How Much Does It Cost to Run a Ceiling Fan, Electric Fan, & Box Fan?
ZacharyWilliamFans are one of the cheapest ways to stay comfortable in warm weather, but how cheap are they really? With electricity prices rising across the U.S., more homeowners are asking: what does it actually cost per day, month, and year to run a ceiling fan, tower fan, or box fan?
In this guide, we’ll walk through typical fan wattages, show you a simple formula to calculate costs, and share example numbers for several states. We’ll also briefly look at how long common fans can run on a portable power station like UDPOWER’s LiFePO₄ units during outages.
Why Fan Electricity Costs Matter
Compared with air conditioning, fans are extremely efficient. They don’t actually cool the air; instead, they move it across your skin, helping sweat evaporate and making you feel several degrees cooler. That’s why a small fan can help you raise the thermostat setting while staying comfortable.
But if you leave multiple fans running 8–12 hours a day, every day, the costs do add up over a season or year. Knowing the wattage of each fan and your local electricity rate helps you:
- Estimate how much your comfort habits add to your monthly bill
- Decide whether to replace old, inefficient fans with newer models
- Plan for how many fans you can run during a power outage on backup power
Typical Wattage: Ceiling Fan vs. Electric Fan vs. Box Fan
Actual wattage varies by brand and speed setting, but here are common ranges for modern residential fans:
- Ceiling fan: About 25–75W on low-to-medium speeds. Many Energy Star ceiling fans draw around 30–50W on typical settings.
- Pedestal/tower electric fan: Often 40–70W on medium, sometimes up to 90W on high.
- Box fan: Commonly 50–100W, with many popular 20″ box fans around 60–80W at medium speed.
For our cost examples, we’ll use:
- Ceiling fan: 40W (typical efficient model on medium)
- Pedestal/tower fan: 50W
- Box fan: 75W
You can usually find your fan’s actual wattage printed on a label near the motor housing or in the owner’s manual.
How to Calculate Fan Running Costs
The basic formula for electricity cost is:
Step-by-step example
Imagine you have a 50W pedestal fan that runs 8 hours a day, and your rate is 18 cents/kWh:
- Convert watts to kilowatts: 50W ÷ 1000 = 0.05 kW
- Multiply by hours per day: 0.05 kW × 8 h = 0.40 kWh/day
- Multiply by rate: 0.40 kWh × $0.18 = $0.072/day (about 7.2 cents)
- Monthly estimate (30 days): $0.072 × 30 ≈ $2.16/month
- Yearly estimate (365 days): $0.072 × 365 ≈ $26.28/year
That’s why fans are so popular: even at higher electricity rates, they’re still very affordable to operate compared with air conditioning.
Example Cost Table by Wattage, State, and Usage
To make things concrete, here is a comparison of typical daily, monthly, and yearly costs to run a fan 8 hours per day in three states with different electricity rates. All dollars are rounded to the nearest cent.
| Wattage | Usage (Hrs/Day) | State | Rate in cents per kWh | Daily Cost | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50W | 8 | Alabama | 16.43 | $0.07 | $1.97 | $23.99 |
| 50W | 8 | Alaska | 27.16 | $0.11 | $3.26 | $39.65 |
| 50W | 8 | Arizona | 15.27 | $0.06 | $1.83 | $22.29 |
| 50W | 8 | Arkansas | 13.79 | $0.06 | $1.65 | $20.13 |
| 50W | 8 | California | 32.04 | $0.13 | $3.84 | $46.78 |
| 50W | 8 | Colorado | 16.70 | $0.07 | $2.00 | $24.38 |
| 50W | 8 | Connecticut | 30.48 | $0.12 | $3.66 | $44.50 |
| 50W | 8 | Delaware | 18.12 | $0.07 | $2.17 | $26.46 |
| 50W | 8 | Florida | 15.76 | $0.06 | $1.89 | $23.01 |
