Ceiling Fan cost calculator
Find it on the label.
Use the price from your bill if you know it.
Cost to run this device
Cost = watts divided by 1,000, times hours, times your price per kWh. It covers energy only, not the cost of buying the device.
Typical draw
60 W
Range 10 to 90 W
Hours a day
8
Assumed day of use
Energy a month
15 kWh
0.48 kWh a day
Cost a month
$2.51
At 17.23 cents per kWh
What a ceiling fan costs to run
| Period | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| One hour of running | 0.060 kWh | 1.03 cents |
| One day (8 hours) | 0.48 kWh | $0.08 |
| One month (30.4 days) | 15 kWh | $2.51 |
| One year (6 months of use) | 88 kWh | $15 |
Source: Planning watts of 60 and 8 hours a day, hours of running time a day. Price: 17.23 cents per kWh, the 2025 US residential average from EIA Form EIA-861.
The monthly cost is 2% of the $150.68 average US electric bill. Because it runs only about 6 months a year, the yearly cost is 6 times the monthly figure, not twelve.
Three real-life cases
One figure cannot fit every home. These three cases show how much the answer moves with the equipment and the hours.
| Case | Watts | Hours a day | kWh a month | Cost a month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient DC-motor fan | 15 | 8 | 4 | $0.63 |
| Typical fan on medium | 60 | 8 | 15 | $2.51 |
| Older fan on high all day | 90 | 16 | 44 | $7.54 |
The lowest case costs $1 a month and the highest $8. Use the calculator above to match your own.
What it costs in other states
The same ceiling fan costs different amounts depending on the state, because the price per kWh differs. Here are the three cheapest states, the US average and the three costliest, for the same 15 kWh a month.
| Place | Cents per kWh | Cost a month |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 11.82 | $1.72 |
| Idaho | 11.83 | $1.73 |
| Nebraska | 12.05 | $1.76 |
| United States average | 17.23 | $2.51 |
| Hawaii | 40.40 | $5.89 |
| California | 31.35 | $4.57 |
| Massachusetts | 30.41 | $4.44 |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-861 (final 2025 data). Price is residential revenue divided by sales and includes fixed charges.
See electricity rates in every state to find your own.
How a ceiling fan uses electricity
A ceiling fan has a small motor, and lights built into the fixture can add more draw than the motor. The cooling effect is on people, not on the room temperature, so a fan only helps while someone is in the room.
Fans cost little to run, and a fan with an efficient motor uses less. The speed setting changes the draw a lot, because power rises quickly with speed.
The range for this kind of appliance runs from about 10 to 90 watts. At 8 hours a day that is $0 to $4 a month, which is why checking the label on yours is worth the minute.
Ways to cut the cost of a ceiling fan
- Set the fan to run counterclockwise in summer.
- Raise the thermostat a few degrees when the fan is on.
- Turn it off when you leave the room.
Next step: Air conditioner costs. For general ideas, read how to lower your electric bill.
Other appliances in the cooling group: Air Conditioner, Window Air Conditioner, Central Air Conditioner, Portable Air Conditioner, Mini-Split Heat Pump, Whole-House Fan.
How we got these numbers
The cost is watts divided by 1,000, times hours, times your price per kWh. The 60 watts is a planning figure for this kind of appliance, set from typical product ratings, and the 8 hours is an assumed day of use. Neither is copied from a federal table. Federal guidance describes the method and warns that real wattage varies, so we publish our own typical ranges and label them as such. Prices come from EIA Form EIA-861 for 2025.
The calculation is the standard one used in the U.S. Department of Energy's consumer guidance on estimating appliance energy use. Wattage varies by product age and features, so the label on your own appliance beats any average. Read more in our methodology.
Ceiling Fan cost questions
How much does it cost to run a ceiling fan all day?
A 60 watt fan running 24 hours uses 1.44 kWh, which you multiply by your price per kWh. That is far less than the cost of running air conditioning.
Does a ceiling fan save money on air conditioning?
It can, because the breeze lets you set the thermostat a few degrees higher at the same comfort. It only helps while people are in the room.
How much does a ceiling fan cost to run per hour?
At 60 watts and the 2025 US average price of 17.23 cents per kWh, about 1.03 cents an hour. Use your own price to get your own figure.
How many kWh does a ceiling fan use in a month?
About 15 kWh for 8 hours of use a day over 30.4 days at 60 watts. A different wattage or schedule changes the total in proportion.