Window AC Running Cost on Con Edison: A 1-kWh Example

Use the window AC’s measured kWh and the Con Edison residential time-of-use delivery table to make a session estimate. The published summer peak delivery rate is $0.2786/kWh and off peak is $0.0522/kWh; the TOU plan also lists a $21 monthly charge. Read Con Edison’s TOU table.

A labeled session

Assume a plug meter records 1 kWh within a summer peak period. The delivery component is 1 × $0.2786 = $0.28. The same 1 kWh off peak is 1 × $0.0522 = $0.05. The timing difference is $0.2264, or about 23 cents, before supply, surcharges, taxes, and the monthly charge.

The 1-kWh input is hypothetical, not a claim about every window unit. A compressor cycles, so rated watts multiplied by hours can overstate or understate actual use. Measure the appliance if the decision matters.

Timing and supply

Con Edison’s residential summer delivery peak runs 8 a.m. to midnight; off peak covers overnight hours. Supply is a separate bill component. Con Edison’s market supply charge calculator requires account dates and zone, so do not treat delivery alone as the complete bill.

If a window unit can pre-cool before the peak period without creating comfort or moisture problems, compare the measured kWh moved. A 10-kWh shift would change the delivery arithmetic by 10 × ($0.2786 - $0.0522) = $2.26, still before omitted charges.

Decision

Use the current Con Edison plan and your measured load. The one-kWh example shows why timing matters, while the full monthly answer requires supply, surcharges, fixed charge, and actual compressor kWh. A product’s wattage label cannot establish a delivered bill without runtime.