How much does it cost to run a misting fan?
A misting fan costs about 1.8¢ per hour, 4.1¢ a day, $1.25 a month and $6 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. Misting fans add a small water pump or atomizer to an outdoor fan and draw about 30-300 W.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.06 | 1.0¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| 2 hours | 0.11 | 2.1¢ | $0.63 | $8 |
| 4 hours | 0.23 | 4.1¢ | $1.25 | $15 |
| 8 hours | 0.46 | 8.2¢ | $2.50 | $30 |
| 12 hours | 0.69 | 12¢ | $3.75 | $45 |
| 24 hours | 1.37 | 25¢ | $7.51 | $90 |
Cost to run a misting fan in every state
The same misting fan costs $4 a year in North Dakota and $15 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¢ | 1.2¢ | $0.86 | $4 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 1.3¢ | $0.88 | $4 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 1.3¢ | $0.89 | $4 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 1.3¢ | $0.90 | $5 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 1.3¢ | $0.93 | $5 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 1.3¢ | $0.93 | $5 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 1.3¢ | $0.93 | $5 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 1.4¢ | $0.94 | $5 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 1.4¢ | $0.95 | $5 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 1.4¢ | $0.96 | $5 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 1.4¢ | $0.97 | $5 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 1.4¢ | $0.97 | $5 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 1.4¢ | $0.97 | $5 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 1.4¢ | $0.98 | $5 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 1.4¢ | $0.98 | $5 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 1.4¢ | $0.99 | $5 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.03 | $5 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.03 | $5 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.05 | $5 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.05 | $5 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.07 | $5 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.07 | $5 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.07 | $5 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.08 | $5 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 1.6¢ | $1.08 | $5 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 1.6¢ | $1.09 | $5 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 1.6¢ | $1.11 | $6 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 1.6¢ | $1.13 | $6 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 1.6¢ | $1.14 | $6 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 1.6¢ | $1.15 | $6 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 1.7¢ | $1.15 | $6 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 1.7¢ | $1.18 | $6 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 1.8¢ | $1.24 | $6 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 1.8¢ | $1.27 | $6 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 1.9¢ | $1.30 | $7 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 1.9¢ | $1.31 | $7 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 2.1¢ | $1.44 | $7 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 2.1¢ | $1.46 | $7 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 2.1¢ | $1.46 | $7 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 2.4¢ | $1.65 | $8 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 2.4¢ | $1.66 | $8 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 2.4¢ | $1.68 | $8 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 2.7¢ | $1.86 | $9 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 2.7¢ | $1.87 | $9 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 2.8¢ | $1.95 | $10 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 2.8¢ | $1.98 | $10 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 2.9¢ | $2.04 | $10 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 2.9¢ | $2.04 | $10 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 3.0¢ | $2.12 | $11 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 3.3¢ | $2.30 | $11 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 4.4¢ | $3.03 | $15 |
How to cut the cost
- Use it in dry heat; in humidity above 60% misting makes surfaces wet without much cooling.
- Run it only while people are outside, using a timer.
- Clean nozzles with vinegar monthly so mist stays fine.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Uses household water pressure with no electricity.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Misting fan | 100 | 4 hours a day, 4 days a week for 5 months a year | $1.25 | $6 |
| Evaporative cooler | 150 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $6.57 | $33 |
| Pedestal fan | 50 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $2.19 | $11 |
| Electric patio heater | 1,500 | 3 hours a day, 3 days a week for 5 months a year | $10.56 | $53 |
| Box fan | 75 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $3.29 | $16 |
| Radon fan | 70 | 24 hours a day | $9.20 | $110 |
| Large room HEPA air purifier | 70 | 24 hours a day | $9.20 | $110 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a misting fan per hour?
A misting fan drawing 100 watts uses 0.10 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 1.8¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 1.2¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 4.4¢.
How much does it cost to run a misting fan per month?
At typical use (4 hours a day, 4 days a week for 5 months a year), a misting fan costs about $1.25 a month while in use and $6 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 misting fan use?
Most misting fans use 30 to 300 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a misting fan use?
About 0.23 kWh a day and 35 kWh a year at typical use (4 hours a day, 4 days a week for 5 months a year).
Does a misting fan use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 35 kWh a year it's a small share (0.3%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a misting fan or an evaporative cooler?
At typical use, a misting fan costs about $6 a year versus $33 for an evaporative cooler. So the misting fan is cheaper by about $27 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a misting fan?
- Use it in dry heat; in humidity above 60% misting makes surfaces wet without much cooling.
- Run it only while people are outside, using a timer.
- Clean nozzles with vinegar monthly so mist stays fine.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.