Cost to Run Central Air Conditioner in Virginia (2026)
At Virginia's average rate of 14.64¢/kWh, running a Central Air Conditioner costs $122.98/month or $1,496.21/year. That's 15% less than the national average of $144.65/month.
Monthly Cost
$122.98
in Virginia
Yearly Cost
$1,496.21
in Virginia
State Rate
14.64¢
per kWh
National Rank
#21
of 50 states
Central Air Conditioner Energy Usage
| Wattage | 3,500 watts |
| Typical Daily Use | 8 hours/day |
| Daily kWh | 28.00 kWh |
| Monthly kWh | 840.0 kWh |
| Category | Cooling |
Virginia vs National Average: Central Air Conditioner Costs
| Metric | Virginia | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity Rate | 14.64¢/kWh | 17.22¢/kWh | -2.58¢ |
| Monthly Central Air Conditioner Cost | $122.98 | $144.65 | $-21.67 |
| Yearly Central Air Conditioner Cost | $1,496.21 | $1,759.88 | $-263.68 |
Central Air Conditioner Cost in Neighboring States
How does running a Central Air Conditioner in Virginia compare to nearby states?
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly | vs VA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia (this state) | 14.64¢ | $122.98 | $1,496.21 | - |
| Kentucky | 13.19¢ | $110.80 | $1,348.02 | $-12.18 |
| Maryland | 16.57¢ | $139.19 | $1,693.45 | +$16.21 |
| North Carolina | 14.09¢ | $118.36 | $1,440.00 | $-4.62 |
| Tennessee | 12.91¢ | $108.44 | $1,319.40 | $-14.53 |
| West Virginia | 13.44¢ | $112.90 | $1,373.57 | $-10.08 |
Central Air Conditioner Cost: All 50 States Ranked
Virginia ranks #21 out of 50 for Central Air Conditioner running costs (1 = cheapest).
| # | State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho | 11.15¢ | $93.66 | $1,139.53 |
| 2 | Washington | 11.26¢ | $94.58 | $1,150.77 |
| 3 | Utah | 11.41¢ | $95.84 | $1,166.10 |
| 4 | Wyoming | 11.72¢ | $98.45 | $1,197.78 |
| 5 | North Dakota | 12.43¢ | $104.41 | $1,270.35 |
| 6 | Louisiana | 12.52¢ | $105.17 | $1,279.54 |
| 7 | Oregon | 12.55¢ | $105.42 | $1,282.61 |
| 8 | Montana | 12.81¢ | $107.60 | $1,309.18 |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 12.82¢ | $107.69 | $1,310.20 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 12.91¢ | $108.44 | $1,319.40 |
| 11 | Arkansas | 13.04¢ | $109.54 | $1,332.69 |
| 12 | Nebraska | 13.08¢ | $109.87 | $1,336.78 |
| 13 | Kentucky | 13.19¢ | $110.80 | $1,348.02 |
| 14 | West Virginia | 13.44¢ | $112.90 | $1,373.57 |
| 15 | Mississippi | 13.54¢ | $113.74 | $1,383.79 |
| 16 | South Dakota | 13.74¢ | $115.42 | $1,404.23 |
| 17 | Missouri | 13.78¢ | $115.75 | $1,408.32 |
| 18 | North Carolina | 14.09¢ | $118.36 | $1,440.00 |
| 19 | Georgia | 14.27¢ | $119.87 | $1,458.39 |
| 20 | South Carolina | 14.43¢ | $121.21 | $1,474.75 |
| 21 | Virginia | 14.64¢ | $122.98 | $1,496.21 |
| 22 | Arizona | 14.78¢ | $124.15 | $1,510.52 |
| 23 | Alabama | 14.87¢ | $124.91 | $1,519.71 |
| 24 | Nevada | 14.92¢ | $125.33 | $1,524.82 |
| 25 | Delaware | 14.94¢ | $125.50 | $1,526.87 |
| 26 | Texas | 15.06¢ | $126.50 | $1,539.13 |
| 27 | Iowa | 15.14¢ | $127.18 | $1,547.31 |
| 28 | Ohio | 15.21¢ | $127.76 | $1,554.46 |
| 29 | Kansas | 15.28¢ | $128.35 | $1,561.62 |
| 30 | New Mexico | 15.34¢ | $128.86 | $1,567.75 |
| 31 | Indiana | 15.42¢ | $129.53 | $1,575.92 |
| 32 | Colorado | 15.56¢ | $130.70 | $1,590.23 |
| 33 | Minnesota | 15.63¢ | $131.29 | $1,597.39 |
