An air conditioner for your living room will cost you an average of between 30 and 120 euros in electricity costs during the summer months, depending on how often you use the device and how warm it is outside. On top of that come the purchase costs of the device itself and the installation. In this article, we answer all the important questions about the cost of an air conditioner so that you can make an informed decision.

How much power does an air conditioner in the living room consume?

An average split-unit air conditioner for the living room consumes between 0,7 and 2,5 kilowatt-hours per hour, depending on the power of the unit and the setting. Modern air conditioners with a high energy label (A++ or higher) are significantly more energy-efficient than older models or cheaper portable variants.

Power consumption is determined by a number of factors:

The power of the air conditioner: A unit for a large living room needs more capacity than for a small room.
The energy label: An A+++ air conditioner consumes up to 40% less power than a model without a label.
The outside temperature: The hotter it is, the harder the air conditioning has to work.
The set temperature: A difference of 1 degree can already have a noticeable effect on consumption.
The insulation of your home: Poorly insulated homes require more cooling capacity.

Portable air conditioners generally consume more power than fixed split units because they operate less efficiently. If you are seriously considering purchasing an air conditioner, it is wise to air conditioning selection guide to use to determine the right capacity for your situation.

What are the average electricity costs of an air conditioner per summer?

With average use of three to four hours per day during the warm summer months, you will pay roughly between 40 and 100 euros in electricity per summer for a modern split-unit air conditioner in the living room. With intensive use or an older, less efficient air conditioner, those costs can rise to 150 euros or more.

To make this concrete: suppose you have an air conditioner with a consumption of 1,2 kWh per hour and you use it for an average of 4 hours per day for 90 days. That comes to approximately 432 kWh per summer. At an electricity price of around 0,25 euros per kWh (a realistic rate in 2026), you would pay about 108 euros. If you use the air conditioner more often or for longer periods, that amount increases accordingly.

It therefore pays to use your air conditioning consciously. Even small adjustments in usage can noticeably impact the annual electricity bill.

How much does it cost to buy an air conditioner for the living room?

The purchase costs of an air conditioner for the living room vary widely: a simple portable air conditioner starts at just a few hundred euros, while a high-quality fixed split-unit, including installation, quickly runs between 1.000 and 2.500 euros. The price depends on the brand, capacity, and energy label.

There are roughly three types of air conditioners for the living room:

Mobile air conditioner: cheap to purchase (200 to 600 euros), no installation required, but less efficient and often noisier
Monoblock air conditioner: Fixed unit that is mounted through the wall, purchase and installation together between 800 and 1.500 euros.
Split unit air conditioning: the most popular choice for living rooms, consisting of an indoor and outdoor unit, total costs including installation between 1.200 and 2.500 euros

Professional installation is mandatory for a split-unit system because it involves the use of refrigerant. This installation also includes drilling through the wall for the pipes, which requires expertise.

What other hidden costs does an air conditioner have?

In addition to the purchase price and power consumption, there are a number of additional costs that many people do not immediately consider. These include annual maintenance, potential repairs, and the costs of drilling through walls when installing a fixed unit.

The most common hidden costs are:

Annual maintenance: An air conditioner works best when the filters are cleaned regularly and the system is inspected annually by a technician; expect to pay 75 to 150 euros per year.
Repairs: In the event of a defect in the compressor or the refrigerant system, repair costs can quickly escalate.
Drilling and installation preparation: For a split unit, holes must be drilled in the wall for the pipes; this is a precision job that must be carried out professionally.
Higher heating costs in winter: Some people also use the air conditioner as a heat pump in the winter, which increases annual electricity consumption.
Replacement after a period of time: An air conditioner lasts 10 to 15 years on average; after that, replacement or a major overhaul is necessary.

Do you want to know what the total costs are for your situation? Via the pricing tool You quickly gain insight into what you can expect.

When is an air conditioner in the living room worthwhile?

An air conditioner in the living room is worthwhile if you experience several hot summers a year, sleep poorly due to the heat, or if you work from home and your productivity suffers from the heat. Moreover, for people with heat-sensitive health or young children in the house, an air conditioner is not a luxury but a real added value.

A few situations in which an air conditioner quickly pays for itself:

Your home has poor ventilation or little shade on the south side.
You work from home on a regular basis and need a comfortable working environment.
Your home is an apartment on a high floor, where heat accumulates.
You have already suffered from sleep problems due to the heat for several summers.

In less extreme situations, such as a well-insulated house with plenty of shade, alternatives like a good fan or sun protection may suffice. But if you endure the heat for weeks on end every year, a high-quality air conditioner pays for itself in terms of comfort and productivity.

How do you save on your air conditioning costs?

You can save significantly on your air conditioning costs by cooling smartly: set the temperature to 24 to 26 degrees instead of 20 degrees, use the air conditioner only during the hottest hours of the day, and ensure good sun protection so that the living room heats up less quickly.

More concrete money-saving tips:

Choose an air conditioner with a high energy label: The difference in consumption between an A+ and A+++ model is significant on an annual basis.
Use the timer: have the air conditioning turn off automatically when you sleep or leave the house
Keep doors and windows closed: Cool air escapes quickly if windows are open while cooling.
Clean the filters regularly: Dirty filters cause higher power consumption
Invest in sun protection: Exterior sun shading can reduce heat inflow by 70 to 80%, meaning the air conditioner doesn't have to work as hard.
Choose the right size: A device that is too small operates constantly at full power; a device that is too large keeps switching on and off, which is also inefficient.

With the right combination of an energy-efficient device and smart usage, you can significantly reduce the annual costs of your air conditioner.

How De Betonboorder helps with the installation of your air conditioner

When installing a fixed split-unit air conditioner, there is one aspect that many people underestimate: drilling through the wall for the pipes between the indoor and outdoor units. This must be done accurately and professionally to prevent damage to the structure and guarantee a neat finish. That is exactly where De Betonboorder comes in.

We drill precise holes in concrete, stone, or facades for the passage of air conditioning pipes.
We work with diamond core drills for a sleek, clean result without cracks or damage.
Our professionals leave the workplace tidy, so the installer can get to work immediately.
In many cases, we will be at your location within two working days.
We work throughout the Netherlands, for both private individuals and contractors.

Do you want to know what this means for your situation? Contact us and we ensure that your air conditioning installation runs smoothly from start to finish.

How much does an air conditioner cost to keep your living room cool all summer?