What does a air conditioning (cooling) cost to run?
In New Zealand, a typical air conditioning (cooling) running at its typical daily hours costs around $56/month at the current national average rate of 40.6c/kWh. Most NZ heat pumps cool as well - use this row if you run yours in summer
Monthly cost
$56
national average
Annual cost
$667
12 months at current rate
Cost per hour of use
$0.61
nameplate wattage × rate
| Region | Rate | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Queenstown | 40.3c/kWh | $55 |
| Dunedin | 39.6c/kWh | $54 |
| Christchurch | 36.6c/kWh | $50 |
Frequently asked
How much does a air conditioning (cooling) cost to run in NZ?
At the national average electricity rate of 40.6c/kWh, a typical air conditioning (cooling) costs about $56 per month, or $667 per year. Actual costs vary by region and how heavily you use it.
Which NZ region has the cheapest air conditioning (cooling) running cost?
Of the five centres shown on this page, Christchurch is the cheapest at $50/month, and Queenstown is the most expensive at $55/month. The 30% spread reflects regional MBIE retail rates.