How much does it cost to run a drum fan?
A drum fan costs about 4.5¢ per hour, 10¢ a day, $3.13 a month and $16 a year at typical use (4 hours a day, 4 days a week for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. High-velocity and drum fans for garages and shops draw 100-500 W, several times more than household fans.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 in high velocity | 150 | 2.7¢ | 6.2¢ | $1.88 | $9 |
| 24 in drum | 250 | 4.5¢ | 10¢ | $3.13 | $16 |
| 36 in drum | 400 | 7.2¢ | 16¢ | $5.01 | $25 |
At 4 hours a day, 4 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 | 0.14 | 2.6¢ | $0.78 | $9 |
| 2 hours | 0.29 | 5.1¢ | $1.56 | $19 |
| 4 hours | 0.57 | 10¢ | $3.13 | $38 |
| 8 hours | 1.14 | 21¢ | $6.26 | $75 |
| 12 hours | 1.71 | 31¢ | $9.39 | $113 |
| 24 hours | 3.43 | 62¢ | $18.77 | $225 |
Cost to run a drum fan in every state
The same drum fan costs $11 a year in North Dakota and $38 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¢ | 3.1¢ | $2.14 | $11 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 3.2¢ | $2.20 | $11 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 3.2¢ | $2.24 | $11 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 3.2¢ | $2.26 | $11 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 3.3¢ | $2.32 | $12 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 3.3¢ | $2.32 | $12 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 3.4¢ | $2.34 | $12 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 3.4¢ | $2.36 | $12 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 3.4¢ | $2.38 | $12 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 3.5¢ | $2.41 | $12 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 3.5¢ | $2.42 | $12 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 3.5¢ | $2.43 | $12 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 3.5¢ | $2.44 | $12 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 3.5¢ | $2.46 | $12 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 3.5¢ | $2.46 | $12 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 3.5¢ | $2.47 | $12 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 3.7¢ | $2.57 | $13 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 3.7¢ | $2.57 | $13 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 3.8¢ | $2.62 | $13 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 3.8¢ | $2.63 | $13 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 3.8¢ | $2.66 | $13 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 3.8¢ | $2.68 | $13 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 3.9¢ | $2.68 | $13 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 3.9¢ | $2.69 | $13 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 3.9¢ | $2.70 | $13 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 3.9¢ | $2.72 | $14 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 4.0¢ | $2.78 | $14 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 4.1¢ | $2.82 | $14 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 4.1¢ | $2.86 | $14 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 4.1¢ | $2.87 | $14 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 4.1¢ | $2.88 | $14 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 4.2¢ | $2.95 | $15 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 4.4¢ | $3.09 | $15 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 4.6¢ | $3.17 | $16 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 4.7¢ | $3.26 | $16 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 4.7¢ | $3.27 | $16 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 5.2¢ | $3.60 | $18 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 5.3¢ | $3.66 | $18 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 5.3¢ | $3.66 | $18 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 5.9¢ | $4.14 | $21 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 6.0¢ | $4.14 | $21 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 6.0¢ | $4.21 | $21 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 6.7¢ | $4.64 | $23 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 6.7¢ | $4.67 | $23 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 7.0¢ | $4.87 | $24 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 7.1¢ | $4.94 | $25 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 7.3¢ | $5.09 | $25 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 7.3¢ | $5.10 | $25 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 7.6¢ | $5.29 | $26 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 8.2¢ | $5.74 | $29 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 11¢ | $7.57 | $38 |
How to cut the cost
- Use the low speed whenever possible; high speed often doubles power for 30% more airflow.
- Place it to blow hot garage air out an open door instead of at yourself.
- Clean the blades and motor vents every season to prevent overheating.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Smaller, directed airflow uses less power for one work area.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drum fan | 250 | 4 hours a day, 4 days a week for 5 months a year | $3.13 | $16 |
| Box fan | 75 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $3.29 | $16 |
| Air circulator fan | 60 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $2.63 | $13 |
| Garage heater | 5,000 | 4 hours a day, 4 days a week for 5 months a year | $37.55 | $188 |
| Attic fan | 300 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $9.20 | $46 |
| Whole house fan | 300 | 5 hours a day for 5 months a year | $8.21 | $41 |
| Warm mist humidifier | 300 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $9.20 | $46 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a drum fan per hour?
A drum fan drawing 250 watts uses 0.25 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 4.5¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 3.1¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 11¢.
How much does it cost to run a drum fan per month?
At typical use (4 hours a day, 4 days a week for 5 months a year), a drum fan costs about $3.13 a month while in use and $16 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 drum fan use?
Most drum fans use 100 to 500 watts, depending on the setting (20 in high velocity 150 W, 24 in drum 250 W, 36 in drum 400 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a drum fan use?
About 0.57 kWh a day and 87 kWh a year at typical use (4 hours a day, 4 days a week for 5 months a year).
Does a drum fan use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 87 kWh a year it's a small share (0.8%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a drum fan or a box fan?
At typical use, a drum fan costs about $16 a year versus $16 for a box fan. So the drum fan is cheaper by about $1 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a drum fan?
- Use the low speed whenever possible; high speed often doubles power for 30% more airflow.
- Place it to blow hot garage air out an open door instead of at yourself.
- Clean the blades and motor vents every season to prevent overheating.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.