How much does it cost to run a portable air conditioner, and how quickly does it cool a room? [Updated with August 2025 price cap]

2025 UPDATE: With us having a very warm warmth wave previously week, I believed it will be time to refresh my publish on the operating value of transportable aircon models.

This was initially written in 2021, when electrical energy was nonetheless comparatively low cost (I used to be paying lower than 14p/kWh). Occasions have modified, lockdowns lifted, and a battle began. I then up to date the article in Could 2022 when the variable charges had jumped to 28p/kWh.

Issues worsened; by October, it was predicted that costs would enhance by one other 80%, prompting the federal government to intervene with the Vitality Value Assure (EPG). Ultimately, the value cap per kWh peaked at 67.5p/kWh in January 2023.

Costs have dropped considerably since then, however it will appear that the times of low cost electrical energy are gone. As of July 2025, the value cap is 26p/kWh, and it’s value noting that the standing day by day cost is now 51.37p, whereas that is the most affordable it has been since 2023. Again in 2021, we have been paying lower than half of this.

Electrical energy Value Cap Historical past

Beneficial Transportable Air Conditioners

How a lot does a transportable air conditioner value to run?

The primary concern with air con is the associated fee to run it. The ability consumption will fluctuate relying on the cooling capability of the unit. This usually ranges from 1Kw to 1.3kW for air-con models rated from 9000 to 12000 BTU.

The Inventor Magic I used was rated at 1350W per hour for cooling. Precise utilization seems to fluctuate between 1100W and 1300W, and this appears to common out at 1200W whereas it’s operating full blast.

Value to run an air conditioner in 2025

Simply to make myself really feel a bit depressed, I’ve left the older tariff examples:

• 2021:
• 2022 (Could, Variable Tariffs)
  • Bulb: 28.0203p/kWh
  • British Fuel Commonplace Variable: 28.021p/kWh
• 2022 Vitality Value Assure (EPG): common worth of 0.3242p/kWh
• From July 2025:
  • Octopus: 26.61p/kWh
  • Standing Cost:47.89p

Based mostly on the above costs, in 2021 it was costing me 16.38p per hour to run, and in Could 2022, it will value 33.60p or a 105% worth enhance.

Based mostly on the charges I’m paying with Octopus in August 2025, it prices roughly 32p per hour to run.

Whereas the per-hour operating prices don’t look that unhealthy, this makes use of about the identical electrical energy by itself as the remainder of my home (other than after I cook dinner), and the prices will add up rapidly.

My total opinion hasn’t modified about them. If you happen to plan to go away certainly one of these on all day, then you might be in for a nasty time once you get your power assertion. After all, the aircon will swap off when it reaches the specified temperature (and again on), so that you is probably not operating it on a regular basis.

Air conditioners have been at all times costly to run, and being a tight-fisted northerner, I might by no means run one all day. Nonetheless, when it’s painfully sizzling exterior, and my workplace is touching 30 levels, or my bed room is 23+ levels, I feel spending slightly below £1 operating an air-con for 3 hours continues to be value it. They’re very noisy anyway, so I’d want to have them operating as little as potential.

How rapidly does an air-con cool a room?

It will rely on the cooling capability of the aircon.

After I used the Inventor Magic with a 12000 BTU cooling capability it was capable of cut back the temperature in my workplace from 27 levels to 21 levels in 2 hours quarter-hour, and it used 2.5kW of electrical energy.

My workplace is 4.5m x 3.5m and is 2.5m excessive, so simply shy of 30m3.

I ended up sending that aircon again, because it was too massive for me to retailer wherever and my home windows open from the underside which makes making a seal tough.

I later reviewed the EcoFlow Wave 2, which is compact with a 5100 BTU cooling capability. This isn’t designed for dwelling use however for off-grid residing like caravans, boats and vans. Nonetheless, the 5100 BTU cooling capability is simply sufficient for the spare bed room I sleep in after I battle to get to sleep. That is 2.5m extensive, 4.5m lengthy, and a couple of.5m excessive and I needed to create a makeshift window seal and vent utilizing some cardboard.

