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Hot & Humid · ~14¢/kWh · 8-month season

Air conditioning in Texas: sizing, costs & the right units

Texas summers combine triple-digit heat with — east of I-35 — Gulf humidity. Houston and the coast cool like Florida; Dallas and Austin see drier 100°F+ stretches; El Paso behaves like the desert Southwest. Cooling season runs April through October for most of the state.

What to look for in Texas

Size for the August peak, not the May average. ERCOT price spikes make efficiency a budget issue: an inverter unit that sips power during a heat dome protects you from bill shock. Renters in older Houston or San Antonio stock should check window wiring before buying a 14K+ unit — many circuits are 15A.

What cooling costs in Texas

Estimated at Texas's average residential rate (~14¢/kWh, approximate) and 8 hours/day. "Per season" assumes 8 cooling months. Your utility rate and usage will vary.

UnitEfficiencyEst. / monthEst. / season
Senville LETO SENL-12CD
Mini-split
 21.2 SEER2 $23 $184
LG Dual Inverter LW1022IVSM
Window
 15 CEER $23 $184
BLACK+DECKER BPACT14WT
Portable
 6.1 CEER $80 $640
Climate-matched

Units that fit Texas's climate

All 49 units
product shot
Best efficiency
Mini-splitENERGY STAR

MRCOOL DIY 4th Gen 12K

4.6(1,510)
Cooling
12,000 BTU
Covers
500 ft²
Efficiency
22 SEER2
Noise
32 dB
$1099 est.
via partner retailers
product shot
Portable

Whynter ARC-1230WN

4.3(880)
Cooling
14,000 BTU
Covers
600 ft²
Efficiency
12.3 CEER
Noise
58 dB
$629 est.
via partner retailers

Texas AC questions, answered

How many BTU do I need for a Texas summer?

Use the Hot & Humid zone in our calculator: Texas loads run 10–15% above the national baseline. A 400 ft² living room in Dallas or Houston typically needs 10,000–12,000 BTU; west-Texas rooms with shade and dry air can size slightly smaller.

What does it cost to run an AC in Texas?

At roughly 14.5¢/kWh, an efficient 12K BTU unit costs about $25–35/month at 8 hours/day — but Texas peak-summer usage is often 12+ hours, so budget realistically for $40–60 in July–August with an efficient unit, and double that with an old one.

Window unit or mini-split for a Texas garage or casita?

For garages, workshops, and casitas — a Texas staple — a DIY mini-split like the MRCOOL is the most popular answer: it handles 100°F+ ambient temperatures better than window units, runs quieter, and heats in the brief winter too.

Electricity rates are approximate state averages; check your utility bill for your exact rate.