How long will a power station run a window air conditioner?
A 1,000Wh power station runs a window air conditioner on its own for about 0.5 to 1 hour running nonstop, and a 2,000Wh one for about 1.5 to 2.5 hours. It cycles on and off, so in practice it lasts longer. Starting it is the harder part: generator makers' charts allow up to about 3,200 watts for the moment it starts, and 11 of the 25 power stations we compare cover that, with 3 more worth checking against your own window AC's label.
Every power station we compare
Running a window air conditioner on its own from the AC outlet, smallest first.
| Power station | Runs it for | Runs it? |
|---|---|---|
| BLUETTI Elite 10 Mini128Wh · 200WSee price at BLUETTI | – | Noneeds 625W+ |
| EcoFlow RIVER 3245Wh · 300WSee price on Amazon | – | Noneeds 625W+ |
| Anker SOLIX C300288Wh · 300W · 600W surgeSee price on Amazon | – | Noneeds 625W+ |
| BLUETTI Elite 30 V2288Wh · 600WSee price at BLUETTI | – | Noneeds 625W+ |
| Jackery Explorer 300292Wh · 300W · 600W surgeSee price on Amazon | – | Noneeds 625W+ |
| Goal Zero Yeti 700677Wh · 600W · 1,000W surgeSee price on Amazon | – | Noneeds 625W+ |
| EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro768Wh · 800W · 1,600W surgeSee price on Amazon | 0.5 to 1 hour | Nomay not start it (surge 1,600W) |
| BLUETTI Elite 100 V21,024Wh · 1,800W · 2,700W surgeSee price at BLUETTI | 0.5 to 1 hour | Nomay not start it (surge 2,700W) |
| EcoFlow DELTA 31,024Wh · 1,800W · 3,600W surgeSee price on Amazon | 0.5 to 1 hour | Yes |
| ALLPOWERS P18001,024Wh · 1,800W · 3,600W surgeSee price at ALLPOWERS | 0.5 to 1 hour | Yes |
| Anker SOLIX C10001,056Wh · 1,800WSee price on Amazon | 0.5 to 1.5 hours | Checksurge rating not listed: check it |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v21,070Wh · 1,500W · 3,000W surgeSee price on Amazon | 0.5 to 1.5 hours | Nomay not start it (surge 3,000W) |
| BLUETTI AC1801,152Wh · 1,800W · 2,700W surgeSee price at BLUETTI | 0.5 to 1.5 hours | Nomay not start it (surge 2,700W) |
| ALLPOWERS R15001,152Wh · 1,800W · 3,000W surgeSee price at ALLPOWERS | 0.5 to 1.5 hours | Nomay not start it (surge 3,000W) |
| Goal Zero Yeti 15001,505Wh · 2,000W · 3,600W surgeSee price on Amazon | 1 to 2 hours | Yes |
| Jackery Explorer 1500 v21,536Wh · 2,000W · 4,000W surgeSee price on Amazon | 1 to 2 hours | Yes |
| ALLPOWERS R2500 V21,920Wh · 2,500W · 5,000W surgeSee price at ALLPOWERS | 1 to 2.5 hours | Yes |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max2,048Wh · 2,400W · 4,800W surgeSee price on Amazon | 1.5 to 2.5 hours | Yes |
| BLUETTI Elite 200 V22,074Wh · 2,600WSee price at BLUETTI | 1.5 to 2.5 hours | Checksurge rating not listed: check it |
| BLUETTI Apex 3002,765Wh · 3,840WSee price at BLUETTI | 1.5 to 3.5 hours | Yes |
| BLUETTI Elite 3003,014Wh · 2,400WSee price at BLUETTI | 2 to 3.5 hours | Checksurge rating not listed: check it |
| Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus3,840Wh · 6,000WSee price on Amazon | 2.5 to 4.5 hours | Yes |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 34,096Wh · 4,000W · 8,000W surgeSee price on Amazon | 2.5 to 5 hours | Yes |
| Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus5,040Wh · 7,200W · 14,400W surgeSee price on Amazon | 3 to 6 hours | Yes |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra6,144Wh · 7,200WSee price on Amazon | 4 to 7.5 hours | Yes |
Runtime: capacity × 90% usable × 85% inverter efficiency ÷ (the appliance's average draw + about 10W the station uses itself), a range from the low and high average draw. "Runs it?" checks the station's output against 625–1,200W running and its surge rating against about 3,200W to start, the cautious figures from generator makers' and DTE Energy's charts. Many modern appliances start with less, so "Check" means read your appliance's label (amps × 120 = watts). Plan on the low end of every runtime.
Where the figures come from
Champion's chart gives a window unit 1,200 running watts and 2,000 more to start. Newer, efficient units draw less: Energy Star certified 10,000 BTU models work out at about 625 to 710 watts (cooling capacity divided by their efficiency rating). It cycles with the thermostat, so treat it as running for the hours it is on. In a heat wave, see extreme heat safety.
Running more than one thing?
Tick everything you'd keep going and for how long, and see which power stations cover it.
Open the power station calculator →For bigger loads, see what size generator you need.
Questions
How long will a 1,000Wh power station run a window air conditioner?
About 0.5 to 1 hour running nonstop, running nothing else, on the figures behind this page. Plan on the low end.
What size power station do I need for a window air conditioner?
For 12 hours, about 14,471Wh, or 18,981Wh for an older or larger one, with at least 1,200W of output and a surge rating of about 3,200W to start it.
Can a power station run a window air conditioner?
Only a large one. It needs about 3,200 watts to start on the charts, which rules out most portable power stations. A generator or a dedicated battery backup is usually the better fit.
Other appliances
Sources (5)
- Champion
- Energy Star certified room air conditioners, 9,800–10,200 BTU (112 models)
- BLUETTI — Elite 200 V2 (runtime formula: DoD 90%, η 85%, self-consumption about 10W)
- BLUETTI — Elite 100 V2 (self-consumption about 10W)
- EcoFlow — test runtime before an emergency0.80–0.90 for AC; DC ports for routers and phones