| 34 | Florida | 16.22¢ | $136.25 | $1,657.68 |
| 35 | Illinois | 16.27¢ | $136.67 | $1,662.79 |
| 36 | Maryland | 16.57¢ | $139.19 | $1,693.45 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | 17.38¢ | $145.99 | $1,776.24 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | 18.36¢ | $154.22 | $1,876.39 |
| 39 | New Jersey | 18.48¢ | $155.23 | $1,888.66 |
| 40 | Michigan | 19.34¢ | $162.46 | $1,976.55 |
| 41 | Vermont | 21.43¢ | $180.01 | $2,190.15 |
| 42 | Alaska | 24.21¢ | $203.36 | $2,474.26 |
| 43 | New York | 24.33¢ | $204.37 | $2,486.53 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | 25.78¢ | $216.55 | $2,634.72 |
| 45 | Maine | 26.37¢ | $221.51 | $2,695.01 |
| 46 | Rhode Island | 28.08¢ | $235.87 | $2,869.78 |
| 47 | Massachusetts | 28.58¢ | $240.07 | $2,920.88 |
| 48 | Connecticut | 29.98¢ | $251.83 | $3,063.96 |
| 49 | California | 31.22¢ | $262.25 | $3,190.68 |
| 50 | Hawaii | 43.18¢ | $362.71 | $4,413.00 |
Save Money on Central Air Conditioner in Virginia
- Set your thermostat to 78F when home to reduce Central Air Conditioner cooling costs by 10-15% in Virginia.
- Use ceiling fans alongside your cooling system to feel cooler at higher thermostat settings.
- Keep blinds and curtains closed during peak sun hours to reduce cooling load.
- Seal air leaks around windows and doors to maximize Central Air Conditioner efficiency in Virginia.
- Look for Energy Star certified Central Air Conditioner models that use 10-50% less energy than standard models.
- Consider installing solar panels in Virginia to offset your Central Air Conditioner electricity costs.
- Check if your Virginia utility offers time-of-use rates and run your Central Air Conditioner during off-peak hours.
- Ensure proper maintenance of your Central Air Conditioner to keep it running at peak efficiency.
Related Pages
More about Virginia
More about Central Air Conditioner
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to run a Central Air Conditioner in Virginia?
Running a Central Air Conditioner in Virginia costs approximately $122.98 per month or $1,496.21 per year, based on the state's average residential rate of 14.64¢/kWh and typical usage of 8 hours per day.
Is running a Central Air Conditioner expensive in Virginia compared to other states?
Virginia ranks #21 out of 50 states for Central Air Conditioner running costs (1 = cheapest). It's 15% cheaper than the national average. The cheapest state is Idaho at $93.66/month, and the most expensive is Hawaii at $362.71/month.
How much electricity does a Central Air Conditioner use per month?
A typical Central Air Conditioner uses 3500 watts and runs about 8 hours per day, consuming approximately 28.00 kWh daily or 840.0 kWh per month.
How can I reduce Central Air Conditioner electricity costs in Virginia?
You can reduce costs by using an Energy Star rated Central Air Conditioner, running it during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use rates, ensuring proper maintenance, and considering solar panels to offset electricity costs in Virginia.
What is the electricity rate in Virginia?
The average residential electricity rate in Virginia is 14.64¢ per kWh. The primary energy source is Natural Gas, with 11.0% from renewable sources.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)