How much does it cost to run an air circulator fan?
An air circulator fan costs about 1.1¢ per hour, 8.6¢ a day, $2.63 a month and $13 a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Vornado-style air circulators draw about 30-90 W depending on size and speed.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 30 | 0.5¢ | 4.3¢ | $1.31 | $7 |
| Medium | 45 | 0.8¢ | 6.5¢ | $1.97 | $10 |
| High | 60 | 1.1¢ | 8.6¢ | $2.63 | $13 |
At 8 hours a day for 5 months a year and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.06 | 1.1¢ | $0.33 | $4 |
| 2 hours | 0.12 | 2.2¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| 4 hours | 0.24 | 4.3¢ | $1.31 | $16 |
| 8 hours | 0.48 | 8.6¢ | $2.63 | $32 |
| 12 hours | 0.72 | 13¢ | $3.94 | $47 |
| 24 hours | 1.44 | 26¢ | $7.89 | $95 |
Cost to run an air circulator fan in every state
The same air circulator fan costs $9 a year in North Dakota and $32 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.80 | $9 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.85 | $9 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.88 | $9 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.90 | $9 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.95 | $10 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.95 | $10 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.96 | $10 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.98 | $10 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.8¢ | $2.00 | $10 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.8¢ | $2.02 | $10 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.8¢ | $2.03 | $10 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.8¢ | $2.04 | $10 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.8¢ | $2.05 | $10 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.8¢ | $2.06 | $10 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.8¢ | $2.06 | $10 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.07 | $10 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.16 | $11 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.16 | $11 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.20 | $11 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.21 | $11 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.24 | $11 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.25 | $11 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.25 | $11 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.26 | $11 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.26 | $11 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.29 | $11 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 1.0¢ | $2.33 | $12 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 1.0¢ | $2.37 | $12 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 1.0¢ | $2.40 | $12 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 1.0¢ | $2.41 | $12 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 1.0¢ | $2.42 | $12 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 1.0¢ | $2.47 | $12 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.60 | $13 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.67 | $13 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.74 | $14 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.75 | $14 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 1.2¢ | $3.02 | $15 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 1.3¢ | $3.07 | $15 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 1.3¢ | $3.08 | $15 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 1.4¢ | $3.47 | $17 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 1.4¢ | $3.48 | $17 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 1.5¢ | $3.54 | $18 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 1.6¢ | $3.90 | $19 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 1.6¢ | $3.92 | $20 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 1.7¢ | $4.09 | $20 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 1.7¢ | $4.15 | $21 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 1.8¢ | $4.28 | $21 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 1.8¢ | $4.28 | $21 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 1.8¢ | $4.45 | $22 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 2.0¢ | $4.82 | $24 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 2.6¢ | $6.36 | $32 |
How to cut the cost
- Point it at the ceiling across the room to circulate air in the whole room on low speed.
- Use it in winter to move warm air from a wood stove or heated room on low.
- Turn it off when the room is empty.
- Choose a DC 'Energy Smart' model to cut use by up to 80%.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
DC motor uses 3-40 W for the same airflow.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air circulator fan | 60 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $2.63 | $13 |
| Pedestal fan | 50 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $2.19 | $11 |
| Box fan | 75 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $3.29 | $16 |
| Drum fan | 250 | 4 hours a day, 4 days a week for 5 months a year | $3.13 | $16 |
| Ceiling fan | 40 | 8 hours a day | $1.84 | $22 |
| Window fan | 60 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $2.63 | $13 |
| Radon fan | 70 | 24 hours a day | $9.20 | $110 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an air circulator fan per hour?
An air circulator fan drawing 60 watts uses 0.06 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 1.1¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.7¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 2.6¢.
How much does it cost to run an air circulator fan per month?
At typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year), an air circulator fan costs about $2.63 a month while in use and $13 a year over the 5 months it's typically used, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does an air circulator fan use?
Most air circulator fans use 20 to 120 watts, depending on the setting (low 30 W, medium 45 W, high 60 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an air circulator fan use?
About 0.48 kWh a day and 73 kWh a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does an air circulator fan use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 73 kWh a year it's a small share (0.7%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run an air circulator fan or a pedestal fan?
At typical use, an air circulator fan costs about $13 a year versus $11 for a pedestal fan. So the pedestal fan is cheaper by about $2 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an air circulator fan?
- Point it at the ceiling across the room to circulate air in the whole room on low speed.
- Use it in winter to move warm air from a wood stove or heated room on low.
- Turn it off when the room is empty.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.