How much does it cost to run a pedestal fan?
A pedestal fan costs about 0.9¢ per hour, 7.2¢ a day, $2.19 a month and $11 a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. A 16-inch pedestal fan draws about 35-60 W.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 35 | 0.6¢ | 5.0¢ | $1.53 | $8 |
| Medium | 42 | 0.8¢ | 6.0¢ | $1.84 | $9 |
| High | 50 | 0.9¢ | 7.2¢ | $2.19 | $11 |
At 8 hours a day 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 | 0.05 | 0.9¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| 2 hours | 0.10 | 1.8¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| 4 hours | 0.20 | 3.6¢ | $1.10 | $13 |
| 8 hours | 0.40 | 7.2¢ | $2.19 | $26 |
| 12 hours | 0.60 | 11¢ | $3.29 | $39 |
| 24 hours | 1.20 | 22¢ | $6.57 | $79 |
Cost to run a pedestal fan in every state
The same pedestal fan costs $7 a year in North Dakota and $26 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¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.50 | $7 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.54 | $8 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.57 | $8 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.6¢ | $1.58 | $8 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.62 | $8 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.63 | $8 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.64 | $8 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.65 | $8 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.67 | $8 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.69 | $8 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.69 | $8 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.70 | $8 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.71 | $9 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.72 | $9 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.72 | $9 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.73 | $9 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.80 | $9 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.7¢ | $1.80 | $9 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.84 | $9 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.84 | $9 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.87 | $9 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.87 | $9 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.87 | $9 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.88 | $9 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.89 | $9 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.90 | $10 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.94 | $10 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.8¢ | $1.97 | $10 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.8¢ | $2.00 | $10 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.8¢ | $2.01 | $10 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.8¢ | $2.02 | $10 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.8¢ | $2.06 | $10 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.17 | $11 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.22 | $11 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.28 | $11 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.9¢ | $2.29 | $11 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 1.0¢ | $2.52 | $13 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.56 | $13 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 1.1¢ | $2.56 | $13 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.90 | $14 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.90 | $14 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 1.2¢ | $2.95 | $15 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 1.3¢ | $3.25 | $16 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 1.3¢ | $3.27 | $16 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 1.4¢ | $3.41 | $17 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 1.4¢ | $3.46 | $17 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 1.5¢ | $3.56 | $18 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 1.5¢ | $3.57 | $18 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 1.5¢ | $3.70 | $19 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 1.6¢ | $4.02 | $20 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 2.2¢ | $5.30 | $26 |
How to cut the cost
- Use the oscillation only when multiple people need air; a fixed fan at you allows a lower speed.
- Run it on low with a timer at night.
- Pair it with the AC set at 78°F rather than 74°F to save more than the fan costs.
- Clean blades twice a season.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Delivers the same breeze on 5-25 W.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pedestal fan | 50 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $2.19 | $11 |
| Box fan | 75 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $3.29 | $16 |
| Tower fan | 50 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $2.28 | $11 |
| Air circulator fan | 60 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $2.63 | $13 |
| Ceiling fan | 40 | 8 hours a day | $1.84 | $22 |
| Window fan | 60 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $2.63 | $13 |
| Bladeless fan | 40 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $1.84 | $9 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a pedestal fan per hour?
A pedestal fan drawing 50 watts uses 0.05 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.9¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.6¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 2.2¢.
How much does it cost to run a pedestal fan per month?
At typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year), a pedestal fan costs about $2.19 a month while in use and $11 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 pedestal fan use?
Most pedestal fans use 25 to 100 watts, depending on the setting (low 35 W, medium 42 W, high 50 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a pedestal fan use?
About 0.40 kWh a day and 61 kWh a year at typical use (8 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does a pedestal fan use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 61 kWh a year it's a small share (0.6%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a pedestal fan or a box fan?
At typical use, a pedestal fan costs about $11 a year versus $16 for a box fan. So the pedestal fan is cheaper by about $5 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a pedestal fan?
- Use the oscillation only when multiple people need air; a fixed fan at you allows a lower speed.
- Run it on low with a timer at night.
- Pair it with the AC set at 78°F rather than 74°F to save more than the fan costs.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.