Cost to Run Evaporative Cooler in Virginia (2026)
At Virginia's average rate of 14.64¢/kWh, running a Evaporative Cooler costs $8.78/month or $106.87/year. That's 15% less than the national average of $10.33/month.
Monthly Cost
$8.78
in Virginia
Yearly Cost
$106.87
in Virginia
State Rate
14.64¢
per kWh
National Rank
#21
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 |
Virginia vs National Average: Evaporative Cooler Costs
| Metric | Virginia | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity Rate | 14.64¢/kWh | 17.22¢/kWh | -2.58¢ |
| Monthly Evaporative Cooler Cost | $8.78 | $10.33 | $-1.55 |
| Yearly Evaporative Cooler Cost | $106.87 | $125.71 | $-18.83 |
Evaporative Cooler Cost in Neighboring States
How does running a Evaporative Cooler in Virginia compare to nearby states?
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly | vs VA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia (this state) | 14.64¢ | $8.78 | $106.87 | - |
| Kentucky | 13.19¢ | $7.91 | $96.29 | $-0.87 |
| Maryland | 16.57¢ | $9.94 | $120.96 | +$1.16 |
| North Carolina | 14.09¢ | $8.45 | $102.86 | $-0.33 |
| Tennessee | 12.91¢ | $7.75 | $94.24 | $-1.04 |
| West Virginia | 13.44¢ | $8.06 | $98.11 | $-0.72 |
Evaporative Cooler Cost: All 50 States Ranked
Virginia ranks #21 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 Virginia
- Set your thermostat to 78F when home to reduce Evaporative Cooler 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 Evaporative Cooler efficiency in Virginia.
- Look for Energy Star certified Evaporative Cooler models that use 10-50% less energy than standard models.
- Consider installing solar panels in Virginia to offset your Evaporative Cooler electricity costs.
- Check if your Virginia 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
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to run a Evaporative Cooler in Virginia?
Running a Evaporative Cooler in Virginia costs approximately $8.78 per month or $106.87 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 Evaporative Cooler expensive in Virginia compared to other states?
Virginia ranks #21 out of 50 states for Evaporative Cooler running costs (1 = cheapest). It's 15% cheaper 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 Virginia?
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 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.
Was this data helpful?
Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)