How many watts does a box fan use?
Most box fans use 50–200 watts while running (typically about 100 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $1.45 a month ($17.43 a year, if used about 120 days a year).
Cost to run a box fan: calculator
Running vs starting watts
Running watts are what it draws while operating; they drive your electricity bill. It has no significant start-up surge, so size a generator or power station on running watts alone.
| Source | Running | Starting |
|---|---|---|
| Champion Power Equipment generator wattage chart | 50–200 W | — |
| Honda generator wattage chart (PDF) | 120 W | 180 W |
| U.S. DOE Energy Saver, typical appliance wattages (archived) | 55–250 W | — |
Will a power station run it?
A 1,000 Wh power station would run a typical box fan for about 8.5 hours (assuming 85% conversion efficiency). Look for at least 200 W continuous output. Check your power station or generator →
Cost by state
Based on 100 W for 8 hours a day, 120 days a year (96 kWh/yr).
Cost to run a box fan in every state
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $1.31 | $15.68 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $2.35 | $28.23 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $1.20 | $14.45 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $1.15 | $13.80 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $2.38 | $28.56 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1.37 | $16.48 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $1.96 | $23.53 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1.50 | $17.95 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $2.08 | $24.94 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $1.20 | $14.39 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $1.27 | $15.26 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $3.77 | $45.29 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $1.07 | $12.84 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $1.55 | $18.55 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1.36 | $16.34 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $1.36 | $16.38 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $1.24 | $14.85 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $1.10 | $13.25 |
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $1.03 | $12.36 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $2.57 | $30.83 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $1.71 | $20.54 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $2.44 | $29.26 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $1.84 | $22.07 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $1.38 | $16.51 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $1.15 | $13.85 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $1.28 | $15.38 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $1.25 | $14.95 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $1.08 | $13.00 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $1.02 | $12.21 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $2.21 | $26.53 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $1.97 | $23.63 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $1.32 | $15.85 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $2.29 | $27.50 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $1.20 | $14.35 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $1.06 | $12.78 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $1.55 | $18.60 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $1.19 | $14.23 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $1.27 | $15.28 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $1.74 | $20.90 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $2.25 | $27.05 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $1.26 | $15.13 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $1.21 | $14.54 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $1.07 | $12.88 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $1.27 | $15.27 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $1.06 | $12.78 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $1.91 | $22.89 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $1.41 | $16.93 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $1.17 | $14.04 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1.30 | $15.66 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $1.55 | $18.63 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $1.15 | $13.85 |
FAQ
How many watts does a box fan use?
Most box fans use 50–200 watts while running (typically about 100 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $1.45 a month ($17.43 a year, if used about 120 days a year).
How much does it cost to run a box fan?
About $1.45 a month at the U.S. average rate (18.16¢/kWh, August 2026), based on 100 W for 8 hours a day, 120 days a year (96 kWh/yr). In the cheapest state it's about $1.02 a month; in the most expensive, $3.77.
How many kWh does a box fan use?
About 96 kWh a year (8 kWh a month), based on 100 W for 8 hours a day, 120 days a year (96 kWh/yr).
Can a power station or generator run a box fan?
A 1,000 Wh power station would run a typical box fan for about 8.5 hours. Look for at least 200 W continuous output.