With this aircon, I’m able to cool my small room from 25 levels to 19 levels in about 3 hours or so. Because of the decrease cooling capability, it solely attracts about 400W (it’s rated as much as 500W).

How loud are transportable air conditioners?

Actually fairly loud. After I reviewed the Inventor Magic, I didn’t have an correct sound meter, however utilizing my cellphone, it learn 40-50 dB with the air-con simply off to the facet of me. It’s formally rated at 54 / 54.3 / 54.5 dB(A) for low, medium and excessive.

The sound profile isn’t too unhealthy. It isn’t high-pitched and simply seems like a fan at excessive pace. I can deal with it being switched on within the workplace, however there isn’t any probability on the earth I might go to sleep with it on.

The Ecoflow Wave 2 is rated at 48dB for eco, 52dB for sleeping mode and 58dB. Subjectively however confidently, I might say it’s considerably quieter than the Inventor Magic. I feel some firms are a bit beneficiant relating to noise stage readings.

With the Ecoflow Wave 2, it’s nonetheless too loud to sleep with, and the Eco mode isn’t highly effective sufficient to maintain the room cool all through the evening.

I, subsequently, cool my bed room to make it straightforward to get to sleep, then use a fan for the remainder of the evening.

How massive are air con models?

They clearly fluctuate so much relying on their score. The Inventor Magic 12000BTU is among the higher-rated fashions on the market and, subsequently, bodily massive.

It’s in all probability about as tall and extensive as an under-counter fridge however much less deep. It weighs 35 kg, so it wasn’t all that enjoyable carrying it up the steps on my own. If you happen to hold it on the identical ground, it isn’t too unhealthy as it’s curler wheels on it.

The Ecoflow Wave 2 isn’t small, however it’s a way more handy dimension and weight (14.5 Kg)

How straightforward is becoming a transportable air conditioner hose via a UK uPVC window?

Becoming a transportable air conditioner hose via a UK uPVC window is mostly easy, particularly with the precise equipment — however, from expertise, there are just a few sensible quirks to think about relying in your precise window type.

The Inventor Magic 12000BTU comes with a home windows package, however this seems to be for sash home windows (the normal home windows that slide up).

I’ve uPVC home windows which are top-hung, which is, subsequently, not suitable. There are numerous kits you should purchase on Amazon, that are bits of material with zip and velcro that stick across the gaps within the window. From my temporary expertise with them, they’re a bit garbage, and I’m very sceptical of the massive variety of Amazon critiques a few of them have. Sadly, this looks like the very best resolution, definitely for non permanent use.  It’s removed from best, and they’re fairly ugly, however it’s what it’s.

For me, I resorted to a makeshift resolution with a big piece of cardboard to cowl your entire window then holes reduce to suit the air vents. I’m contemplating getting another person to redo this in both wooden or an acrylic sheet.

Sash Home windows (Vertical Sliding)

• Simple: The panel and even only a strip of froth is wedged vertically between the higher and decrease sash, then you definitely shut the window onto it.
• Moderately safe and efficient at holding heat air out, although the panel can often rattle if not wedged tightly.

Aspect-Hung Casement Home windows (Outward Opening)

• Fairly straightforward for many floor ground/regular home windows.
• The panel is positioned alongside the underside (or facet), the window is closed onto it, and also you seal any remaining gaps, typically with supplied foam.
• Some home windows don’t open extensive sufficient to get a panel in, or have restrictors/baby locks; in that case, a versatile foam seal is your finest wager.

Tilt-and-Flip or High-Hung Home windows

• Extra fiddly: These don’t at all times open far sufficient for a inflexible panel, so that you typically should rely purely on a “sock-style” cloth seal or foam, which isn’t as tidy or as thermally efficient.

