How much does it cost to run a swamp cooler?
EIA data · June 2026About $15.62 a month at the U.S. average price of 18.34¢ per kilowatt-hour — but that figure moves a long way depending on where you live. Set your state below.
85.2 kWh a month at the U.S. average, 18.34¢/kWh for June 2026. Excludes fixed charges, taxes and time-of-use rates, which vary by utility and are on your bill.
Typical 150–700 W. Use the figure on your own label if you have it.
An evaporative cooler sits mid-table at #18 of 88, which means something else in the house costs more. See whether heating & cooling or something else drives your bill.
This is one of the appliances big enough to move a bill on its own. What usually drives a bill that jumped.
How many watts an evaporative cooler uses
Evaporative coolers run a fan and a small water pump, typically 150–500 W combined for portable and window units, and up to 700 W for whole-house models. There is no compressor, which is why the figure is far below air conditioning.
- Low
- 150 W
- Typical
- 350 W
- High
- 700 W
What it costs across the country
Same appliance, same usage, different electricity price. Annual cost at 350 W and the default usage above.
| State | ¢/kWh | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 52.72 | $539 |
| California | 34.74 | $355 |
| Massachusetts | 29.61 | $303 |
| New York | 29.49 | $301 |
| Ohio | 19.19 | $196 |
| Texas | 15.94 | $163 |
| Florida | 15.10 | $154 |
| Utah | 13.37 | $137 |
| Nebraska | 13.25 | $135 |
| Nevada | 13.11 | $134 |
Worth knowing
- An evaporative cooler uses a fraction of the electricity of a comparable air conditioner, because it evaporates water rather than compressing refrigerant.
- It only works in dry air. In humid climates it adds moisture without cooling and makes the room feel worse.
- It needs a window open to exhaust humid air, which is the opposite of how air conditioning is run.
Other appliances
- Space heater
- Central air conditioner
- Window air conditioner
- Dehumidifier
- Ceiling fan
- Electric blanket
- Heat pump
- Electric baseboard heater
Prices are statewide residential averages for June 2026 from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. They exclude fixed monthly charges, taxes and time-of-use rates. See how these figures are calculated.