Cost to Run Evaporative Cooler in California (2026)
At California's average rate of 31.22¢/kWh, running a Evaporative Cooler costs $18.73/month or $227.91/year. That's 81.3% more than the national average of $10.33/month.
Monthly Cost
$18.73
in California
Yearly Cost
$227.91
in California
State Rate
31.22¢
per kWh
National Rank
#49
of 50 states
Evaporative Cooler Energy Usage
| Wattage | 250 watts |
| Typical Daily Use | 8 hours/day |
| Daily kWh | 2.00 kWh |
| Monthly kWh | 60.0 kWh |
| Category | Cooling |
California vs National Average: Evaporative Cooler Costs
| Metric | California | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity Rate | 31.22¢/kWh | 17.22¢/kWh | +14.00¢ |
| Monthly Evaporative Cooler Cost | $18.73 | $10.33 | +$8.40 |
| Yearly Evaporative Cooler Cost | $227.91 | $125.71 | +$102.20 |
Evaporative Cooler Cost in Neighboring States
How does running a Evaporative Cooler in California compare to nearby states?
Evaporative Cooler Cost: All 50 States Ranked
California ranks #49 out of 50 for Evaporative Cooler running costs (1 = cheapest).
| # | State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Save Money on Evaporative Cooler in California
- Set your thermostat to 78F when home to reduce Evaporative Cooler cooling costs by 10-15% in California.
- 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 Evaporative Cooler efficiency in California.
- Look for Energy Star certified Evaporative Cooler models that use 10-50% less energy than standard models.
- Consider installing solar panels in California to offset your Evaporative Cooler electricity costs.
- Check if your California utility offers time-of-use rates and run your Evaporative Cooler during off-peak hours.
- Ensure proper maintenance of your Evaporative Cooler to keep it running at peak efficiency.
Related Pages
More about California
More about Evaporative Cooler
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to run a Evaporative Cooler in California?
Running a Evaporative Cooler in California costs approximately $18.73 per month or $227.91 per year, based on the state's average residential rate of 31.22¢/kWh and typical usage of 8 hours per day.
Is running a Evaporative Cooler expensive in California compared to other states?
California ranks #49 out of 50 states for Evaporative Cooler running costs (1 = cheapest). It's 81.3% more expensive than the national average. The cheapest state is Idaho at $6.69/month, and the most expensive is Hawaii at $25.91/month.
How much electricity does a Evaporative Cooler use per month?
A typical Evaporative Cooler uses 250 watts and runs about 8 hours per day, consuming approximately 2.00 kWh daily or 60.0 kWh per month.
How can I reduce Evaporative Cooler electricity costs in California?
You can reduce costs by using an Energy Star rated Evaporative Cooler, 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 California.
What is the electricity rate in California?
The average residential electricity rate in California is 31.22¢ per kWh. The primary energy source is Natural Gas, with 38.0% from renewable sources.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)