WattCostCalc

How Much Does A Box Fan Cost to Run?

A box fan typically uses 75 watts. At 8 hours a day and $0.175/kWh, it costs about $0.105 per day, $3.15 per month and $38.33 per year.

$3.15 per monthat $0.175/kWh

Calculate your own cost

Hours per day:
$0.105per day
Per hour
$0.0130.08 kWh
Per day
$0.1050.6 kWh
Per week
$0.7354.2 kWh
Per month (30 days)
$3.1518 kWh
Per year
$38.33219 kWh

Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × rate. Edit any box and every number updates instantly.

People also ask

How much does a 75-watt box fan cost per hour?

At $0.175/kWh, it costs $0.013 per hour. The maths: 75 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.08 kWh per hour, × $0.175 = $0.013.

How much does it cost per month?

Used 8 hours a day for 30 days, it costs about $3.15 per month and uses 18 kWh. Change the hours in the calculator above to match how you use it.

How many kWh does it use?

0.6 kWh per day, 18 kWh per month and 219 kWh per year at 8 hours a day. A kWh is one kilowatt (1,000 W) used for one hour. It is the unit on your electricity bill.

How can I lower the cost?

Use the low setting at night. Speed costs more than you would expect. Check your bill for the exact rate and enter it above.

Does my electricity rate change the answer?

Yes, a lot. At 10¢ per kWh the monthly cost is $1.80 and at 30¢ it is $5.40. Find your rate on your bill (total cost ÷ kWh used) and type it into the calculator.

Cost by hours of use

Used per dayEnergy per dayCost per dayCost per monthCost per year
1 hour0.08 kWh$0.013$0.394$4.79
2 hours0.15 kWh$0.026$0.788$9.58
3 hours0.23 kWh$0.039$1.18$14.37
4 hours0.3 kWh$0.053$1.58$19.16
5 hours0.38 kWh$0.066$1.97$23.95
6 hours0.45 kWh$0.079$2.36$28.74
7 hours0.53 kWh$0.092$2.76$33.53
8 hours0.6 kWh$0.105$3.15$38.33
9 hours0.68 kWh$0.118$3.54$43.12
10 hours0.75 kWh$0.131$3.94$47.91
11 hours0.83 kWh$0.144$4.33$52.70
12 hours0.9 kWh$0.158$4.73$57.49
13 hours0.98 kWh$0.171$5.12$62.28
14 hours1.05 kWh$0.184$5.51$67.07
15 hours1.13 kWh$0.197$5.91$71.86
16 hours1.2 kWh$0.21$6.30$76.65
17 hours1.28 kWh$0.223$6.69$81.44
18 hours1.35 kWh$0.236$7.09$86.23
19 hours1.43 kWh$0.249$7.48$91.02
20 hours1.5 kWh$0.263$7.88$95.81
21 hours1.58 kWh$0.276$8.27$100.60
22 hours1.65 kWh$0.289$8.66$105.39
23 hours1.73 kWh$0.302$9.06$110.18
24 hours1.8 kWh$0.315$9.45$114.98

How we worked it out

  1. Energy per hour: 75 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.08 kWh
  2. Cost per hour: 0.08 kWh × $0.175 = $0.013
  3. Cost per day: × 8 hours = $0.105
  4. Month and year: × 30 days = $3.15, × 365 days = $38.33

What it costs in different places

Same 75-watt box fan, 8 hours a day. Only the local electricity rate changes.

PlaceRate per kWhCost per month
United States$0.175$3.15
California$0.32$5.76
Texas$0.155$2.79
New York$0.25$4.50
Florida$0.155$2.79
Illinois$0.17$3.06
Pennsylvania$0.18$3.24
Ohio$0.17$3.06
Washington$0.115$2.07

About box fan running costs

Box fans are a cheap way to move air through a room or window. Most run between 50 and 100 W.

Typical sizes: 50 W, 75 W, 100 W.

How to spend less: Use the low setting at night. Speed costs more than you would expect.

What this estimate assumes

  • The appliance draws its full stated wattage the whole time it is on. Real units with a thermostat cycle off and cost less.
  • Wattage is the typical label value, not a measured value. Check the label on your own appliance.
  • The rate is an approximate residential average. Your bill may include fixed fees, tiers or time-of-use pricing. Edit the rate above.
  • A month is 30 days and a year is 365 days.

Read the full calculation methodology

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