How much does it cost to run an attic fan?
EIA data · June 2026About $6.69 a month at the U.S. average price of 18.34¢ per kilowatt-hour — but that figure moves a long way depending on where you live. Set your state below.
36.5 kWh a month at the U.S. average, 18.34¢/kWh for June 2026. Excludes fixed charges, taxes and time-of-use rates, which vary by utility and are on your bill.
Typical 120–600 W. Use the figure on your own label if you have it.
50% duty cycle applied — it draws power for part of that time.
An attic fan sits mid-table at #25 of 88, which means something else in the house costs more. See whether heating & cooling or something else drives your bill.
Published figures for this appliance disagree by a wide margin. Why other sites price an attic fan so differently.
How many watts an attic fan uses
Powered attic ventilators use a 120–600 W motor depending on the volume they move. Whole-house fans sit at the upper end and beyond.
- Low
- 120 W
- Typical
- 300 W
- High
- 600 W
What it costs across the country
Same appliance, same usage, different electricity price. Annual cost at 300 W and the default usage above.
| State | ¢/kWh | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 52.72 | $231 |
| California | 34.74 | $152 |
| Massachusetts | 29.61 | $130 |
| New York | 29.49 | $129 |
| Ohio | 19.19 | $84.05 |
| Texas | 15.94 | $69.82 |
| Florida | 15.10 | $66.14 |
| Utah | 13.37 | $58.56 |
| Nebraska | 13.25 | $58.04 |
| Nevada | 13.11 | $57.42 |
Worth knowing
- An attic fan is cheap next to air conditioning, and by lowering attic temperature it can reduce the load on it.
- Thermostat control matters: an attic fan running on a cool day is pure cost.
- A poorly sealed ceiling lets an attic fan pull conditioned air out of the living space, which can cost more than the fan saves.
Other appliances
- Space heater
- Central air conditioner
- Window air conditioner
- Dehumidifier
- Ceiling fan
- Electric blanket
- Heat pump
- Electric baseboard heater
Prices are statewide residential averages for June 2026 from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. They exclude fixed monthly charges, taxes and time-of-use rates. See how these figures are calculated.