Newbies asking questions again !!!!!

That's a 'how long is a piece of string' question!

'Expensive' is a relative term too but since you are actually asking the question I'll assume it's something you do want or need to budget for.

Further assuming that you do already have AC might I suggest my approach when moving into a new property very recently which was to use it entirely at my convenience and on demand whenever and for as long as I wanted then see how much that cost for the month, with a handle on that potential maximum you can take steps to dial back as necessary.

Obviously every case will be different but it's any indication at all I have two AC units, one in the lounge and one in the bedroom. Because of where I am (mobile home park) I have no option but to use the site electricity supply for which I pay a flat €0.35/kWh. Using the AC's as mentioned, plus of course the usual range of other electrical appliances again used without restraint, my first full months bill has come to €139.3 (= 398kWh)

For me personally, and not forgetting that it is for one of the hottest months of the year, in exchange for the comfort it provides that's a sum I'm both able to afford and not unhappy to live with. Hopefully it should fall significantly as the weather cools although of course I have yet to measure the cost of using the AC's for heating in the coldest Winter months.

I would guess that if forced to economise then without being ruthlessly mean and parsimonious I could probably have reduced it to closer to €100.

Brilliant response I also needed to know how much it could cost so thanks.

Hi We have just changed our electricity so its cheaper through the night but only slightly more expensive in the day.We use aircon in bedroom and where my dogs sleep in the evening and fans on in the day. Im waiting to see how much my first elecricity bill will be using this new system.Regards

At the risk of being deeply unpopular- I’ll live with it!- you could of course do what all natives of hot climates have done for centuries and keep the heat out during the day. Shut all doors and windows before it starts to get hot and draw all curtains, blinds or shutters. Keep fans running in rooms where you are and open house again in evng when cooler . It works and doesn’t cost much!!!

I have pre-installed aircon and the unit is under the bathroom ceiling.  The cold air comes inthrough ventilation grills in living room and 2 bedrooms.  I keep doors and windows closed.  I am on the cheap night rate.   For the last month I have had it on for 24 hours every day, set at 23 degrees.  My electricity bill came in at 55 €, I could not believe it.  For some reason my last three bills were lower than last year, god knows why.

The aircon is a Panasonic inverter, 10 years old.  I have turned off the water heater as the water comes out warm from the tap anyway and don’t cook much anymore.

Duff electric meter! 

Look at it this way. 

No AC on the planet consumes less than 1kWh.

Over 24 hours that's 24kWh

Assuming an impossibly cheap €0.10 per kWh that's €2.4 per day. 

Multiply by 30 and that's already €72/mth

€0.2/kWh would be €144 and so on. 

My electric bill states that I used 98 kWh peak times and 137 kWh off peak.  I think that aircon uses electricity until the required temperature is achieved and then only comes on to maintain that temperature.  So it is not using electricity all the time.

I hope I haven’t got a duff meter and end up with a large bill when they realise it.

I just ordered a unit from euronics a fujitsu unit great reviews at a cost of 570 euros plus 22euros to fit having it fitted 15th August 

This is what I do and it works a treat.