| 50W | 8 | Georgia | 15.30 | $0.06 | $1.84 | $22.34 |
| 50W | 8 | Hawaii | 39.54 | $0.16 | $4.74 | $57.73 |
| 50W | 8 | Idaho | 12.50 | $0.05 | $1.50 | $18.25 |
| 50W | 8 | Illinois | 19.05 | $0.08 | $2.29 | $27.81 |
| 50W | 8 | Indiana | 17.33 | $0.07 | $2.08 | $25.30 |
| 50W | 8 | Iowa | 14.79 | $0.06 | $1.77 | $21.59 |
| 50W | 8 | Kansas | 15.20 | $0.06 | $1.82 | $22.19 |
| 50W | 8 | Kentucky | 13.56 | $0.05 | $1.63 | $19.80 |
| 50W | 8 | Louisiana | 12.36 | $0.05 | $1.48 | $18.05 |
| 50W | 8 | Maine | 27.98 | $0.11 | $3.36 | $40.85 |
| 50W | 8 | Maryland | 21.05 | $0.08 | $2.53 | $30.73 |
| 50W | 8 | Massachusetts | 30.41 | $0.12 | $3.65 | $44.40 |
| 50W | 8 | Michigan | 21.20 | $0.08 | $2.54 | $30.95 |
| 50W | 8 | Minnesota | 17.10 | $0.07 | $2.05 | $24.97 |
| 50W | 8 | Mississippi | 13.97 | $0.06 | $1.68 | $20.40 |
| 50W | 8 | Missouri | 15.84 | $0.06 | $1.90 | $23.13 |
| 50W | 8 | Montana | 14.64 | $0.06 | $1.76 | $21.37 |
| 50W | 8 | Nebraska | 13.85 | $0.06 | $1.66 | $20.22 |
| 50W | 8 | Nevada | 11.95 | $0.05 | $1.43 | $17.45 |
| 50W | 8 | New Hampshire | 27.82 | $0.11 | $3.34 | $40.62 |
| 50W | 8 | New Jersey | 23.39 | $0.09 | $2.81 | $34.15 |
| 50W | 8 | New Mexico | 16.52 | $0.07 | $1.98 | $24.12 |
| 50W | 8 | New York | 27.23 | $0.11 | $3.27 | $39.76 |
| 50W | 8 | North Carolina | 15.12 | $0.06 | $1.81 | $22.08 |
| 50W | 8 | North Dakota | 13.66 | $0.05 | $1.64 | $19.94 |
| 50W | 8 | Ohio | 17.61 | $0.07 | $2.11 | $25.71 |
| 50W | 8 | Oklahoma | 14.79 | $0.06 | $1.77 | $21.59 |
| 50W | 8 | Oregon | 15.96 | $0.06 | $1.92 | $23.30 |
| 50W | 8 | Pennsylvania | 20.46 | $0.08 | $2.46 | $29.87 |
| 50W | 8 | Rhode Island | 28.30 | $0.11 | $3.40 | $41.32 |
| 50W | 8 | South Carolina | 15.34 | $0.06 | $1.84 | $22.40 |
| 50W | 8 | South Dakota | 14.76 | $0.06 | $1.77 | $21.55 |
| 50W | 8 | Tennessee | 13.29 | $0.05 | $1.59 | $19.40 |
| 50W | 8 | Texas | 15.84 | $0.06 | $1.90 | $23.13 |
| 50W | 8 | Utah | 14.12 | $0.06 | $1.69 | $20.62 |
| 50W | 8 | Vermont | 23.92 | $0.10 | $2.87 | $34.92 |
| 50W | 8 | Virginia | 16.62 | $0.07 | $1.99 | $24.27 |
| 50W | 8 | Washington | 13.79 | $0.06 | $1.65 | $20.13 |
| 50W | 8 | West Virginia | 16.14 | $0.06 | $1.94 | $23.56 |
| 50W | 8 | Wisconsin | 18.73 | $0.07 | $2.25 | $27.35 |
| 50W | 8 | Wyoming | 15.00 | $0.06 | $1.80 | $21.90 |
Your exact costs will depend on your local rate (in cents per kWh), how many hours you run the fan, and which speed you use. But even in higher-cost states, a single fan is still usually just a few dollars per month.
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Ceiling Fan?
Ceiling fans are among the most efficient cooling devices in your home. A typical modern ceiling fan on medium speed might draw around 30–50W, with 40W as a common reference point.
Example: 40W ceiling fan, 8 hours per day
Using the formula:
- Power: 40W = 0.04 kW
- Hours: 8 hours/day
- Energy: 0.04 × 8 = 0.32 kWh/day
At different electricity rates, the cost looks like:
- National-average rate (~18¢/kWh): 0.32 × $0.18 ≈ $0.06/day — about $1.70/month.
- Higher-cost areas (~30¢/kWh): 0.32 × $0.30 ≈ $0.10/day — about $3.00/month.
That’s typically less than the cost of running a central air conditioner for a single hour. This is why many energy experts suggest using ceiling fans to feel cooler and then raising the thermostat a few degrees to save on A/C run time.
How Much Does It Cost to Run an Electric (Pedestal or Tower) Fan?
Pedestal and tower fans are popular for bedrooms, home offices, and living rooms. Their wattage is usually slightly higher than a ceiling fan but still modest compared with air conditioning.
