All articles · 2026-10-07

AC star ratings and your electricity bill: what it really costs

ఏసీ స్టార్ రేటింగ్ మరియు కరెంటు బిల్లు: ఎంత ఖర్చవుతుంది?

What the star rating tells you

The energy label shows how efficiently the AC cools. More stars mean it uses less electricity for the same cooling. The label also shows an efficiency figure (ISEER) and often an estimated yearly energy use. Rating rules are updated from time to time, so compare stars only between ACs labelled in the same year.

A simple bill formula

1. Units used = watts x hours per day x days / 1000
2. Cost = units x your price per unit

Worked example (illustrative numbers only)

Assume an AC averages 1,000 watts while running, for 8 hours a night, for 30 days, and your tariff is Rs 7 per unit.

Your numbers will differ. Real power use depends on room, weather, temperature setting and the AC model. Use your own tariff from your electricity bill, and the figures on the label.

Ways to lower the bill

• Set the temperature to a comfortable level, many guides suggest 24 to 26 degrees C.
• Use sleep or eco mode at night.
• Clean the filters regularly.
• Close doors and windows, and shade the room from direct sun.

When a higher star rating is worth it

Compare the extra purchase price with the yearly saving shown by the labels. The more hours you run the AC, the faster a higher rating pays back. See inverter vs non-inverter AC.