How much does it cost to run a desk fan?
A desk fan costs about 0.4¢ per hour, 2.6¢ a day, $0.78 a month and $4 a year at typical use (8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Small plug-in desk fans draw about 10-35 W.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 15 | 0.3¢ | 1.5¢ | $0.47 | $2 |
| High | 25 | 0.4¢ | 2.6¢ | $0.78 | $4 |
At 8 hours a day, 5 days a week 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 | 0.02 | 0.3¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| 2 hours | 0.04 | 0.6¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| 4 hours | 0.07 | 1.3¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| 8 hours | 0.14 | 2.6¢ | $0.78 | $9 |
| 12 hours | 0.21 | 3.9¢ | $1.17 | $14 |
| 24 hours | 0.43 | 7.7¢ | $2.35 | $28 |
Cost to run a desk fan in every state
The same desk fan costs $3 a year in North Dakota and $9 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¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.54 | $3 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.55 | $3 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.56 | $3 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.56 | $3 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.58 | $3 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.58 | $3 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.58 | $3 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.59 | $3 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.60 | $3 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.60 | $3 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.61 | $3 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.61 | $3 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.61 | $3 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.61 | $3 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.61 | $3 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.62 | $3 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.64 | $3 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.64 | $3 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.66 | $3 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.66 | $3 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.67 | $3 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.67 | $3 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.67 | $3 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.67 | $3 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.67 | $3 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.68 | $3 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.69 | $3 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.71 | $4 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.71 | $4 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.72 | $4 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.72 | $4 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.74 | $4 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.77 | $4 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.79 | $4 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.81 | $4 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.82 | $4 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.90 | $5 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.91 | $5 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.92 | $5 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.03 | $5 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.03 | $5 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.05 | $5 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.16 | $6 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.17 | $6 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.22 | $6 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.23 | $6 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.27 | $6 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.27 | $6 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.32 | $7 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.43 | $7 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.89 | $9 |
How to cut the cost
- Use it to raise your office or home thermostat 3-4°F.
- Turn it off with your computer at the end of the day or plug both into a smart power strip.
- Place it 1-3 ft away and aim at your face and neck.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Uses 2-5 W for close-range personal cooling.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desk fan | 25 | 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 5 months a year | $0.78 | $4 |
| USB fan | 3 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $0.10 | $0 |
| Tower fan | 50 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $2.28 | $11 |
| Box fan | 75 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $3.29 | $16 |
| Personal air cooler | 10 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $0.44 | $2 |
| Humidifier | 30 | 10 hours a day for 5 months a year | $1.72 | $9 |
| Whole-house humidifier | 20 | 12 hours a day for 5 months a year | $0.66 | $3 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a desk fan per hour?
A desk fan drawing 25 watts uses 0.03 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.4¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.3¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 1.1¢.
How much does it cost to run a desk fan per month?
At typical use (8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 5 months a year), a desk fan costs about $0.78 a month while in use and $4 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 a desk fan use?
Most desk fans use 5 to 40 watts, depending on the setting (low 15 W, high 25 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a desk fan use?
About 0.14 kWh a day and 22 kWh a year at typical use (8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 5 months a year).
Does a desk fan use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 22 kWh a year it's a small share (0.2%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a desk fan or a USB fan?
At typical use, a desk fan costs about $4 a year versus $0 for a USB fan. So the USB fan is cheaper by about $3 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a desk fan?
- Use it to raise your office or home thermostat 3-4°F.
- Turn it off with your computer at the end of the day or plug both into a smart power strip.
- Place it 1-3 ft away and aim at your face and neck.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.