Quick answer: most desk, pedestal and tower fans use roughly 25W to 80W, and one UK review puts most household fans at 40W to 60W. At the example rate of 26.32p per kWh, a 50W fan costs about 1.3p per hour, 10.5p for eight hours, or £3.16 for 30 days at eight hours a day, if it draws its full rated power the whole time. Ceiling fans and bathroom extractor fans often use less. These are estimates, so check your own fan’s rating plate or measure it.
Fan running-cost calculator
Enter the appliance’s rated power, how long it runs, and the unit rate from your bill. This estimates the extra electricity cost; it does not add the daily standing charge.
Estimated cost per hour: £.00
Estimated cost per day: £.00
Estimated cost for 30 days: £.00
Estimated electricity used for the period: 0.00 kWh
Estimate assumes the fan draws its rated power for every hour entered. Many units cycle on and off when air circulation is sufficient.
Last checked: 6 October 2026. The example unit rate is Ofgem’s average electricity unit rate for a standard variable tariff paid by Direct Debit in England, Scotland and Wales for 1 October to 31 December 2026: 26.32p per kWh. It excludes VAT, which the government has removed from domestic electricity until 31 March 2027, so it is not directly comparable with the previous 26.11p rate. Ofgem’s next price cap announcement is due on 25 November 2026. Your own rate can differ by region, payment method and tariff, so use the one on your bill. See Ofgem’s price cap announcement and current unit rates, or read our Ofgem price cap explainer → .
How much electricity does a fan use?
A fan’s electricity use depends on its power rating in watts (W), which is printed on the rating plate or in the manual, and on how long it runs. Electricity is billed in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kWh is the energy used by a 1,000W (1kW) appliance running for one hour, so a 50W fan uses 0.05kWh each hour and needs 20 hours to use 1kWh.
If you have searched for “how much does a fan use in electricity” or “how much electricity does a fan take”, the practical answer is that most household fans use a small amount compared with heaters or air conditioners, but the figure varies a lot by type.
Typical fan wattages
| Fan type | Example or range | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Desk, pedestal and tower fans | 1W to 60W (1W–10W on low/DC motors; 20W–60W on high/AC motors) | Official user manuals & specification sheets (Dyson, Meaco, Duux, Rowenta) |
| Tower fan examples | 2W to 56W (9.5W–24W Meaco 1056P; 34W–35W Honeywell; 56W Dyson AM07) | Honeywell Home, Dyson, and Meaco official product datasheets |
| Box fan example | 45W to 112W (20-inch) (45W–58W on low; 84W–112W on high speed 3) | Lasko Products and Holmes official technical spec sheets & nameplate ratings |
| Ceiling fan, DC motor | 1.5W to 38W(1.5W–3W on low; 15.5W–38W on high) | Big Ass Fans, Fanimation, and Lucci Air EnergyGuide labels & manuals |
| Ceiling fan, AC motor | 8W to 75W (8W–20W on low; 37W–75W on high) | Hunter Fan Co. and Westinghouse Lighting specification sheets |
| Bathroom extractor fan | 1.7W to 25W (1.7W–7W modern DC/low-carbon; 15W–25W legacy AC) | Vent-Axia, EnviroVent, and Xpelair technical datasheets |
These figures are drawn directly from official producer technical datasheets, EnergyGuide labels, and user manuals (including Dyson, Meaco, Lasko, Big Ass Fans, Hunter, and Vent-Axia) rather than editorial round-ups or retailer estimates. They reflect verified minimum-to-maximum operating ranges across both UK and global models, highlighting the significant efficiency gains of modern Brushless DC (BLDC) motors compared to traditional AC motors. Note that fans with built-in heating or air-purification features draw far more power (often 1,500W to 2,000W+ when heating) than plain cooling fans, so always verify the rating plate on the device. Additionally, labels like “12-inch” or “20-inch” refer to blade diameter rather than energy draw—motor technology is the primary factor determining actual wattage.
How to calculate a fan’s running cost
Use this formula:
Cost (£) = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours used × unit rate (£/kWh)
Worked example for a 50W fan running for eight hours at 26.32p per kWh (£0.2632):
50W = 0.05kW → 0.05 × 8 hours = 0.4kWh → 0.4 × £0.2632 = £0.105 (about 10.5p)
For a 30-day month at eight hours a day, that is 0.4kWh × 30 = 12kWh, which costs about £3.16. This is an estimate, not a forecast of your bill.