Example: 50W pedestal fan, 8 hours per day
- Power: 50W = 0.05 kW
- Hours: 8 hours/day
- Energy: 0.05 × 8 = 0.40 kWh/day
At a national-average rate of about 18¢/kWh, that’s:
- Daily: 0.40 × $0.18 ≈ $0.07/day
- Monthly (30 days): ≈ $2.10/month
- Yearly: ≈ $25/year
Even if your rate is closer to 25–30¢/kWh, you’re still usually under $4–$5 per month for one pedestal fan used 8 hours per day.
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Box Fan?
Box fans tend to draw more power than slim tower fans, especially on high. Many common 20″ box fans use 60–100W; we’ll use 75W as a reasonable mid-range example.
Example: 75W box fan, 8 hours per day
- Power: 75W = 0.075 kW
- Hours: 8 hours/day
- Energy: 0.075 × 8 = 0.60 kWh/day
At a typical U.S. rate of 18¢/kWh:
- Daily: 0.60 × $0.18 ≈ $0.11/day
- Monthly: ≈ $3.30/month
- Yearly: ≈ $40/year
At 16¢/kWh (similar to recent averages in some Southeastern states), the cost drops to about $0.10/day and roughly $35/year — very similar to our California ceiling-fan example at higher rates because we’re trading higher wattage for a lower cost per kWh.
Running Fans on a UDPOWER Portable Power Station
Beyond grid electricity costs, many people also want to know how long they can run fans during power outages using a portable power station or solar generator. This is where battery capacity (measured in watt-hours, Wh) matters.
UDPOWER’s LiFePO₄ portable power stations are designed for exactly this kind of backup use. A few key examples:
- UDPOWER C200: 192Wh capacity, 200W pure sine wave output, around 5.4 lbs.
- UDPOWER C400: 256Wh, 400W output, hand-sized, also functions as a car jump starter.
- UDPOWER C600: 596Wh LiFePO₄ battery, 600W rated output (up to 1,200W peak).
- UDPOWER S1200: 1,190Wh LiFePO₄ battery, 1,200W output (up to 1,800W), designed for home backup with multiple AC outlets and fast UPS switchover.
Approximate fan runtimes on battery power
To estimate runtime, divide usable battery capacity (in Wh) by the fan’s wattage, and then apply a real-world efficiency factor (for inverter and conversion losses). A simple rule of thumb is to assume about 85% of rated capacity is usable for AC loads.
- C200 (192Wh) + 40W ceiling fan: ~4 hours of runtime (192Wh × 0.85 ÷ 40W).
- C400 (256Wh) + 50W pedestal fan: roughly 4–4.5 hours at moderate speed.
- C600 (596Wh) + 75W box fan: around 6–7 hours depending on speed and actual draw.
- S1200 (1,190Wh) + 40W ceiling fan: around 25 hours of runtime, which can cover multiple evenings if you only run the fan at night.
In an extended outage, pairing a UDPOWER power station with a compatible solar panel lets you recharge during the day. That way, your fans can keep running even when the grid is down, without relying on noisy gas generators.
Tips to Reduce Fan Energy Costs
- Use the lowest comfortable speed: Dropping from high to medium can significantly reduce watts while keeping you just as cool.
- Turn fans off when you leave: Fans cool people, not rooms. If nobody is there, the fan doesn’t provide any benefit.
- Combine fans with A/C wisely: Use fans to feel cooler and raise your thermostat a few degrees. The A/C savings usually dwarf the fan’s cost.
- Upgrade old, noisy fans: Newer Energy Star models are often quieter and more efficient, especially ceiling fans.
- Check your rate plan: In some areas, running fans during off-peak hours (evening or overnight) can be cheaper than during the late afternoon peak.
FAQs: Fan Electricity Costs
Are fans cheaper to run than air conditioning?
Yes. A typical fan uses tens of watts, while a central air conditioner often uses thousands of watts (1,500–3,500W or more). Even if you run multiple fans, their total energy use is usually a small fraction of your A/C system.
How can I find my exact fan wattage?
Check the label on the base or motor housing, the user manual, or the product’s online spec sheet. If wattage isn’t listed, you may see amps (A) and voltage (V); multiply them (V × A) to estimate watts.
Do higher electricity rates make fans “not worth it”?
Even in high-rate states, fans are still one of the most cost-effective comfort tools. The cost per hour is usually just a few cents. Using fans to reduce A/C run time can still lower your overall bill.
Is it okay to run a fan 24/7?
Many fans are designed for long runtimes, but it’s still wise to turn them off in empty rooms and to give the motor a break occasionally. From a cost perspective, even a 40–50W fan running 24/7 can add up to a few dozen dollars per year.
Can a portable power station run multiple fans at once?
Yes, as long as their combined wattage is below the power station’s continuous output rating and you have enough battery capacity. For example, a 600W unit like UDPOWER’s C600 can easily handle several small fans simultaneously, as long as you manage total runtime based on its 596Wh battery capacity.
