Aircon Electricity Cost in Singapore (Q4 2026)

By nearme.sg Editorial Team

At the SP Group household tariff of 31.16 cents per kWh (with GST, 1 Oct to 31 Dec 2026), a bedroom split aircon that uses 4 to 8 kWh a night costs about S$1.25 to S$2.49 per night. The cheapest savings are free: set it to 25°C, let a fan share the work, and use the timer. Gadgets like a smart IR controller help you stick to those habits.

Quick picks

Gadgets that help you save

These don’t lower your tariff. They make it easier to run the aircon less: timers that actually happen, cooling that starts only when you’re near home, and real readings instead of guesses.

1. Sensibo Air Pro (smart aircon controller)

Sensibo Air Pro (smart aircon controller)

An IR controller that lets you switch the aircon on and off and set a schedule from your phone.

Best for: app schedules and timers for a split aircon

• Type: IR aircon controller
• App schedules and timers for split aircon

Price on Shopee: S$181, checked 5 Nov 2026

View on Shopee

2. SwitchBot Hub 2 (IR aircon controller)

SwitchBot Hub 2 (IR aircon controller)

An IR controller that lets you switch the aircon on and off and set a schedule from your phone.

Best for: phone control of IR-remote aircons

• Type: IR aircon controller
• Phone on/off and schedules for IR aircons

Price on Shopee: S$80, checked 5 Nov 2026

View on Shopee

3. Tapo P110M (Matter-certified energy-monitoring mini plug)

Plug a fan or other small appliance into it and the Tapo app shows real-time power and energy use, plus schedules and timers. Good for checking what your fan really uses. Don’t use it with an aircon: Tapo says to avoid appliances with a motor or compressor above 1/6HP, such as air conditioners, and wall-mounted split units are wired to an isolator switch anyway.

Tapo P110M (Matter-certified energy-monitoring mini plug)

Measures a plug-in appliance’s power use in the Tapo app.

Best for: measuring what a fan uses

• Shows: real-time watts, daily and monthly kWh, estimated cost
• Schedules and timers in the Tapo app
• Not for aircons (Tapo’s motor or compressor limit is 1/6HP)

Price on Shopee: S$15.95, checked 5 Nov 2026

View on Shopee

4. Xiaomi Smart Standing Fan 2 (to pair with the aircon)

NEA’s biggest savings come from using a fan.

Xiaomi Smart Standing Fan 2

App and voice control mean you can schedule this standing fan alongside the aircon.

Best for: sharing the cooling with the aircon

• Rated power: 15W (per retailer listing), so 8 hours costs about 4 cents at the Q4 tariff
• Model: BPLDS02DM
• App and voice control

Price on Shopee: S$118, checked 5 Nov 2026

View on Shopee

How to work out your own aircon cost

You need two numbers: how many kWh your unit uses, and the tariff.

• Tariff: SP Group’s regulated rate for Q4 2026 is 31.16 cents per kWh with GST, or 28.59 cents without (SP Group). It changes every quarter. If you are on a retailer plan, use your plan’s rate instead.
• kWh: look at the NEA energy label on your unit or its listing. The “annual energy consumption” figure assumes 8 hours of use a day plus 16 hours on standby (NEA).

The dollar figure printed on the label uses 27 cents per kWh, so it reads lower than what you pay now. Use the kWh figure and redo the sum yourself.

Free habits that cut the bill the most

NEA’s own estimates, based on a 4-tick 2.6kW single-split unit and a 50W fan (NEA energy-saving tips):

A few more that cost nothing:

• Close curtains in the afternoon, especially west-facing rooms. NEA lists this too.
• Shut doors and windows while the aircon runs.
• Clean the filter monthly. NEA says check it once a month. Our guide to how often to service your aircon covers the rest of the schedule, and DIY vs professional servicing explains what you can safely do yourself.
• Don’t set 18°C to cool faster. An aircon trainer told CNA Lifestyle that most units cool at a similar rate; a lower setpoint just runs longer.

Thinking of replacing an old unit?

Compare the kWh figures on the NEA label between models of the same cooling capacity, not just the ticks. Multiply the yearly kWh difference by 0.3116 to get the yearly saving at today’s tariff, then compare that with the price difference.

Renting, or can’t install a split? See portable vs window vs split aircon and our portable aircon guide. Portable aircons are rated only 1 to 2 ticks under NEA’s label.

FAQ

How much does it cost to run an aircon for 1 hour in Singapore?

Divide your unit’s label kWh by 2,920 (8 hours x 365 days) for a rough hourly figure, then multiply by 0.3116. A unit labelled 600 kWh a year works out to about 6 cents an hour at the Q4 2026 tariff.

Is it cheaper to leave the aircon on all night or use a timer?

NEA estimates that setting the off-timer half an hour earlier saves about 2%, and running the aircon for an hour then switching to a fan saves about 23%. That is because the room stays cool for a while after it switches off.

Does 25°C really save money?

NEA estimates about 3% of utility costs saved for every degree you raise the setting, and recommends 25°C.

Do smart aircon controllers work with any aircon?

Most IR controllers work with aircons that use an infrared remote. Check the maker’s compatibility list for your brand and model before buying.

Why is my bill higher than the energy label says?

The label’s dollar figure uses 27 cents per kWh and 8 hours a day. You pay 31.16 cents in Q4 2026, and many homes run the aircon longer.

Sources: SP Group tariff information (Q4 2026); NEA, The Energy Label; NEA, Energy Saving Tips by Appliance; CNA Lifestyle (aircon use, 2026); brand and retailer pages for specs, and Shopee SG listings for prices, read 5 Nov 2026.