Mini-split cost calculator
How Much Does a Mini-Split Cost to Run?
Estimate mini-split electricity cost using input power, daily run time, and your local electricity price.
Cost estimate
Calculate your electricity cost
Estimated energy use0 kWh/day
Estimated monthly energy0 kWh/month
Cost = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours used × electricity price.
Example
How the starting estimate works
At 1,000 watts for 8 hours per day, the starting example uses 8 kWh per day. Replace the wattage with an observed or rated input value for your system.
Real-world use
Inverter systems rarely stay at one power level.
Mini-splits modulate output as heating or cooling demand changes, so rated or maximum input power may overstate average draw. A smart meter or energy monitor can provide a better real-world average.
Variable-speed operation
A mini-split's input power can change continuously.
Many mini-splits use inverter-driven compressors. Instead of simply switching between full power and off, the system can reduce compressor speed when the room is close to its setpoint. That makes one fixed wattage less representative than it would be for a simple resistance heater.
The calculator is most useful when you enter a realistic average input power for the conditions you care about.
Heating and cooling conditions
Outdoor temperature changes the workload.
In cooling mode, hotter and more humid weather generally increases the heat the system must move. In heating mode, colder outdoor air can make the heat pump work harder and can reduce efficiency. Defrost cycles and supplemental resistance heat, when present, can also increase winter electricity use.
Zoning matters
Conditioning one zone is different from conditioning the whole house.
A mini-split can save energy when it lets you condition occupied rooms without maintaining the same temperature everywhere. But leaving several indoor heads running continuously can add up. For comparisons, estimate each zone's average input and runtime separately when possible.
See What Uses the Most Electricity in a Home? for broader household context.