How Much Does It Cost to Run an Electric Fan?

Summary: Running an electric fan is far more cost-effective than using an air conditioner. Learn how wattage, usage hours, and electricity rates affect fan energy consumption. Follow these tips to minimize costs and optimize efficiency.

Main Points:

• Electric fans use significantly less energy than air conditioners.
• Key cost factors: wattage, usage hours, and electricity rates.
• Calculate energy costs using the formula: (1000/Wattage) × Usage Hours × Electricity Rate.
• Reduce costs with energy-efficient fans, strategic placement, and clean appliances.
• Compare electricity rates on EnergyPricing.com to save even more.

It’s a scorcher out there, and you need some relief from the oppressive heat. Opening the windows just isn’t cutting it. You know the electric costs associated with air conditioners are incredibly high. Then, your mind alights on a tried-and-true option: an easy, breezy electric fan.

How much does an electric fan cost to run? Is it worth it to choose a fan over an air conditioning unit? Are some electric fans more efficient and affordable than others?

Electric fans use considerably less energy than a power-hungry AC, but they do require electricity to run. In this guide, we’ll explain how to calculate the costs of running your favorite fan. We’ll also break down the factors that drive up (or significantly reduce) energy costs.

Keep reading to learn all there is to know about electric fan energy consumption.

Determining the cost of running an electric fan comes down to three major factors:

• Wattage of the Fan: Typically printed on the fan's label or in its user manual.
• Usage Hours: The number of hours the fan runs daily or weekly.
• Electricity Rate: Cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) from your energy provider.

Let’s break down these elements further so you can understand why your fan is driving up your bill.

The wattage of the average electric fan depends on the size, type, and speed setting you use. They can range from 30 watts on the low end to 100 watts on the high end. That might seem like a lot, but compare your fan’s wattage to an air conditioning unit. Those can sometimes exceed 4,000 watts per hour!

Consider opting for a low-wattage, energy-saving electric fan. Look for the ENERGY STAR logo on your appliance. That logo means the fan was inspected by a government agency and found to be more efficient than similar fans.

How many hours per day do you run your fan? Do you run it continuously? Is it running all night long? Do you turn it off when you leave the room?

The longer your fan runs, the more energy it consumes.

Be aware that, even when switched off, appliances draw some energy when plugged in. To optimize savings, unplug your fan when not in use.

The region where you live may also make running your fan at certain times of day more expensive. Many areas have variability in electricity rates depending on the time of day or time of year.

For example, electricity rates tend to be higher in the winter and summer. That’s because there is more demand for heating and cooling. Using your electric fan during peak hours in the summer may incur a higher rate.

A kilowatt-hour is equal to 1,000 watts of power used for one hour. Most electricity companies charge homeowners per kWh. Thus, using a high-wattage appliance for a long period of time will drive up your energy bill.

You can often save money by opting for low-wattage appliances or using your appliances less often. That includes your electric fan.

If you live in a deregulated energy state, you may be able to find a lower electricity rate. Consider using an online energy marketplace to compare your rate with other rates in your region. You might be able to find a more affordable plan that’s a better fit for your lifestyle. You can even switch to a more sustainable renewable energy plan.

You can calculate how much it costs to run an electric fan using the following formula:

(1000/Wattage​) × Usage Hours × Electricity Rate = Cost

For example, imagine that you pay $0.15 per kWh for electricity. You like to run a 50-watt fan while you sleep. That means your 50-watt fan is running for about 8 consecutive hours per day.

Here’s how to do it:

1. First, convert your wattage to kilowatts by dividing by 1000. 50/1000 =0.05kW.
2. Then, calculate your daily energy consumption in kWh by multiplying the kW (above) by your usage hours (8). 0.05kW×8hours=0.4kWh.
3. Next, calculate the daily cost by multiplying your daily energy consumption (0.4kWh) by your electricity rate ($0.15/kWh). 0.4kWh×0.15$/kWh=$0.06
4. Finally, calculate your monthly energy cost. Assuming the month has 30 days, simply multiply your daily cost ($0.06) by 30. 0.06$×30=$1.80

In this example, running your electric fan costs you an additional $1.80 per month. You can use the same formula to calculate how much it would cost you to run an air conditioner or other cooling element. That can help you make the wisest financial decision for your lifestyle.

Be aware that the above calculation is per appliance. If you have a fan running in multiple bedrooms, you will pay an additional $1.80 per fan per month.

Furthermore, the above calculation is only an estimate. If your utility company uses a variable rate plan, the formula may be more complex.

Here are a few tips that can help you reduce your monthly energy costs if you choose to use a fan to cool your home.

• Shop Smarter. Purchase energy-efficient fans with adjustable speed settings. Using the lowest speed setting necessary to use the minimum amount of electricity.
• Strategic Placement. Optimize placement for better airflow to reduce runtime.
• Smart Sustainability. Turn off fans when leaving the room. They are intended to cool people, not rooms. They won’t impact the air temperature if there is nobody in the room to feel the breeze.
• Size Matters. Use a smaller fan for small rooms and a larger fan only when necessary.
• Automate for Savings. Set a timer to turn the fan off after you fall asleep, or use a smart plug for automated scheduling.
• Keep Things Clean. Dusty blades make the fan less efficient. Clean your appliances regularly to maintain optimal performance.

A few dollars per month doesn’t seem like much, but it does add up. That’s especially true if you run a lot of appliances, like televisions and hot water heaters. You can enjoy more savings by practicing energy-conscious habits and investing in efficient appliances throughout your home.

The simplest way to save money on electricity is to start with the lowest possible rate. Browse the energy marketplace at EnergyPricing.com to browse affordable rates and plans in your region. You can switch to a lower rate in under two minutes. Just enter your zip code to get started.