Table Fan Wattage & Running Costs Revealed [2024]

Last updated: February 19, 2024.

Get a breakdown of table fan wattage across various sizes and see the average running costs. Also, find the most efficient table fan and see how you can work out your running costs below.

In order to understand the impact of table fans, also known as standing fans, on our electricity bills and carbon footprints, I’ve done extensive research into table fan wattage.

Based on analysis of hundreds of the world’s best selling fans, the average table fan wattage is 42.5W.

Note: this article, originally published in 2021, gets updated yearly (includes 2024) and has become the authoritative source for table fan power consumption and running cost insights. Table fan data continues to remain essentially unchanged – there has been little development in table fan efficiency since this article was first published. Electricity prices have fluctuated dramatically during this time, however, so readers are encouraged to input their unit rate into the calculator below for custom, up-to-date, table fan running cost estimates.

The size and type of table fan impacts power consumption. Below is a breakdown of the average wattage for small, medium and large table fans.

Surprisingly, with an average of 52.7W, medium sized table fans consume more electricity than large table fans. This is because most Circulator table fans, these typically use more watts than traditional table fans, fall within this size range.

Small table fans have an average wattage of 28.5W, while large table fans use an average of 44.3W.

The wattage specified by manufacturers is the max power rating, so you can expect actual consumption to be lower. Below, I detail the actual wattage consumed by a typical table fan across its various speeds.

Also, continue reading to get sample research data, fans that stood out as particularly efficient and a useful calculator that will help you work out the cost of running your table fan.

Actual wattage consumed by table fans at different speeds

As mentioned, the wattage specified by manufacturers is the maximum power rating. The actual wattage consumption varies with each speed setting. So let’s take a look at this.

Using an energy monitor, I put my 3 speed, 35W, 12” standard table fan to the test. The actual wattage consumption was:

• 28.6W at max speed;
• 26.4W at medium speed; and
• 25W at the lowest speed.

So what does this tell us? 

In this case, the power consumed at the lowest speed is just 71% of the max power rating of 35W.

At medium speed, actual consumption is slightly higher at 26.4W or 75% of the manufacturer’s stated wattage.

At the highest speed, my fan still didn’t reach the 35W power rating – at 28.6W, the max speed setting consumed 82% of the max wattage stated.

Also, as you can see there isn’t a huge increase in actual wattage consumption as we move up through the speed settings. Most of the work is being done bringing the motor up to the lowest speed. And increases in speed after this does not require as much energy.

Cost to run a table fan

Now that we know the average wattage of table fans, and that actual consumption varies, let’s take a look at the average cost to run these fans.

If you don’t want to do the math, skip to the subsequent section for a handy calculator.

Related: Cost To Run A Box Fan Revealed [6 Easy $ Saving Tips]

How to work out the cost to run your table fan

To work out how much it costs to run your table fan you need these 3 pieces of information:

1. Your fan’s wattage

This is typically written on a label at the bottom or back of table fans. As mentioned, this is the maximum wattage that your fan will use. The wattage actually consumed will be different. 

To get more accurate consumption levels you’ll need a wattmeter, or similar. I usually use this Smart Plug to see the actual energy consumption of appliances – it’s just as easy as using my wattmeter, but has the added benefit of making any appliance a smart appliance.

2. Your duration of use

Choose the duration that you want so you can work out the cost of that period. Do you want to find the cost to run a table fan for 1 hour, 1 day, 1 month, etc.?

After you choose the duration, simply estimate how long you use your fan for during that period. For example, if you want to work out the cost to run your table fan for 1 day, estimate how long you expect to use your fan during that period (is it 2, 3, 4, etc. hours per day?).

3. Your unit rate / the price you pay per kWh

The average price of 1 kWh in the US is 15c. Your rate might be different. You should be able to find your cost on your latest electricity bill or on your energy provider’s website. 

When you have these 3 figures, you just need to do 2 things. First, divide your wattage by 1,000 so we’re working with kW. Second, just multiply.

