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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Portable Fan (Box or Pedestal) in the UK? (2026)
Box fans and pedestal fans are among the cheapest ways to feel cooler. A typical 40 to 50 watt fan running all evening costs less than a single cup of coffee per month.
A typical portable fan (box or pedestal) (50 W) costs £0.013 per hour, or about £3.12 per month at 8 hours a day in United Kingdom. Cheap to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (20 W) | £0.005 | £0.042 | £1.25 | £15.18 |
| Typical (50 W) | £0.013 | £0.10 | £3.12 | £37.96 |
| High (100 W) | £0.026 | £0.21 | £6.24 | £75.92 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 8 h/day ≈ 146 kWh per year.
In the UK, with electricity at £0.26 per kWh (source: Ofgem price cap 1 Jul–30 Sep 2026, 2026-07), a typical portable fan (box or pedestal) costs £0.013 per hour and about £37.96 per year at 8 hours a day. Each £1.00 of electricity buys roughly 76.9 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a portable fan (box or pedestal)
- Point a fan out of a window at night to push hot air out and pull cooler air in.
- Use the lowest speed that keeps you comfortable. High speed can double the draw.
- Turn it off when leaving the room. Fans cool people, not spaces.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a fan all night?
A 50 watt fan for 8 hours uses 0.4 kWh, a few cents in most regions.
Is a tower fan more efficient than a box fan?
Box fans generally move more air per watt. Tower fans are quieter and take less floor space.
Does a fan use more electricity than a ceiling fan?
Similar. Both sit in the 15 to 100 watt range depending on size and speed.
Compare with
Cost by region
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