hvac · 900W typical
Running a ductless mini-split costs about $26.73/month.
That's the typical ductless mini-split at 900W, run 12 hours a day at the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh. Change any of those and the number moves — use the calculator below to see yours.
Estimated cost
A ductless mini-split draws full power only while the thermostat/compressor is running — about 6.0 effective hours at 900W across your 12-hour window.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same ductless mini-split can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
primary heating/cooling
$26.73
per month
main HVAC for a single zone or small home
supplemental bedroom
$13.37
per month
adds independent climate control to a converted space
shoulder season
$8.91
per month
light cycling in spring or fall
Where you live
$48.44 spread between the cheapest and priciest states.
Same appliance, same hours of use, different zip code — the monthly cost varies this much.
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 41.2¢ | $66.74 | $812.05 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $50.87 | $618.89 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $49.90 | $607.07 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $46.49 | $565.68 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $45.20 | $549.91 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $39.85 | $484.87 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $39.37 | $478.95 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $36.13 | $439.53 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $35.80 | $435.59 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $34.83 | $423.77 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $31.27 | $380.40 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $30.94 | $376.46 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $29.81 | $362.66 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $29.32 | $356.75 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $28.84 | $350.84 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $28.19 | $342.95 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $27.86 | $339.01 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $27.38 | $333.10 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $26.89 | $327.19 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $26.41 | $321.27 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $25.60 | $311.42 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $25.43 | $309.45 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $25.27 | $307.48 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $24.95 | $303.53 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $24.62 | $299.59 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $24.62 | $299.59 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $24.46 | $297.62 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $23.98 | $291.71 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $23.98 | $291.71 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $23.81 | $289.74 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $23.81 | $289.74 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $23.65 | $287.77 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $23.00 | $279.88 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $22.84 | $277.91 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $22.52 | $273.97 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $22.03 | $268.06 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $21.71 | $264.11 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $21.55 | $262.14 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $21.38 | $260.17 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $21.22 | $258.20 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $21.22 | $258.20 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $20.57 | $250.32 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $20.09 | $244.40 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $19.76 | $240.46 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $19.60 | $238.49 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $19.60 | $238.49 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $19.28 | $234.55 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $18.79 | $228.64 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $18.63 | $226.67 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $18.47 | $224.69 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $18.31 | $222.72 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $578.16/year difference across the wattage range.
Swapping a high-draw model for an efficient one pays for itself. Here's what that looks like annually at typical usage.
Most efficient
800W
$23.76 per month
$289.08 per year
Typical
900W
$26.73 per month
$325.22 per year
High draw
2400W
$71.28 per month
$867.24 per year
When it hits hardest
year-round peak
Used for both heating and cooling; summer and winter usage can be roughly equal in moderate climates.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Use zone scheduling — only condition occupied rooms
Saves 20-40% vs. running a whole-house central system
- 2
Clean indoor filters every 2 weeks during heavy use
Keeps SEER2 rating near as-installed
- 3
Set to Auto mode so inverter runs at low speed most of the time
Inverter efficiency drops 15-20% when forced to cycle on/off
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi | MSZ-FS09NA (9,000 BTU) | 700W |
| Daikin | FTXS09LVJU (9,000 BTU) | 800W |
| LG | LS090HEV1 (9,000 BTU) | 750W |
Picks that actually move the needle
Three products worth comparing if you're thinking about upgrading or supplementing what you have.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy, we may earn a small commission — it never changes the price you pay, and we only recommend picks we would stand behind.
See also
Related appliances
Sources: www.energystar.gov · www.energy.gov
Last updated: 2026-04-13