Actual-World Points and Suggestions

• Panel match is rarely excellent out-of-the-box — I at all times should trim or modify the package. Typically, UK home windows are only a bit shorter/taller than the included panels, so that you would possibly find yourself with gaps that want filling with further foam or a towel.
• Safety: Becoming a hose out the window means the window should keep open barely. This is usually a concern for ground-floor rooms. I like to recommend utilizing a restrictor or lock to forestall the window opening additional.
• UPVC High quality: Some very low cost or previous uPVC frames flex underneath strain from the panel or once you shut the window onto them, doubtlessly inflicting drafts. Use loads of foam and don’t overtighten.
• Injury danger: If you happen to’re cautious, there’s minimal danger, however heavy-handed becoming or wedging can harm beading or scratch mushy UPVC. Most kits are light on the body, however keep away from sharp-edged panel cuts.

The best way to vent a transportable air conditioner with out a window

In some conditions, you could not be capable of vent the air out of a window. I’ve a small field room I wish to convert right into a single bed room when I’ve household over, and it will be impractical to vent out of the window. Sadly, there’s probably not a simple possibility:

1. Vent By an Exterior Door

• Sliding doorways are the simplest: Match a common sliding door vent package to the hole, which seals across the hose and stops heat air blowing again in. These are widespread on-line and set up in minutes.
• Swinging doorways are trickier: You’ll be able to reduce a sheet of plexiglass or plastic to dimension, match it within the door opening with the hose inserted, after which block up the remainder of the hole with weather-stripping or draught excluder.

2. Use an Present Vent

• When you have a tumble dryer vent or related wall vent, you possibly can typically adapt this with a hose coupler — I’ve beforehand used a tumble dryer wall plate with only a little bit of DIY ingenuity (duct tape and a clamp).

3. Vent By a Wall

• Becoming a correct wall vent is probably the most everlasting and hassle-free resolution for those who’re planning to make use of the A/C long-term. You’ll have to core drill a gap (often 125–150mm, much like a tumble dryer vent), match a louvre or vent cap exterior, and seal it up. This works nicely and appears tidy, however it’s a correct job, typically finest left to professionals.

4. Vent right into a Ceiling Void or Loft

• You’ll be able to route the hose via a ceiling tile or entry hatch, out into unused attic area (not best — that warmth nonetheless has to go someplace, so that you danger warming the loft, however it works brief time period in a pinch).

5. Venting right into a Rest room Extractor

• I’ve seen individuals briefly duct a hose into a toilet extractor or previous vent fan opening. That is solely value contemplating if it really connects exterior and may deal with the airflow (most can’t, however some older followers have massive louvres).

What To not Do

• Don’t simply blow the new air into one other indoor area — it defeats the purpose and raises temperatures elsewhere.
• Don’t vent right into a “container” — warmth will rapidly fill it and pump straight again into your room.
• Keep away from venting into shared indoor areas like hallways or cabinets, because it simply migrates the warmth and may mess up humidity.

Different Suggestions

• At all times seal the vent opening as tightly as potential; leaky gaps massively cut back cooling efficiency.
• For studios or leases, search for detachable vent kits or adapt non permanent options with plastic/board so that you don’t harm property.

• [Original Post] twentieth July 2021
• [Updated] twentieth Could 2022 – Reflecting elevated power costs.
• [Updated] fifteenth June 2023 – Reflecting the power worth cap that begins from July 2023.
• [Updated] fifteenth August 2025 – Reflecting the power worth cap that began in July 2025.

I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the Editor and Proprietor of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Enthusiastic about all issues know-how, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cell, wearables, and good dwelling gadgets.

As a health fanatic who loves operating and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related know-how, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My numerous pursuits permit me to deliver a novel perspective to tech running a blog, merging life-style, health, and the newest tech tendencies.

In my educational pursuits, I earned a BSc in Info Techniques Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior research additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the know-how curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has persistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many high know-how blogs within the UK. With my dedication to know-how and drive to share my insights, I intention to proceed offering my readers with partaking and informative content material.

Final replace on 2025-08-15 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photographs from Amazon Product Promoting API