Cost to Run a Box Fan in California
California's average residential electricity rate is 35.3¢/kWh as of April 2026 — the 50th cheapest in the country, 88% above the U.S. average. At typical usage (8 hours/day), a box fan here costs $6.44 per month.
Per hour
2.6¢
at 50–100 W
Per day
$0.21
8 hours/day
Per month
$6.44
18 kWh
Per year
$77.31
219 kWh
By usage level in California
| Usage | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (4 hrs/day) | $0.11 | $3.22 | $38.65 |
| Typical (8 hrs/day) | $0.21 | $6.44 | $77.31 |
| Heavy (16 hrs/day) | $0.42 | $12.88 | $155 |
California vs. the rest of the country
Monthly cost at typical usage.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a box fan in California?
At California's current average residential rate of 35.3¢/kWh (April 2026), a box fan with typical usage costs about $0.21 per day, $6.44 per month, or $77.31 per year.
Is running a box fan in California more expensive than average?
Yes. California's electricity costs about 88% more than the U.S. average, so the same usage costs $6.44 per month here versus $3.43 nationally.
What does electricity cost in California right now?
California residents pay an average of 35.3¢ per kWh as of April 2026 — the 50th cheapest rate of the 51 U.S. jurisdictions we track.