Fan cost per hour, day and month
The table assumes the fan draws its full rated power for every hour shown, at 26.32p/kWh. It shows the extra electricity cost of the appliance, not your whole bill. “Month” means 30 days at eight hours a day.
| Rated power | Per hour | 8 hours | 24 hours | 30 days at 8 hours/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20W | 0.5p | 4.2p | 12.6p | £1.26 |
| 30W | 0.8p | 6.3p | 19.0p | £1.90 |
| 50W | 1.3p | 10.5p | 31.6p | £3.16 |
| 75W | 2.0p | 15.8p | 47.4p | £4.74 |
| 100W | 2.6p | 21.1p | 63.2p | £6.32 |
Use the rated power on your own fan, not these examples. Real use is often lower than the label figure, as explained below.
Use your unit rate, not the standing charge
Your bill has two separate electricity costs:
- Unit rate: the price per kWh of electricity used. This is the figure that changes when you run a fan.
- Standing charge: a fixed daily charge that you normally pay whether or not the fan runs, so it should not be added to an appliance’s running cost. For context, Ofgem’s average price-cap standing charge for the same period is 54.83p per day.
For more detail, see electricity unit rate vs standing charge → .
Why your real cost may differ
The label wattage is a useful starting point, but it is not always your average use.
- Speed setting: the rating usually reflects the top speed, and many fans draw less on lower settings. Some DC-motor ceiling fans are listed at only a few watts on low.
- Extra features: a fan that also heats or purifies the air, or a ceiling fan with a built-in light, uses more than the fan motor alone.
- How long it really runs: timers, sleep modes and simply switching it off when you leave the room all change the hours.
- Fixed or time-of-use tariffs: your unit rate may differ from the example, and some tariffs charge different rates at different times of day.
Fan vs portable air conditioner
A fan moves air across your skin so you feel cooler. A portable air conditioner is designed to lower the room temperature, and it uses much more power. The wattages below are illustrative, with the 700W to 1,500W range taken from the T3 round-up above and 1,000W added as a midpoint.
| Appliance | Rated power | Per hour | 8 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fan | 50W | 1.3p | 10.5p |
| Portable air conditioner (low end) | 700W | 18.4p | £1.47 |
| Portable air conditioner (midpoint) | 1,000W | 26.3p | £2.11 |
| Portable air conditioner (high end) | 1,500W | 39.5p | £3.16 |
At full rated power, the air conditioner examples cost roughly 14 to 30 times as much per hour as the 50W fan. Air conditioners usually cycle on and off, so real use can be lower, and the two appliances are not like-for-like because a fan does not cool the room. A portable air conditioner is also a high-power appliance, so do not run one through a smart plug unless the plug’s maximum load and both manufacturers’ instructions allow it.
How to measure your fan’s real electricity use
For a result based on your own home, measure rather than rely on the label.
- Plug the fan into a UK Type G energy-monitoring smart plug or plug-in electricity meter, after checking the plug’s maximum load and that the fan’s manual does not rule out timers or smart plugs.
- Reset the meter and use the fan as you normally would for at least 24 hours. A week is better if you change speeds.
- Record the total kWh.
- Multiply the kWh by the unit rate on your bill.
For example, if a meter shows 0.3kWh over an evening, that is 0.3 × £0.2632 = about 8p. Do not use an extension lead just to reach the meter, and keep electrical connections dry.
Ceiling fans and most bathroom extractor fans are wired in, so they cannot be measured with a plug. Use the rating on the fan, and use a qualified electrician for any electrical work. See our step-by-step guide to measuring an appliance's electricity use → , or compare UK smart plugs with energy monitoring → .
Ways to avoid unnecessary running
Fans are usually a small part of a household’s electricity use, so these steps are about avoiding waste, not promising a saving.
- Use the lowest speed that keeps you comfortable.
- Switch the fan off when nobody is in the room, because it cools people by moving air, not the room itself.
- Use a timer or sleep mode if your fan has one.
- Remember that a ceiling fan’s light is a separate load.
- Measure a few appliances: it may help you identify where larger electricity use comes from, such as the example in our dehumidifier running cost guide → .
Frequently asked questions
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Fan 24 Hours a Day?
