Ceiling fan: electricity cost calculator
Quick answer: a typical ceiling fan costs about $3/month while in use at the U.S. average electricity price (18.44¢/kWh) across a 6-month season (about $16/year). Your number depends on wattage, runtime and your state — calculate it below.
Ceiling fans draw 20–100 W depending on size and speed. They don't cool the air, but the wind-chill effect lets most people raise the AC thermostat 2–4°F, which saves far more than the fan costs.
0.48 kWh/day used · 15 kWh/month in use · 88 kWh/year at 18.44¢ per kWh (6 months of use per year)
Low, typical and heavy use
Monthly cost while in use, at the U.S. average price of 18.44¢/kWh.
| Scenario | Watts | Hours/day | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light use | 20 W | 4.8 h | $0.54 |
| Typical | 60 W | 8.0 h | $2.69 |
| Heavy use | 100 W | 12.0 h | $6.74 |
Common questions
Should I leave ceiling fans on when nobody is home?
No. Fans cool people, not rooms — running one in an empty room only adds heat from the motor. Turn them off when you leave.
Cost in every state
Monthly cost of a typical ceiling fan (60 W, 8h/day) at each state's average residential price, May 2026.
| State | Avg price | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.77¢ | $2.45 |
| Alaska | 28.23¢ | $4.12 |
| Arizona | 15.23¢ | $2.23 |
| Arkansas | 14.36¢ | $2.10 |
| California | 33.25¢ | $4.86 |
| Colorado | 16.16¢ | $2.36 |
| Connecticut | 27.37¢ | $4.00 |
| Delaware | 19.38¢ | $2.83 |
| District of Columbia | 25.40¢ | $3.71 |
| Florida | 15.17¢ | $2.22 |
| Georgia | 15.84¢ | $2.31 |
| Hawaii | 52.00¢ | $7.60 |
| Idaho | 12.35¢ | $1.80 |
| Illinois | 23.85¢ | $3.48 |
| Indiana | 18.15¢ | $2.65 |
| Iowa | 14.14¢ | $2.07 |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | $2.21 |
| Kentucky | 14.98¢ | $2.19 |
| Louisiana | 14.15¢ | $2.07 |
| Maine | 28.63¢ | $4.18 |
| Maryland | 21.77¢ | $3.18 |
| Massachusetts | 28.82¢ | $4.21 |
| Michigan | 22.01¢ | $3.22 |
| Minnesota | 16.95¢ | $2.48 |
| Mississippi | 16.16¢ | $2.36 |
| Missouri | 13.68¢ | $2.00 |
| Montana | 14.67¢ | $2.14 |
| Nebraska | 13.59¢ | $1.99 |
| Nevada | 13.60¢ | $1.99 |
| New Hampshire | 27.33¢ | $3.99 |
| New Jersey | 23.27¢ | $3.40 |
| New Mexico | 14.12¢ | $2.06 |
| New York | 29.93¢ | $4.37 |
| North Carolina | 15.09¢ | $2.20 |
| North Dakota | 13.61¢ | $1.99 |
| Ohio | 19.52¢ | $2.85 |
| Oklahoma | 13.38¢ | $1.95 |
| Oregon | 16.27¢ | $2.38 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.55¢ | $3.15 |
| Rhode Island | 29.46¢ | $4.30 |
| South Carolina | 16.18¢ | $2.36 |
| South Dakota | 15.73¢ | $2.30 |
| Tennessee | 14.47¢ | $2.11 |
| Texas | 16.44¢ | $2.40 |
| Utah | 12.96¢ | $1.89 |
| Vermont | 24.89¢ | $3.64 |
| Virginia | 17.61¢ | $2.57 |
| Washington | 14.95¢ | $2.18 |
| West Virginia | 16.80¢ | $2.45 |
| Wisconsin | 19.74¢ | $2.88 |
| Wyoming | 14.80¢ | $2.16 |
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Methodology & sources
Cost = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × price per kWh. Electricity prices are average residential prices by state from the EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (May 2026). EIA averages include delivery charges and taxes but are not any specific utility tariff — for an exact figure, use the rate from your own bill. Wattage presets reflect common product ranges; check your appliance's nameplate or a plug-in power meter for its true draw.
Last verified: July 30, 2026. Prices refresh automatically each month when EIA publishes new data.