AC wattage will have a sizable impact on your monthly electric bill during hot summer weather. The wattage figure refers simply to the amount of power any electrical device, including an air conditioner, consumes per hour. Wattage is the metric your local utility company utilizes to measure your monthly electrical consumption (in kilowatts per hour) and bill you accordingly.
Other electrical requirements also play a role in powering a central air conditioner. Central units typically require a special, dedicated, 240-volt circuit as opposed to the standard, household 120-volt circuit in order to supply the powerful system compressor located in the outside unit of a central system. This means the AC typically requires a dedicated circuit breaker to accommodate that larger voltage demand.
Square Feet and Tons
Generally speaking, a central air conditioner will use about 1,000 watts of electricity per ton of cooling capacity. The AC in a typical 2,000-square-foot, single-family residence is sized for the range of 3.5 tons of cooling. By that standard, the total AC wattage of the central unit will be around 3,500 watts. However, this AC wattage number isn’t written in stone. High ceilings, lots of sun exposure, inadequate insulation, and air leakage from the structure all contribute to higher wattage consumption of a central air conditioner and increased monthly operating costs.
Cycles Matter Too
It’s important to note that air conditioner wattage is not uniform at all times simply because the thermostat is in cooling mode. Since the compressor is the component consuming the most power, hourly wattage depends on how often the compressor cycles on and off during that time. In a home with proper insulation and effective air sealing, the compressor will usually run for about 15-minute intervals to maintain the temperature setting before it cycles off again. In between compressor cycles, air conditioner electrical consumption drops to only about 750 watts.
For more information about the relationship between AC wattage and your monthly energy costs, contact the professionals at Ace Hardware Home Services.
