Cost to Run a Evaporative Cooler
A swamp cooler for dry climates
Wattage
250W
Daily Usage
8h
Monthly Cost*
$10.33
Annual Cost*
$125.71
* At national average rate of 17.22¢/kWh
Cost to Run Evaporative Cooler by State
From cheapest (Idaho: $6.69/mo) to most expensive (Hawaii: $25.91/mo).
| # | State | Rate | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho | 11.15¢ | $6.69 | $81.40 |
| 2 | Washington | 11.26¢ | $6.76 | $82.20 |
| 3 | Utah | 11.41¢ | $6.85 | $83.29 |
| 4 | Wyoming | 11.72¢ | $7.03 | $85.56 |
| 5 | North Dakota | 12.43¢ | $7.46 | $90.74 |
| 6 | Louisiana | 12.52¢ | $7.51 | $91.40 |
| 7 | Oregon | 12.55¢ | $7.53 | $91.62 |
| 8 | Montana | 12.81¢ | $7.69 | $93.51 |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 12.82¢ | $7.69 | $93.59 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 12.91¢ | $7.75 | $94.24 |
| 11 | Arkansas | 13.04¢ | $7.82 | $95.19 |
| 12 | Nebraska | 13.08¢ | $7.85 | $95.48 |
| 13 | Kentucky | 13.19¢ | $7.91 | $96.29 |
| 14 | West Virginia | 13.44¢ | $8.06 | $98.11 |
| 15 | Mississippi | 13.54¢ | $8.12 | $98.84 |
| 16 | South Dakota | 13.74¢ | $8.24 | $100.30 |
| 17 | Missouri | 13.78¢ | $8.27 | $100.59 |
| 18 | North Carolina | 14.09¢ | $8.45 | $102.86 |
| 19 | Georgia | 14.27¢ | $8.56 | $104.17 |
| 20 | South Carolina | 14.43¢ | $8.66 | $105.34 |
| 21 | Virginia | 14.64¢ | $8.78 | $106.87 |
| 22 | Arizona | 14.78¢ | $8.87 | $107.89 |
| 23 | Alabama | 14.87¢ | $8.92 | $108.55 |
| 24 | Nevada | 14.92¢ | $8.95 | $108.92 |
| 25 | Delaware | 14.94¢ | $8.96 | $109.06 |
| 26 | Texas | 15.06¢ | $9.04 | $109.94 |
| 27 | Iowa | 15.14¢ | $9.08 | $110.52 |
| 28 | Ohio | 15.21¢ | $9.13 | $111.03 |
| 29 | Kansas | 15.28¢ | $9.17 | $111.54 |
| 30 | New Mexico | 15.34¢ | $9.20 | $111.98 |
| 31 | Indiana | 15.42¢ | $9.25 | $112.57 |
| 32 | Colorado | 15.56¢ | $9.34 | $113.59 |
| 33 | Minnesota | 15.63¢ | $9.38 | $114.10 |
| 34 | Florida | 16.22¢ | $9.73 | $118.41 |
| 35 | Illinois | 16.27¢ | $9.76 | $118.77 |
| 36 | Maryland | 16.57¢ | $9.94 | $120.96 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | 17.38¢ | $10.43 | $126.87 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | 18.36¢ | $11.02 | $134.03 |
| 39 | New Jersey | 18.48¢ | $11.09 | $134.90 |
| 40 | Michigan | 19.34¢ | $11.60 | $141.18 |
| 41 | Vermont | 21.43¢ | $12.86 | $156.44 |
| 42 | Alaska | 24.21¢ | $14.53 | $176.73 |
| 43 | New York | 24.33¢ | $14.60 | $177.61 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | 25.78¢ | $15.47 | $188.19 |
| 45 | Maine | 26.37¢ | $15.82 | $192.50 |
| 46 | Rhode Island | 28.08¢ | $16.85 | $204.98 |
| 47 | Massachusetts | 28.58¢ | $17.15 | $208.63 |
| 48 | Connecticut | 29.98¢ | $17.99 | $218.85 |
| 49 | California | 31.22¢ | $18.73 | $227.91 |
| 50 | Hawaii | 43.18¢ | $25.91 | $315.21 |
Energy Saving Tips for Evaporative Cooler
- Set your thermostat to 78F when home and higher when away to reduce cooling costs by 10-15%.
- Use ceiling fans to create a wind-chill effect, allowing you to raise the thermostat by 4F.
- Keep blinds and curtains closed during peak sun hours.
- Ensure proper insulation and seal air leaks around windows and doors.
- Schedule regular maintenance to keep your cooling system running efficiently.
- Consider upgrading to an Energy Star rated model for 15-20% energy savings.
Related Cooling Appliances
Frequently Asked Questions
How much electricity does a Evaporative Cooler use?
A typical Evaporative Cooler uses 250 watts and runs about 8 hours per day, consuming 2.00 kWh daily.
How much does it cost to run a Evaporative Cooler per month?
At the national average electricity rate of 17.22¢/kWh, running a Evaporative Cooler costs approximately $10.33 per month.
Where is it cheapest to run a Evaporative Cooler?
Idaho has the lowest cost at $6.69/month, while Hawaii is the most expensive at $25.91/month.
Was this data helpful?
Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)