The short answer
Read the exact AC model’s cooling or heating energy column, climate and consumption unit. SEER, SCOP and cooling capacity are different from a kWh input. Use a compatible stated annual energy figure directly for annual cost; do not rescale that test year by adding household operating hours again.
Start with the label for the exact model
The European Commission’s air-conditioner guidance shows a split/reversible label with an A+++ to D scale. Do not assume every appliance category has the rescaled A-to-G design.
Find the model identifier and its product information. Keep the relevant cooling or heating column and the stated consumption unit with any figure you copy into a calculator.
Read cooling and heating separately
On the illustrated split/reversible label, SEER describes seasonal cooling efficiency and SCOP describes seasonal heating efficiency. Heating information can cover different climates.
| Label item | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Cooling information and SEER | Identify the cooling performance basis |
| Heating information and SCOP | Select the relevant heating and climate information |
| Consumption in kWh/year or kWh/hour | Retain that exact period and mode |
| Capacity in kW | Check whether it describes thermal output rather than electrical input |
| Model and QR information | Confirm the model record and product information |
The Commission distinguishes labels with annual or hourly consumption information. The correct calculation depends on which figure your model’s label actually provides.
Price annual kWh without inventing household hours
Suppose an illustrative cooling label figure states 400 kWh per year. At an illustrative €0.30/kWh, the electricity cost on that stated basis is:
400 × €0.30 = €120.00 per label year.
Use annual-label mode in the AC calculator. The mode multiplies that annual energy directly by your rate. It does not increase or decrease the figure when you change a daily-hours scenario in another mode.
Do not combine annual cooling and heating figures unless your question and sources support the combined scope. Record the mode and climate alongside the result.
Handle an hourly energy figure on its own basis
If a source states an illustrative 0.8 kWh for one hour under specified conditions, three such hours use 2.4 kWh. At €0.30/kWh, that is €0.72. Extending that figure assumes the specified hourly consumption remains representative.
For the power-and-time calculator, the equivalent average over that one-hour interval is 0.8 kW. Enter it only with that source assumption understood; it is not necessarily the appliance’s nameplate input or an average for all conditions.
A measurement over complete days can provide a separate household estimate. Label and measured results need not describe the same conditions.
Use efficiency metrics for compatible comparisons
A seasonal efficiency metric is not a direct kWh reading. The calculator does not turn SEER or SCOP alone into a household bill.
Use EPREL product information to check the exact model. For UK context, read Great Britain and Northern Ireland label guidance; do not assume this EU page establishes every UK requirement. Read BTU/h versus input watts before using a capacity figure.