At 26.32p/kWh, a 50W fan running at full power for 24 hours uses 1.2kWh and costs about 31.6p, or about £9.48 over 30 days. A 30W fan costs about 19p a day (£5.69 over 30 days) and a 100W fan about 63p a day (£18.95 over 30 days). Many fans draw less than their label rating on lower speeds, so measure yours for a real figure.Will a Ceiling Fan Significantly Increase My Electric Bill?
Usually not. As an illustration, a 30W ceiling fan running eight hours a day uses 7.2kWh over 30 days and costs about £1.90 at 26.32p/kWh, and a 60W model costs about £3.79. Running them all day would roughly triple those figures, to about £5.69 and £11.37. The extra cost is the added kWh multiplied by your unit rate; the standing charge does not change.How Much Electricity Does a Box Fan Use Per Hour?
It depends on the model, so check the rating plate. One UK round-up quotes 0.075kWh per hour (75W) for a 20-inch three-speed box fan, which at 26.32p/kWh costs about 2p per hour, or 15.8p for eight hours. Lower speeds usually draw less than the top-speed figure, and a plug-in meter will show your own number.Is It Cheaper to Use a Fan or Air Conditioning?
A fan is far cheaper to run, but the two do different jobs: a fan moves air to make you feel cooler, while an air conditioner is designed to lower the room temperature. At 26.32p/kWh, a 50W fan costs about 1.3p per hour, while a portable air conditioner listed at 700W to 1,500W would cost about 18p to 39p per hour at full power. Air conditioners cycle on and off, so real use can be lower. See the comparison table above.Can Running a Fan All Night Really Cost That Much?
Usually not. Eight hours of a 30W fan costs about 6.3p, a 50W fan about 10.5p and a 100W fan about 21.1p at 26.32p/kWh, so 30 nights comes to roughly £1.90 to £6.32. Check the wattage first if the appliance also heats or purifies the air, because those can draw far more. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on running it overnight or unattended.How Much Will My Electric Bill Go Up If I Leave a Fan On?
Your bill rises by the extra kWh the fan uses multiplied by your unit rate. A 50W fan left on 24 hours a day costs about £9.48 per 30 days at 26.32p/kWh, or about £115 over a full year, while the same fan for eight hours a day costs about £3.16 per 30 days. The standing charge does not change when you run a fan: see unit rate vs standing charge.What's the Cost to Run a Tower Fan for 8 Hours?
UK examples of tower fans range from about 35W to 60W, and one round-up puts tower, desk and pedestal fans at 25W to 80W overall. At 26.32p/kWh, eight hours at full power costs about 7.4p for 35W, 10.5p for 50W and 12.6p for 60W; an 80W fan would cost about 16.8p. Speed setting and oscillation can change real use, so measure if you want an exact figure.Do Bathroom Exhaust Fans Use a Lot of Electricity?
Generally no. Vent-Axia 100mm bathroom fans listed by Screwfix are rated at 3.2W to 7.5W, and an inline fan-and-light kit at 25W. At 26.32p/kWh, a 7.5W fan running continuously costs about 4.7p a day (about £17.29 a year), and a 25W fan costs about 0.7p per hour. Most bathroom fans are wired in, so check the rating on your model and use a qualified electrician for any installation or replacement.How Many Watts Does a Typical Ceiling Fan Actually Use?
There is no single typical figure. Efficient DC-motor ceiling fans are often listed at about 25W to 40W on their top speed and only a few watts on low, while conventional AC-motor models are often quoted at around 50W to 60W on high. If the fan has a built-in light, that wattage is a separate addition. Check the rating plate or manual for your model; at 30W and 60W the cost is about 0.8p and 1.6p per hour at 26.32p/kWh.Related guides
- How to measure appliance electricity use →
- Electricity unit rate vs standing charge →
- Ofgem price cap explained →
- How much does a dehumidifier cost to run? →
- More appliance running-cost guides →
Sources (checked 6 October 2026): Ofgem: changes to the energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026; official producer technical datasheets, user manuals, and EnergyGuide labels (including Vent-Axia, Dyson, Meaco, Lasko, Big Ass Fans, Hunter, Honeywell, EnviroVent, Xpelair, Fanimation, and Westinghouse).
This guide is general information, not personalised energy, financial or electrical advice. Rates and product specifications change, so check your own bill and your fan’s rating plate. This page does not currently contain affiliate links, and we will say so clearly if that changes. See our affiliate disclosure.