Cost to Run a Box Fan in California
California's average residential electricity rate is 33.3¢/kWh as of May 2026 — the 50th cheapest in the country, 81% above the U.S. average. At typical usage (8 hours/day), a box fan here costs $6.07 per month.
Per hour
2.5¢
at 50–100 W
Per day
$0.20
8 hours/day
Per month
$6.07
18 kWh
Per year
$72.93
219 kWh
By usage level in California
| Usage | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (4 hrs/day) | $0.10 | $3.04 | $36.46 |
| Typical (8 hrs/day) | $0.20 | $6.07 | $72.93 |
| Heavy (16 hrs/day) | $0.40 | $12.15 | $146 |
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 33.3¢/kWh (May 2026), a box fan with typical usage costs about $0.20 per day, $6.07 per month, or $72.93 per year.
Is running a box fan in California more expensive than average?
Yes. California's electricity costs about 81% more than the U.S. average, so the same usage costs $6.07 per month here versus $3.36 nationally.
What does electricity cost in California right now?
California residents pay an average of 33.3¢ per kWh as of May 2026 — the 50th cheapest rate of the 51 U.S. jurisdictions we track.