Running a window air conditioner on backup power
The short answer
A window air conditioner uses about 500–3,250 watts while running , and needs up to 7,200 watts for a split second when it starts. Over 8 hours it uses roughly 1,600–20,800 watt-hours.
Buy for the higher number in each range. 36 of the 58 products we track can run it. For example, the Zendure SuperBase V6400 would run it for 1.7–10.9 hours.
The numbers behind that
The spread here is enormous because 'window AC' covers everything from a small bedroom unit to a large one. An inverter-driven unit has a much gentler start than a conventional compressor.
What it draws while it is actually on.
The momentary surge when a motor or compressor kicks in. Undersized systems fail here, not on running watts.
How much of the hour it is actually drawing power. This is what turns running watts into energy.
Multiply the battery capacity you are considering by roughly 0.85 to compare like with like.
Usually plugs in
Most units plug into a normal socket. If yours is wired into the wall instead, treat it as the case below.
Safety
Air conditioning is the load most likely to exceed a portable system's continuous output. Size on the high end.
Check this yourself
Read the BTU rating and nameplate amps. A 5,000 BTU unit and a 12,000 BTU unit are not in the same class of problem.
What can run it
Sized for 8 hours of use during a 24-hour outage, using the higher end of the range.
| Product | Continuous | Surge | Runtime | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zendure SuperBase V6400 | 3,800W | 5,000W | 1.7–10.9h | Might work |
| Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Station | 7,200W | 14,400W | 1.3–8.6h | Might work |
| Zendure SuperBase V4600 | 3,800W | 5,000W | 1.2–7.8h | Might work |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station | 4,000W | 8,000W | 1.1–7.0h | Might work |
| Goal Zero Yeti PRO 4000 | 3,600W | 7,200W | 1.0–6.8h | Might work |
| Champion 201598 8500W Wireless Start Tri Fuel Inverter | 6,500W | 8,500W | fuel-dependent | Will work |
| Champion 201176 9000W Tri-Fuel Open Frame Inverter | 7,250W | 9,000W | fuel-dependent | Will work |
| Westinghouse WGen9500DF | 9,500W | 12,500W | fuel-dependent | Will work |
What will not work, and why
19 of 58 products cannot run this.
- Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra — 1,306Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 1,600–20,800Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 0.4h before recharging.
- Jackery Explorer 1500 v2 — 1,306Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 1,600–20,800Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 0.4h before recharging.
- Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station (JE-1000C) — 1,075Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 1,600–20,800Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 0.3h before recharging.
- Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station — 910Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 1,600–20,800Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 0.3h before recharging.
- Anker SOLIX Anker SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station - 1056Wh | 1800W — 898Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 1,600–20,800Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 0.3h before recharging.
- Jackery HomePower 1000 v2 — 870Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 1,600–20,800Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 0.3h before recharging.