Multiply your table fan’s wattage (use the kW figure) by the duration of use. Then multiply the answer by the price you pay per kWh.

For example, let’s work out how much I pay per day for my table fan on medium speed. The 3 pieces of information required are:

1. 26.4W – this is my fan’s actual power consumption on medium speed;
2. 2 hours – this is how long I expect to use my fan per day; and
3. $0.15 – this is how much I pay per kWh.

To work out how much it costs me to run my table fan per day, I simply divide my wattage by 1,000 to get 0.0264kW. Then I just multiply 0.0264kW by 2 hrs to get 0.0528 (this is how many kW my fan consumes over a 2 hour period). Finally I multiply this by $0.15 to get $0.00792.

So it costs me less than 1 cent to run my table fan at medium speed for 2 hours.

Is this high, low, average? Continue reading to see the average cost to run a table fan in the US.

To work out the cost for a full month, say a 30 day month, I can now simply multiply this daily cost by 30. It’d cost me 24 cents to run my table fan for a month.

Not interested in doing the math? Use the calculator below to work out your cost of running your table fan.

Cost to run a table fan calculator 

To work out your table fan running costs, enter your fan and usage details in the calculator below.

By default, the calculator is populated with US averages where possible.

Interested to know how your costs compare with the average running costs? Let’s take a quick look at the average cost to run a table fan.

Average cost to run a table fan 

Taking the average table fan wattage (42.5W) and the average price per kWh in the US, below is the average cost to run table fans over various durations.

Average cost to run a table fan per hour

The average cost to run a table fan in the US is less than 1 cent per hour. Specifically, it costs $0.0064 per hour.

Small table fans cost $0.0043 per hour on average.

Average cost to run a table fan per day / 24hrs

In the US, the average cost to run a table fan per day is $0.153, when on continuously.

Small table fans cost $0.103 per day.

Average cost to run a table fan per week

Running a table fan continuously for 1 week costs $1.07 on average in the US.

Over the same period it’d cost $0.72 to run a small table fan.

Average cost to run a table fan per month

The average cost to run a table fan for a full month (31 days) of 24/7 use is $4.74 in the US.

Running a small table fan costs, on average, $3.19.

Average cost to run a table fan per year

A full year of 24/7 use of table fans would cost $55.64 on average in the US. 

A small table fan would cost $37.44 over the year.

No matter what size, the longer you use a table fan, the more expensive it’ll be to run. However, some fans are more efficient than others.

Energy efficient table fan

After researching hundreds of fans, there are some standout performers in terms of efficiency.

When looking at the efficiency of fans, it’s important to consider wattage, size, noise, fan type and CFM (i.e. the amount of air that can be moved by the fan, measured in Cubic Feet per Minute).

Best for air movement

The standout performer in terms of CFM is the Hunter 90603 Retro Table Fan – Home Depot’s 6th best selling table fan. The claimed CFM is a whopping 1,672.

Understandably, the noise it produces is above average at 75 dBA, but the wattage is below average at 35W.

This is a good choice where maximum airflow is required from a table fan, while still maintaining low energy consumption. Check the price on Amazon, here.

Best for wattage

A standout performer in terms of wattage is the Bell+Howell My Foldaway Rechargeable Fan, at just 5W on high speed. This is a versatile table fan that can fold out to be a pedestal fan or fold down to become a personal fan.

At 101.8, the CFM is not exceptional but it could be exactly what is needed to keep you cool. The noise produced is quite low too at 52 dBA.

This is a good choice if you want to keep your electricity bills low and intend to keep yourself cool, without impacting anyone else in the room. Check the price on Amazon, here.

Editor’s choice

If you’re like me, you sometimes forget to turn your table fan off when you’ve stopped using it.

Research shows that smart fans can reduce energy consumption by over 11%. 

So with this in mind, my recommendation would be the Geek Aire AF1S Air Circulator. It’s small enough for use on a table or desk, powerful enough to cool a whole room and smart enough to maintain a specific temperature. It’s also quiet at 24 dBA.

