AC Electricity Bill Calculator Bangladesh 2026

📅 Last Updated: June 8, 2026 · BERC June 2026 Rates

AC Electricity Bill Calculation Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Air conditioners (ACs) are essential for maintaining comfort during hot summer months, but they are also typically the largest consumers of electricity in a household.

Understanding how AC power consumption is calculated can help you manage your energy usage, estimate your monthly electricity bill, and make informed choices to save money. Use our Energy Calculator to find your total household consumption.

Key Factors Influencing AC Power Consumption

The amount of electricity your air conditioner uses is not static. It depends on several key technical and usage parameters:

• AC Capacity (Tonnage): AC cooling capacity is measured in Tons (e.g., 1.0 Ton, 1.5 Ton, 2.0 Ton). Generally, a larger capacity AC requires more power (watts) to operate. 1 Ton of cooling capacity roughly corresponds to peak power consumption of 1,200 watts (1.2 kW).
• Inverter vs. Non-Inverter Technology: Inverter ACs have variable-speed compressors. Once the target temperature is reached, the compressor runs at a lower speed rather than shutting off. This avoids high-current start-up spikes, saving 30% to 50% in energy compared to traditional Non-Inverter ACs that constantly switch on and off at full power.
• Energy Efficiency Star Rating: Rated by standards agencies, star ratings indicate how efficiently the AC converts electrical power to cooling. Higher star ratings (such as 4-star or 5-star) consume less power for the same cooling capacity compared to lower-rated models.
• Daily Running Hours: The number of hours you operate the AC each day directly multiplies the power draw to determine total monthly energy units.
• Room Insulation and Thermostat Setting: A room with air leaks or direct sunlight exposure requires the AC to run longer at peak power. Likewise, setting the temperature lower (e.g., 18°C instead of 25°C) forces the compressor to work continuously, significantly increasing electricity consumption.

How to Calculate AC Energy Consumption (kWh / Units)

Electricity bills are billed in Kilowatt-Hours (kWh), commonly referred to as "units". You can calculate your AC's monthly unit usage using simple mathematical steps:

To estimate the Average Power (kW) of your AC:

• Start with base power: Capacity (Tons) × 1.2 kW
• If it is an Inverter AC, multiply by 0.85 (accounting for low-power operation once stable).
• If it has a high-efficiency star rating (4 or 5 stars), multiply by 0.9 (extra 10% efficiency gain).

Example Estimation:

Let's calculate the consumption for a 1.5 Ton Inverter AC with a 5-Star Rating running for 8 hours a day:

• Base Power: 1.5 Tons × 1.2 kW = 1.8 kW (1,800 Watts peak power)
• Inverter Correction: 1.8 kW × 0.85 = 1.53 kW
• 5-Star Efficiency Correction: 1.53 kW × 0.9 = 1.377 kW (Estimated average running power)
• Daily Usage: 1.377 kW × 8 Hours = 11.02 kWh (Units) per day
• Monthly Usage: 11.02 kWh × 30 Days = 330.6 kWh (Units) per month

Step-by-Step AC Bill Calculation in Bangladesh (BERC 2026 Rates)

Once you know your monthly AC consumption in units (e.g., 331 units), you can calculate the exact cost in Taka using the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) tiered pricing structure for residential customers:

1. Bangladesh Residential Tariff Tiers:

• 0 - 75 units = 5.26 Taka/kWh
• 76 - 200 units = 8.50 Taka/kWh
• 201 - 300 units = 9.10 Taka/kWh
• 301 - 400 units = 9.62 Taka/kWh
• 401 - 600 units = 15.01 Taka/kWh
• Above 600 units = 17.35 Taka/kWh

2. Step-by-Step Cost Breakdown for 331 Units:

• Tiered Energy Cost Calculation:
  • First 75 units: 75 × ৳5.26 = ৳394.50
  • Next 125 units (76-200): 125 × ৳8.50 = ৳1,062.50
  • Next 100 units (201-300): 100 × ৳9.10 = ৳910.00
  • Remaining 31 units (301-331): 31 × ৳9.62 = ৳298.22
  • Total Energy Cost: 394.50 + 1,062.50 + 910.00 + 298.22 = ৳2,665.22
• Add Demand Charge: ACs generally require a minimum of 3 kW of meter/sanctioned load. At a rate of ৳42 per kW, the Demand Charge is:

  3 kW × ৳42 = ৳126.00

• Add Meter Rent: A fixed monthly charge, typically ৳40.00.
• Calculate VAT (5% on Energy Cost):

  ৳2,665.22 × 5% = ৳133.26

• Calculate Rebate (0.5% on Energy Cost): Bangladesh provides a 0.5% rebate on digital/timely payments.

  ৳2,665.22 × 0.5% = ৳13.33 (deducted)

• Total Monthly Cost:

  ৳2,665.22 + ৳126.00 + ৳40.00 + ৳133.26 - ৳13.33 = ৳2,951.15

AC Power Consumption & Cost Table (Quick Reference)

For quick estimation, the following table lists typical monthly electricity consumption and bills for different capacities of Inverter and Non-Inverter ACs under varying usage schedules:

Practical Tips to Reduce Your AC Electricity Bill

You don't have to sacrifice comfort to keep your power bill under control. Implement these actionable tips to significantly improve energy efficiency:

• Set the Thermostat to 25°C or 26°C: Studies show that setting your AC to a moderate comfort level of 25°C saves about 6% of electricity for every single degree you raise it. Avoid setting it to 18°C hoping it will cool faster—it won't, it will just run the compressor for much longer.
• Ensure Regular Maintenance: Dust and dirt accumulate on the filters and outdoor unit condenser coils, restricting airflow and forcing the motor to work harder. Clean your AC's air filters every 2 weeks to maintain up to 15% better efficiency.
• Run a Ceiling Fan Simultaneously: A ceiling fan circulating air at low speed creates a "wind chill" effect, making the room feel 2°C cooler. This allows you to set the AC thermostat higher while maintaining identical perceived comfort.
• Seal Air Leaks & Use Heavy Curtains: Keep doors and windows tightly shut. Install door sweeps to prevent cool air from escaping under doors. Use blackout curtains or blinds to block solar heat from entering through windows.
• Utilize the Timer / Sleep Mode: The ambient outdoor temperature drops significantly at night. Use the "Sleep" function to automatically increase the temperature by 1 or 2 degrees after a few hours or shut off the AC automatically in the early hours of the morning.
• Upgrade Old Appliances: If your AC is more than 8-10 years old, it is likely running at a low EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio). Upgrading to a modern 5-star inverter model will quickly pay for itself in monthly bill savings.
• Consider Solar Power: If you run your AC heavily, investing in a solar system can offset a significant portion of your electricity bill and reduce your carbon footprint.