How much does it cost to run a fog machine?
A fog machine costs about 4.3¢ per hour, 2.5¢ a day, $0.75 a month and $1 a year at typical use (4 hours a day, 1 days a week for 1 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Fog machines keep a heat exchanger at about 500°F; the heater cycles to maintain temperature even when not fogging, so draw averages about half to two-thirds of rated watts.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400 W | 400 | 4.3¢ | 2.5¢ | $0.75 | $1 |
| 700 W | 700 | 7.6¢ | 4.3¢ | $1.31 | $1 |
| 1,000-1,500 W | 1,200 | 13¢ | 7.4¢ | $2.25 | $2 |
At 4 hours a day, 1 days a week for 1 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 | 0.03 | 0.6¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| 2 hours | 0.07 | 1.2¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| 4 hours | 0.14 | 2.5¢ | $0.75 | $9 |
| 8 hours | 0.27 | 4.9¢ | $1.50 | $18 |
| 12 hours | 0.41 | 7.4¢ | $2.25 | $27 |
| 24 hours | 0.82 | 15¢ | $4.51 | $54 |
Cost to run a fog machine in every state
The same fog machine costs $1 a year in North Dakota and $2 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¢ | 3.0¢ | $0.51 | $1 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 3.0¢ | $0.53 | $1 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.54 | $1 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.54 | $1 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 3.2¢ | $0.56 | $1 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 3.2¢ | $0.56 | $1 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 3.2¢ | $0.56 | $1 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 3.3¢ | $0.57 | $1 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 3.3¢ | $0.57 | $1 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 3.3¢ | $0.58 | $1 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 3.3¢ | $0.58 | $1 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 3.3¢ | $0.58 | $1 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 3.4¢ | $0.58 | $1 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 3.4¢ | $0.59 | $1 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 3.4¢ | $0.59 | $1 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 3.4¢ | $0.59 | $1 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.62 | $1 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.62 | $1 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 3.6¢ | $0.63 | $1 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 3.6¢ | $0.63 | $1 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 3.7¢ | $0.64 | $1 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 3.7¢ | $0.64 | $1 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 3.7¢ | $0.64 | $1 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 3.7¢ | $0.65 | $1 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 3.7¢ | $0.65 | $1 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.65 | $1 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.67 | $1 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.68 | $1 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.69 | $1 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 4.0¢ | $0.69 | $1 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 4.0¢ | $0.69 | $1 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 4.1¢ | $0.71 | $1 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 4.3¢ | $0.74 | $1 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 4.4¢ | $0.76 | $1 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 4.5¢ | $0.78 | $1 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 4.5¢ | $0.78 | $1 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 5.0¢ | $0.86 | $1 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 5.0¢ | $0.88 | $1 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 5.1¢ | $0.88 | $1 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 5.7¢ | $0.99 | $1 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 5.7¢ | $0.99 | $1 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 5.8¢ | $1.01 | $1 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 6.4¢ | $1.11 | $1 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 6.4¢ | $1.12 | $1 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 6.7¢ | $1.17 | $1 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 6.8¢ | $1.19 | $1 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 7.0¢ | $1.22 | $1 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 7.0¢ | $1.22 | $1 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 7.3¢ | $1.27 | $1 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 7.9¢ | $1.38 | $1 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 10¢ | $1.82 | $2 |
How to cut the cost
- Switch it on 10 minutes before trick-or-treaters arrive, not hours ahead.
- Use a timer remote for short bursts rather than continuous fog.
- Pair with a fog chiller so low-lying fog lasts longer with fewer bursts.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Automates short bursts so the heater runs less.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fog machine | 400 | 4 hours a day, 1 days a week for 1 months a year | $0.75 | $1 |
| Outdoor inflatable decoration | 150 | 6 hours a day for 3 months a year | $4.93 | $15 |
| Christmas light projector | 8 | 6 hours a day for 4 months a year | $0.26 | $1 |
| Pre-lit Christmas tree | 40 | 6 hours a day for 3 months a year | $1.31 | $4 |
| Christmas lights | 5 | 6 hours a day for 3 months a year | $0.16 | $0 |
| Electric window candles | 4 | 8 hours a day for 3 months a year | $0.18 | $1 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a fog machine per hour?
A fog machine drawing 400 watts uses 0.24 kWh per hour while running (60% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 4.3¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 3.0¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 10¢.
How much does it cost to run a fog machine per month?
At typical use (4 hours a day, 1 days a week for 1 months a year), a fog machine costs about $0.75 a month while in use and $1 a year over the 1 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 fog machine use?
Most fog machines use 400 to 1,500 watts, depending on the setting (400 w 400 W, 700 w 700 W, 1,000-1,500 w 1,200 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a fog machine use?
About 0.14 kWh a day and 4 kWh a year at typical use (4 hours a day, 1 days a week for 1 months a year).
Does a fog machine use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 4 kWh a year it's a small share (0.0%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a fog machine or an outdoor inflatable decoration?
At typical use, a fog machine costs about $1 a year versus $15 for an outdoor inflatable decoration. So the fog machine is cheaper by about $14 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a fog machine?
- Switch it on 10 minutes before trick-or-treaters arrive, not hours ahead.
- Use a timer remote for short bursts rather than continuous fog.
- Pair with a fog chiller so low-lying fog lasts longer with fewer bursts.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.