How much does it cost to run a whole house fan?
A whole house fan costs about 5.4¢ per hour, 27¢ a day, $8.21 a month and $41 a year at typical use (5 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Modern whole house fans like QuietCool draw about 100-400 W; older belt-drive units use 500-700 W. Running one in the evening can replace several hours of central AC at 3,500 W.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 150 | 2.7¢ | 13¢ | $4.11 | $21 |
| High | 300 | 5.4¢ | 27¢ | $8.21 | $41 |
| Older belt-drive | 600 | 11¢ | 54¢ | $16.43 | $82 |
At 5 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 | 0.30 | 5.4¢ | $1.64 | $20 |
| 2 hours | 0.60 | 11¢ | $3.29 | $39 |
| 4 hours | 1.20 | 22¢ | $6.57 | $79 |
| 8 hours | 2.40 | 43¢ | $13.14 | $158 |
| 12 hours | 3.60 | 65¢ | $19.71 | $237 |
| 24 hours | 7.20 | $1.30 | $39.43 | $473 |
Cost to run a whole house fan in every state
The same whole house fan costs $28 a year in North Dakota and $99 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¢ | 3.7¢ | $5.62 | $28 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 3.8¢ | $5.78 | $29 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 3.9¢ | $5.87 | $29 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 3.9¢ | $5.93 | $30 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 4.0¢ | $6.08 | $30 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 4.0¢ | $6.10 | $30 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 4.0¢ | $6.13 | $31 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 4.1¢ | $6.19 | $31 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 4.1¢ | $6.25 | $31 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 4.2¢ | $6.32 | $32 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 4.2¢ | $6.36 | $32 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 4.2¢ | $6.37 | $32 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 4.2¢ | $6.40 | $32 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 4.2¢ | $6.45 | $32 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 4.2¢ | $6.45 | $32 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 4.3¢ | $6.48 | $32 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 4.4¢ | $6.74 | $34 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 4.4¢ | $6.74 | $34 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 4.5¢ | $6.89 | $34 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 4.5¢ | $6.90 | $35 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 4.6¢ | $6.99 | $35 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 4.6¢ | $7.03 | $35 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 4.6¢ | $7.03 | $35 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 4.6¢ | $7.07 | $35 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 4.7¢ | $7.08 | $35 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 4.7¢ | $7.14 | $36 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 4.8¢ | $7.29 | $36 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 4.9¢ | $7.41 | $37 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 4.9¢ | $7.51 | $38 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 4.9¢ | $7.52 | $38 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 5.0¢ | $7.57 | $38 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 5.1¢ | $7.73 | $39 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 5.3¢ | $8.12 | $41 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 5.5¢ | $8.33 | $42 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 5.6¢ | $8.56 | $43 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 5.6¢ | $8.58 | $43 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 6.2¢ | $9.45 | $47 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 6.3¢ | $9.60 | $48 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 6.3¢ | $9.61 | $48 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 7.1¢ | $10.86 | $54 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 7.1¢ | $10.87 | $54 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 7.3¢ | $11.05 | $55 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 8.0¢ | $12.18 | $61 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 8.1¢ | $12.26 | $61 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 8.4¢ | $12.78 | $64 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 8.5¢ | $12.96 | $65 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 8.8¢ | $13.36 | $67 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 8.8¢ | $13.38 | $67 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 9.1¢ | $13.89 | $69 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 9.9¢ | $15.06 | $75 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 13¢ | $19.87 | $99 |
How to cut the cost
- Run it only when outside air is at least 3-5°F cooler than inside, typically evening through early morning.
- Open windows in the rooms you want cooled, about 2-3 sq ft of opening per 1,000 CFM.
- Close windows and blinds in the morning to trap the cool air for the day.
- Make sure the damper or insulated cover seals in winter to prevent heat loss.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Stops winter heat loss through the fan opening.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole house fan | 300 | 5 hours a day for 5 months a year | $8.21 | $41 |
| Attic fan | 300 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $9.20 | $46 |
| Window fan | 60 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $2.63 | $13 |
| Central air conditioner | 3,500 | 12 hours a day for 5 months a year | $103 | $517 |
| Ceiling fan | 40 | 8 hours a day | $1.84 | $22 |
| Warm mist humidifier | 300 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $9.20 | $46 |
| Drum fan | 250 | 4 hours a day, 4 days a week for 5 months a year | $3.13 | $16 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a whole house fan per hour?
A whole house fan drawing 300 watts uses 0.30 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 5.4¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 3.7¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 13¢.
How much does it cost to run a whole house fan per month?
At typical use (5 hours a day for 5 months a year), a whole house fan costs about $8.21 a month while in use and $41 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 whole house fan use?
Most whole house fans use 100 to 700 watts, depending on the setting (low 150 W, high 300 W, older belt-drive 600 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a whole house fan use?
About 1.50 kWh a day and 228 kWh a year at typical use (5 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does a whole house fan use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 228 kWh a year it's a small share (2.2%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a whole house fan or an attic fan?
At typical use, a whole house fan costs about $41 a year versus $46 for an attic fan. So the whole house 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 whole house fan?
- Run it only when outside air is at least 3-5°F cooler than inside, typically evening through early morning.
- Open windows in the rooms you want cooled, about 2-3 sq ft of opening per 1,000 CFM.
- Close windows and blinds in the morning to trap the cool air for the day.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.