How to estimate the electricity cost of a visi cooler
Running cost matters as much as the purchase price. You can estimate it yourself with one short calculation, using the watts of the cooler and the rate on your MSEDCL bill. This guide uses Nagpur commercial rates for 2026-27.
What a unit costs in Nagpur
Electricity in Nagpur is supplied by MSEDCL (Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company). A shop is on a commercial (LT-II) connection. For a sanctioned load up to 20 kW, the MERC tariff order for 2026-27 sets an energy charge of about ₹8.51 a unit and a wheeling charge of about ₹1.60 a unit.
Electricity duty of 21% is added on top for commercial connections, along with a fixed charge of about ₹540 a month and a monthly fuel adjustment. Once duty is added, each unit works out to roughly ₹12 to ₹13. The fixed charge is the same whether you run one cooler or five.
These rates change, usually each April, so check the latest MSEDCL bill for your own figure.
The calculation
Electricity is billed in units. One unit is one kilowatt-hour (kWh). To estimate a month:
- Find the power of the cooler in watts, on the nameplate or the model’s specification, and divide by 1,000 to get kilowatts.
- Multiply by the hours the compressor runs in a day. It switches off when the cabinet is cold, so it does not run all day. About 12 hours in 24 is a sensible starting estimate in a shop.
- Multiply by 30 days.
- Multiply the units by the price per unit on your bill, about ₹12 to ₹13.
A worked example
A cooler rated at 400 watts is 0.4 kilowatts. If the compressor runs about 12 hours a day, it uses 0.4 × 12 = 4.8 units a day, or about 144 units in 30 days. At ₹12 to ₹13 a unit, that is about ₹1,700 to ₹1,900 a month, before the fixed charge.
| Rated power | Units a month (12 hours a day) | Cost at ₹12 a unit | Cost at ₹13 a unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 W | 108 units | ₹1,296 | ₹1,404 |
| 400 W | 144 units | ₹1,728 | ₹1,872 |
| 600 W | 216 units | ₹2,592 | ₹2,808 |
| 800 W | 288 units | ₹3,456 | ₹3,744 |
Examples for planning, not figures for a particular model. The real number depends on the room temperature, how often the door is opened and how full the cabinet is.
What changes the cost
Several things push the running cost up or down.
- Heat. A cooler in a hot spot or in direct sun works harder.
- Airflow. Keep a gap behind and beside the unit so heat can escape.
- Door use. Every opening lets cold air out.
- Stocking. A well-stocked cabinet holds its temperature better than an empty one.
- Cleaning. Dust on the condenser makes the unit work harder, so clean it regularly.
Comparing models
Look at the energy rating on each model page, since a higher star rating means lower running cost for the same size. For the watts or kWh per 24 hours of a model you like, press Get a quote on its page and we will send them.
Need a quote?
Send us the model name, or tell us about your shop, and we will reply with a quote.