The wattage ranges from 20W to 50W depending on speed setting. For personal use, on a table, expect to consume 20W. Unfortunately the CFM is not known for this model, however, the brand does have high performing fans that achieve 2,500 CFM (like their 16” outdoor fan).

Ultimately, the Geek Aire AF1S Air Circulator is a good choice if you benefit from (or at least enjoy) smart devices, while still wanting to keep your energy consumption low. It looks great and has a lot of really cool features, which you can check out here (plus it’s not as expensive as you might think).

An honorable mention must also go to the 75W NASH PF-1 CoolSmart. This smart standing fan has a more traditional style, which may be more appealing for many readers.

How to reduce the cost of running your fan

In addition to reducing energy consumption by over 11% by going smart with your fan, there are many other ways to save energy

In a separate post, I list 6 easy tips to reduce fan running costs. They’re actually cost saving tips for box fans, but they’re relevant to table fans too so do check them out.

FAQs

During my research I came across a few frequently asked questions. For convenience, they’re listed and answered below. 

Do table fans use a lot of electricity

Table fans do not use a lot of electricity. They are not considered energy guzzlers like other household appliances.

For context, running an average table fan (42.5W) at max power for 24 hours is equivalent to:

• The power consumed by an electric heater after running for 42 minutes;
• The power consumed after boiling a kettle 14 times; or
• The power consumed by a 20″ box fan after running for nearly 12 hours.

Table fan voltage

Mains power table fans generally have a voltage between 110V and 240V.

Typically, you don’t need to be concerned about voltage when buying appliances in physical stores. This is because the products sold will be the appropriate voltage for your country.

However, when buying online from websites with a global presence, be sure that the table fan you are buying is the correct voltage for your country.

For example, people in the US should look for 110V-120V table fans, while in the UK they should look for 230V fans.

If you’re unsure about which voltage table fan you should use, be sure to check with the retailer or manufacturer beforehand.

Also, the voltage of rechargeable table fans can appear different to mains powered table fans. Some battery powered table fans can state just a few volts on their label. But you should make sure that the table fan charger is the appropriate voltage for the country you are in. For safety, only use the charger that comes with the table fan or the manufacturer’s advised replacement.

How many watts does a small table fan use

On average, small table fans use 28.5 watts (.0285kW).

Based on research into hundreds of the world’s most popular fans, this is the average power rating of 4” to 6.9” table fans.

Table fan power consumption per hour

On average, table fans consume 42.5W (0.0425kW) of power per hour.

Small, medium and large table fans consume 28.5W (0.0285kW), 52.7W (0.0527kW) and 44.3W (0.0443kW) of power per hour, respectively.

Table fan wattage sample data

The wattage of table fans is not always displayed online. This makes it more difficult for energy conscious people to make informed decisions when making an online purchase.

The CFM and noise levels are displayed even less frequently.

For convenience, here’s a list of some of the most popular fans in the US with their wattage, CFM and dBA displayed where available.

Want to know more about the wattage of other types of fans? Check out Box Fan Wattage Revealed [Data + Most Efficient Box Fan] and Tower Fan Power And Running Costs [With Data].

Also, see how table fans / standing fans compare with ceiling fans – don’t miss the section Ceiling Fan vs Standing Fan, here.

Finally, regarding fans, see what the most efficient type is, here: Fan Wattage, Efficiency And Cost To Run [Fan Types Compared].

If you’re interested in reducing your electricity bills and carbon footprint quickly, don’t miss this cost-free 6 Quick Wins Cheat Sheet:

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James F

James F (not to be confused with ECS co-founder James) is our lead author, content & website manager. He has a BSc. in Digital Marketing, and a Diploma in IT. He became a qualified electrician while studying electrical engineering part-time.

From wind and solar photovoltaic installers, James F worked with many certified energy practitioners and energy consultants before joining the core ECS team. He also helped build the most downloaded energy saving app while working with a leading utility company.

Read more about James F or connect directly on LinkedIn, here.