How long will a power station run a window air conditioner?
A small 5000 BTU window unit draws around 450 W while the compressor runs, and up to about 1,200 W as it starts. Larger 8000 to 12000 BTU units draw roughly 700 to 1100 W. The compressor cycles on and off, so real runtime depends on how hot it is.
5000 BTU unit (450 W)
| Station | Running non-stop | At 6 h a day |
|---|---|---|
| 500 Wh | 57 min | 3 h 47 min |
| 1,000 Wh | 1 h 53 min | 7 h 33 min |
| 1,500 Wh | 2 h 50 min | 11 h 20 min |
| 2,000 Wh | 3 h 47 min | 15 h 7 min |
| 3,000 Wh | 5 h 40 min | 22 h 40 min |
Making it last
- Cool one small room and keep the door shut. Set the thermostat a few degrees higher; each degree cuts compressor time.
- Switch to fan-only once the room is cool. The fan draws a small fraction of what the compressor does.
- Check the station’s surge rating against the AC’s start-up draw. Units sold as “inverter” air conditioners start gently and are much easier on a battery.
See 3000 Wh power stations on Amazon
Figures assume 85% efficiency on AC and typical draws. The label on your appliance, or a plug-in power meter, gives the exact number; enter it in the calculator.