How Much Electric
Does a Fan Use?
Electric fans are one of the cheapest cooling options available. Even running 12 hours a day through a UK heatwave week, most domestic fans cost under £1 per day to run. This guide covers every common fan type at the current 24.7p per kWh Ofgem cap rate.
A typical UK domestic fan uses 25 to 100 watts depending on type plus speed setting. At the current Ofgem cap of 24.7p per kWh that means roughly 0.6p to 2.5p per hour. Across a 12-hour day that works out at 7p to 30p. A typical desk fan running 8 hours daily through summer costs around £4 to £7 for the whole season. Ceiling fans plus large pedestal fans on high settings sit at the upper end of the range.
The figures that matter
Desk fan
Standard 12-inch desk fan. Lower on quiet setting, higher on full power.
Tower fan
Typical UK domestic tower fan. Modern bladeless models often 30 to 60W.
Pedestal fan
Larger 16-inch oscillating pedestal fans. High setting at the top of range.
Ceiling fan
DC motor ceiling fans much more efficient than older AC motors.
Four things to consider
far cheaper than aircon
Even high-wattage fans use 5 to 10 times less electricity than portable air conditioners.
dc motors save 50%+
Modern DC motor fans use roughly half the electricity of older AC motor models for the same airflow.
speed setting matters
Most fans on low draw 30 to 40 percent less power than full speed. Cooling effect on body remains similar.
combine with shading
Closed curtains plus a fan beats open windows plus a fan in direct sun. Block heat first, move air second.
Real UK fan running costs broken down
Fans are one of the easier appliance categories to budget for because their wattage is low plus their use pattern is predictable (mostly daytime, mostly summer, mostly when humans are home).
Real numbers at 24.7p per kWh (Q2 2026 Ofgem cap):
- 40W desk fan, 8 hrs daily, 14 days: 4.48 kWh total, £1.11 for the heatwave week or £2.22 for two weeks.
- 60W tower fan, 12 hrs daily, 30 days: 21.6 kWh, £5.34 across a typical UK summer month.
- 80W pedestal fan, 12 hrs daily, 30 days: 28.8 kWh, £7.11 across the same month.
- 30W ceiling fan (DC motor), 16 hrs daily, 30 days: 14.4 kWh, £3.56 across the month.
- 100W tower fan on max, 24 hrs daily, 7 days: 16.8 kWh, £4.15 across a heatwave week.
Fan vs portable air conditioner. A typical 9000 BTU portable AC unit draws 800 to 1100W. Across a 12-hour day at 1000W that is 12 kWh, costing £2.96 per day at the current Ofgem rate. The same period with an 80W pedestal fan costs around 24p. The fan is roughly 12 times cheaper to run. The AC produces more direct cooling but the fan is sufficient for most UK summer conditions.
Where fans hide extra cost:
- Standby loads. Remote-controlled fans draw 1 to 3W when off. Plug into a switched extension to eliminate.
- Permanent ceiling fans on dimmer plates. Some older AC motor fans hum on low draw even when set to off at the switch.
- Older AC motor box fans. Models from before 2010 are typically 100 to 150W versus 40 to 80W for modern equivalents.
- Multiple fans running together. Three desk fans at 40W each is the same as one 120W pedestal. Worth comparing.
Where fans save money beyond their own running cost. A fan plus closed blinds plus an open window at night usually keeps a UK bedroom comfortable through the typical heatwave. That avoids the need for a portable AC unit which would cost 10 to 15 times as much to run for the same effect.
Real number ranges
Cost across a UK summer (12 hrs daily for 30 days)
A typical UK summer fan day
off until 10am
House still cool. No fan needed. Curtains drawn on south-facing windows to block midday sun.
tower fan on
Fan on low to medium. Roughly 50W average draw across afternoon. Combined with closed curtains keeps living areas comfortable.
pedestal fan added
Second fan helps move evening cooling air through the house. Total fan draw 100 to 130W until bedtime.
bedroom fan on low
Single bedroom fan on low setting through the night. Cost: under 50p for the entire 24-hour cycle.
Four ways to use a fan most efficiently
Use the low or medium setting
Most fans on full are louder plus use 30 to 40 percent more power for marginal extra cooling.
Block the heat first
Closed blackout curtains on south-facing windows reduce indoor heat gain by 30 to 50 percent. Fans then have less work to do.
Move air across people
Position fans to flow across occupied spaces, not into empty rooms. Cooling effect is from skin evaporation.
Choose DC motor models
When buying new, DC motor fans use around half the electricity of older AC motor designs for the same airflow.
Compare the options
Electric fan
- ✓25 to 120W typical draw across the full domestic range.
- ✓0.6p to 3p per hour at the current 24.7p per kWh Ofgem cap.
- ✓Plugs into any 13A socket with no special install.
- ✓£5 to £8 across a UK summer month at heavy use.
- ✓Quiet, low maintenance, lasts 5 to 15 years typically.
Portable air conditioner
- ✗800 to 1500W typical draw on portable units.
- ✗20p to 37p per hour at the same Ofgem rate.
- ✗Often needs a window vent kit plus weighs 25 to 45 kg.
- ✗£70 to £120 across a UK summer month at similar use hours.
- ✗Higher noise plus regular filter cleaning needed.
Fans are the cheapest cooling option for most UK homes. Our full Appliances hub covers the full domestic appliance running cost range so you can plan your summer plus winter loads.
Visit the Appliances Hub
This article is one chapter inside our complete Appliances knowledge base. The hub covers running costs across every major household appliance from kettles to heat pumps.
More on appliance running costs
Three further appliance running cost articles. how much electricity does a dehumidifier use covers the related humidity-control category. how much electric does a heater use sets the winter equivalent. how much electricity does a uk house use per day sets the household baseline.