Drum fan vs. box fan: running cost
A drum fan is cheaper to run: about $16 a year versus $16 for a box fan at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $1 difference.
| Drum fan | Box fan | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 250 W | 75 W |
| Watt range | 100–500 W | 40–110 W |
| Typical use | 4 hours a day, 4 days a week for 5 months a year | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year |
| Energy per year | 87 kWh | 91 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 4.5¢ | 1.3¢ |
| Cost per day | 10¢ | 11¢ |
| Cost per month | $3.13 | $3.29 |
| Cost per year | $16 | $16 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $38 | $40 |
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What drives the difference
- Drum fan: High-velocity and drum fans for garages and shops draw 100-500 W, several times more than household fans.
- Box fan: A standard 20-inch box fan draws about 45-75 W. Running one 8 hours a day all summer costs a few dollars.
Ways to cut either cost
Wall-mount garage fan
Smaller, directed airflow uses less power for one work area.
See options on Amazon DC-motor floor fan
Moves similar air on 10-30 W.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a drum fan or a box fan?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a box fan costs about $16 a year versus $16 for a drum fan. That's $1 more.
How many watts do drum fan and box fan use?
A drum fan typically draws 250 W (range 100–500 W). A box fan draws 75 W (range 40–110 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.