How much does it cost to run an outdoor inflatable decoration?
An outdoor inflatable decoration costs about 2.7¢ per hour, 16¢ a day, $4.93 a month and $15 a year at typical use (6 hours a day for 3 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Inflatables run a constant blower fan of about 60-300 W plus LED lights; they must run continuously to stay up.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (4-6 ft) | 80 | 1.4¢ | 8.6¢ | $2.63 | $8 |
| Medium (8 ft) | 150 | 2.7¢ | 16¢ | $4.93 | $15 |
| Giant (12 ft+) | 300 | 5.4¢ | 32¢ | $9.86 | $30 |
At 6 hours a day for 3 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 | 0.15 | 2.7¢ | $0.82 | $10 |
| 2 hours | 0.30 | 5.4¢ | $1.64 | $20 |
| 4 hours | 0.60 | 11¢ | $3.29 | $39 |
| 8 hours | 1.20 | 22¢ | $6.57 | $79 |
| 12 hours | 1.80 | 32¢ | $9.86 | $118 |
| 24 hours | 3.60 | 65¢ | $19.71 | $237 |
Cost to run an outdoor inflatable decoration in every state
The same outdoor inflatable decoration costs $10 a year in North Dakota and $36 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¢ | 1.8¢ | $3.37 | $10 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 1.9¢ | $3.47 | $10 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 1.9¢ | $3.52 | $11 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 1.9¢ | $3.56 | $11 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 2.0¢ | $3.65 | $11 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 2.0¢ | $3.66 | $11 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 2.0¢ | $3.68 | $11 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 2.0¢ | $3.71 | $11 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 2.1¢ | $3.75 | $11 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 2.1¢ | $3.79 | $11 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 2.1¢ | $3.81 | $11 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 2.1¢ | $3.82 | $11 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 2.1¢ | $3.84 | $12 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 2.1¢ | $3.87 | $12 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 2.1¢ | $3.87 | $12 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 2.1¢ | $3.89 | $12 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 2.2¢ | $4.05 | $12 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 2.2¢ | $4.05 | $12 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 2.3¢ | $4.13 | $12 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 2.3¢ | $4.14 | $12 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 2.3¢ | $4.20 | $13 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 2.3¢ | $4.22 | $13 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 2.3¢ | $4.22 | $13 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 2.3¢ | $4.24 | $13 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 2.3¢ | $4.25 | $13 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 2.3¢ | $4.28 | $13 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 2.4¢ | $4.37 | $13 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 2.4¢ | $4.44 | $13 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 2.5¢ | $4.50 | $14 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 2.5¢ | $4.51 | $14 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 2.5¢ | $4.54 | $14 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 2.5¢ | $4.64 | $14 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 2.7¢ | $4.87 | $15 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 2.7¢ | $5.00 | $15 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 2.8¢ | $5.13 | $15 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 2.8¢ | $5.15 | $15 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 3.1¢ | $5.67 | $17 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 3.2¢ | $5.76 | $17 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 3.2¢ | $5.77 | $17 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 3.6¢ | $6.51 | $20 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 3.6¢ | $6.52 | $20 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 3.6¢ | $6.63 | $20 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 4.0¢ | $7.31 | $22 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 4.0¢ | $7.36 | $22 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 4.2¢ | $7.67 | $23 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 4.3¢ | $7.78 | $23 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 4.4¢ | $8.02 | $24 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 4.4¢ | $8.03 | $24 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 4.6¢ | $8.34 | $25 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 4.9¢ | $9.04 | $27 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 6.5¢ | $11.92 | $36 |
How to cut the cost
- Run inflatables on a timer for evening hours only.
- Choose fewer, larger displays rather than many small blowers.
- Bring them down after the holiday instead of leaving them deflated but plugged in.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Covers the house in moving lights for 5-10 W.
See options on AmazonLimits blower run time to evenings.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor inflatable decoration | 150 | 6 hours a day for 3 months a year | $4.93 | $15 |
| Christmas lights | 5 | 6 hours a day for 3 months a year | $0.16 | $0 |
| Christmas light projector | 8 | 6 hours a day for 4 months a year | $0.26 | $1 |
| Fog machine | 400 | 4 hours a day, 1 days a week for 1 months a year | $0.75 | $1 |
| Pre-lit Christmas tree | 40 | 6 hours a day for 3 months a year | $1.31 | $4 |
| 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 an outdoor inflatable decoration per hour?
An outdoor inflatable decoration drawing 150 watts uses 0.15 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 2.7¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 1.8¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 6.5¢.
How much does it cost to run an outdoor inflatable decoration per month?
At typical use (6 hours a day for 3 months a year), an outdoor inflatable decoration costs about $4.93 a month while in use and $15 a year over the 3 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 an outdoor inflatable decoration use?
Most outdoor inflatable decorations use 60 to 400 watts, depending on the setting (small (4-6 ft) 80 W, medium (8 ft) 150 W, giant (12 ft+) 300 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an outdoor inflatable decoration use?
About 0.90 kWh a day and 82 kWh a year at typical use (6 hours a day for 3 months a year).
Does an outdoor inflatable decoration use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 82 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 an outdoor inflatable decoration or a christmas lights?
At typical use, an outdoor inflatable decoration costs about $15 a year versus $0 for a christmas lights. So the christmas lights 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 an outdoor inflatable decoration?
- Run inflatables on a timer for evening hours only.
- Choose fewer, larger displays rather than many small blowers.
- Bring them down after the holiday instead of leaving them deflated but plugged in.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.