Cooling

Fan Running Cost Calculator

Fans use a tiny fraction of the power of air conditioning. Enter the wattage and run time to see just how cheap they are.

Your details

W

Desk/box fans ~25–75 W; large pedestal/tower ~50–100 W.

h
days
$ /kWh

Results

Cost per day’s use
Cost per month
Cost per summer

Last updated June 30, 2026. Results update automatically as you type.

How it works

Daily cost = watts ÷ 1000 × hours per day × rate. Monthly = daily × 30.4. Seasonal cost = daily × days used per year. Even running all night, a fan typically costs a few cents — far less than air conditioning.

Frequently asked questions

Is a fan cheaper than AC?

Dramatically — a fan might use 50 W while an AC unit uses 1,000+ W. For mild heat, a fan can cost 1–2% of running AC.

Does a fan actually cool a room?

It cools you, not the room, by helping sweat evaporate. Turn it off when you leave to avoid wasting power.

Tower vs pedestal vs ceiling?

Power and effectiveness vary, but all are cheap. Ceiling fans are efficient for whole-room air movement; check the wattage on yours.

These calculators provide general estimates for educational purposes only and are not financial advice. Real-world results depend on factors not captured here. Verify figures independently before making any purchase or financial decision.

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