calculation:
1.2 × 6 = 7.2 kWh/day
7.2 × 9 = Tk 64.8/day
Monthly = Tk 1,944

For 1.5-TON AC:

If you use a little bigger AC, like for example a 1.5Ton, then see the calculation down below:

• Wattage: 1,500 watts (1.5 kW)
• Daily Use: 8 hours
• Unit Cost: Tk 9 per kWh (Approx)

Calculation:
1.5 kW × 8 hours = 12 kWh/day
12 × Tk 9 = Tk 108/day
Monthly (30 days) = Tk 3,240 (108×30)

For 2-TON AC:

If it’s a matter of the larger variant of AC which usually users purchase for their large rooms, like a 2 Ton AC. Here’s it’s calculation down below

• Wattage: 2,400 watts (2.4 kW)
• Daily Use: 6 hours
• Unit Cost: Tk 12.67 per kWh (falls in 401–600 units slab)

Calculation:
> 2.4× 6= 14.4kWh/day
> 14.4×12.67 = Tk 182.45/day
> Monthly (30 days) = Tk 5,473.5/month (182.45×30)

Pro tip: Check your AC’s energy efficiency ratio (EER) or ISEER rating. Higher ratings mean lower consumption for the same cooling effect.

**Please note: the data used in these calculations above was prepared by Bangladesh Gadget on February 29,2024, and electricity rates may have changed since then. If you’re reading this in 2025 or 2026 then you can use it as a reference and check the latest tariffs before estimating your cost.**

Read More: Air Conditioner Buying Guide

AC Electricity Cost Rising? These Factors Might Be to Blame

After understanding a few cost calculations of your ACs you might be wondering, the cost is really high right? Sometimes it is high due to the government’s pre-set charge. But other times the AC electricity consumption cost is higher due to lack of our personal awareness. Let’s understand few factors down below in a simple table format:

Factor	Why It Increases Cost	Impact
Lower temperature setting	Compressor runs longer to reach colder temperatures	Even 1–2°C lower can raise bills significantly
Poor insulation	Heat enters easily, forcing AC to cool more often	Increases daily runtime and energy use
Dirty filters	Restricted airflow reduces cooling efficiency	Compressor works harder, raising electricity consumption
Running during peak afternoon heat	Hotter air outside means AC runs continuously	Leads to the highest daily electricity costs

AC Bill Minimizing Tips: Easy Changes That Save Big!

Most of the time users don’t focus much when they turn on the AC at their home. I mean, very few users worry about the day to day AC electricity bills in Bangladesh until it’s the last minute. And when the expenses become very high, it’s not a good expression you expect. That is why keeping tabs on your AC’s electricity bills is ideal and also knowing  little hacks to make the bills come lesser is useful. Here’s few ways you can reduce ACs electricity bills down below:

1. Keep the temperature 24-26°C

When you keep your ACs temperature between 24° to 26° celsius. This range is comfortable for most people and saves up to 20% energy compared to much lower temperatures like 18 to 20°C.

2. Choose Inverter AC

Some people rush to buy an AC, but what they don’t see is whether the AC is inverter or non-inverter. It’s wise to choose an inverter AC, as inverter technology adjusts compressor speed to match cooling demand, avoiding frequent start-stop cycles.

Read More: Inverter vs Non-Inverter AC

3. Close Doors and Windows

It’s very wise to close the room and windows properly. Even if you notice a minor gap in the door or window, make sure you close it as well to ensure quality cooling. As it prevents warm air from entering the room and cool air from escaping, it’s as simple as that.

4. Clean Filters Regularly

This might not affect you much in the first few months of the purchase. But when the time goes by, it becomes a major issue for your home air conditioners. Because dusty filters of your AC reduce the actual airflow and make the AC work much harder than it does normally. It is wise to clean the AC every 2-4 weeks during those peak use.

5. Avoid Overcooling

It’s obvious we are always paying less attention to these machines. Remember to always turn off the ACs of your room, whether it’s home or work when you are not around. You can also do that by using a timer function. And if you don’t do that, the cost might be much higher than your regular usage. That is why sometimes due to lack of our monitoring, the electricity cost of AC becomes higher.

Final Thoughts

Well that was all for today guys. I guess with today’s blog, you have understood a few of the basic ways to calculate how much electricity your air conditioner consumes. I have given you some simple factors that should make you aware how different types of AC consumes your precious electricity bills. There are also useful facts about how you can minimize those eye popping bills without making a lot of fuss. Just a gentle reminder of being aware of these tips mentioned above might come in handy. As always stay tuned to Apple Gadgets Blog page to remain up to date about daily tech lifestyle & shop from Apple Gadgets online store.