How much does it cost to run a leaf blower?
A leaf blower costs about 22¢ per hour, 1.5¢ a day, $0.47 a month and $3 a year at typical use (30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Corded blowers draw 7-12 A (about 900-1,450 W); battery blowers use about 0.2-0.4 kWh per recharge.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery blower charging | 300 | 5.4¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Corded blower | 1,200 | 22¢ | 1.5¢ | $0.47 | $3 |
At 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 6 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 | 0.17 | 3.1¢ | $0.94 | $11 |
| 2 hours | 0.34 | 6.2¢ | $1.88 | $23 |
| 4 hours | 0.69 | 12¢ | $3.75 | $45 |
| 8 hours | 1.37 | 25¢ | $7.51 | $90 |
| 12 hours | 2.06 | 37¢ | $11.26 | $135 |
| 24 hours | 4.11 | 74¢ | $22.53 | $270 |
Cost to run a leaf blower in every state
The same leaf blower costs $2 a year in North Dakota and $7 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¢ | 15¢ | $0.32 | $2 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 15¢ | $0.33 | $2 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 15¢ | $0.34 | $2 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 16¢ | $0.34 | $2 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 16¢ | $0.35 | $2 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 16¢ | $0.35 | $2 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 16¢ | $0.35 | $2 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 16¢ | $0.35 | $2 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 16¢ | $0.36 | $2 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 17¢ | $0.36 | $2 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 17¢ | $0.36 | $2 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 17¢ | $0.36 | $2 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 17¢ | $0.37 | $2 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 17¢ | $0.37 | $2 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 17¢ | $0.37 | $2 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 17¢ | $0.37 | $2 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 18¢ | $0.39 | $2 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 18¢ | $0.39 | $2 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 18¢ | $0.39 | $2 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 18¢ | $0.39 | $2 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 18¢ | $0.40 | $2 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 18¢ | $0.40 | $2 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 18¢ | $0.40 | $2 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 19¢ | $0.40 | $2 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 19¢ | $0.40 | $2 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 19¢ | $0.41 | $2 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 19¢ | $0.42 | $2 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 19¢ | $0.42 | $3 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 20¢ | $0.43 | $3 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 20¢ | $0.43 | $3 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 20¢ | $0.43 | $3 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 20¢ | $0.44 | $3 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 21¢ | $0.46 | $3 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 22¢ | $0.48 | $3 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 22¢ | $0.49 | $3 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 23¢ | $0.49 | $3 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 25¢ | $0.54 | $3 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 25¢ | $0.55 | $3 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 25¢ | $0.55 | $3 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 29¢ | $0.62 | $4 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 29¢ | $0.62 | $4 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 29¢ | $0.63 | $4 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 32¢ | $0.70 | $4 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 32¢ | $0.70 | $4 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 34¢ | $0.73 | $4 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 34¢ | $0.74 | $4 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 35¢ | $0.76 | $5 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 35¢ | $0.76 | $5 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 37¢ | $0.79 | $5 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 40¢ | $0.86 | $5 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 52¢ | $1.14 | $7 |
How to cut the cost
- Use a rake or broom for small areas and the blower only for big leaf piles.
- Blow on lower speed; air power rises steeply with fan speed.
- Mulch leaves with the mower instead of blowing them.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Less runtime at lower power than corded models for typical yards.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaf blower | 1,200 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year | $0.47 | $3 |
| String trimmer | 500 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 7 months a year | $0.20 | $1 |
| Electric lawn mower (corded) | 1,400 | 45 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 7 months a year | $0.82 | $6 |
| Pressure washer | 1,800 | 1 hour a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year | $1.41 | $8 |
| Electric snow blower | 1,700 | 45 minutes a day, 2 days a week for 4 months a year | $1.99 | $8 |
| Electric chainsaw | 1,800 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year | $0.70 | $4 |
| Hedge trimmer | 500 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 5 months a year | $0.20 | $1 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a leaf blower per hour?
A leaf blower drawing 1,200 watts uses 1.20 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 22¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 15¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 52¢.
How much does it cost to run a leaf blower per month?
At typical use (30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year), a leaf blower costs about $0.47 a month while in use and $3 a year over the 6 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 leaf blower use?
Most leaf blowers use 300 to 1,500 watts, depending on the setting (battery blower charging 300 W, corded blower 1,200 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a leaf blower use?
About 0.09 kWh a day and 16 kWh a year at typical use (30 minutes a day, 1 days a week for 6 months a year).
Does a leaf blower use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 16 kWh a year it's a small share (0.1%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a leaf blower or a string trimmer?
At typical use, a leaf blower costs about $3 a year versus $1 for a string trimmer. So the string trimmer 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 leaf blower?
- Use a rake or broom for small areas and the blower only for big leaf piles.
- Blow on lower speed; air power rises steeply with fan speed.
- Mulch leaves with the mower instead of blowing them.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.