Pedestal, tower and desk fans provide affordable cooling solutions that are great for small spaces. These fans are convenient, portable and use negligible amounts of electricity compared to air conditioners. In this article, Canstar Blue looks at the running costs of these kinds of fans to help you manage your summer power bills.
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How much does it cost to use a pedestal fan?
According to Canstar Blue data, a residential pedestal fan will cost anywhere between 1.15c and 2.30c per hour to run, or around $16.79 to $33.58 per year, given the assumptions in the table below. Pedestal fan power outputs vary considerably across different models. Most residential pedestal fans will have a maximum output (measured in watts) of 45W to 75W, but larger commercial pedestal fans may have outputs up to 300W.
The cost of using a pedestal fan will depend on the speed setting of your fan as well as its wattage. It will also of course depend on the rate you pay for electricity. In the below example, we have used a 3-speed pedestal fan with a maximum output of 70W.
Pedestal fan running costs
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| Setting | Power (W) | Hourly Running Cost | Annual Running Cost (4 hours/day)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | 70W | 2.30c | $33.58 |
| Medium | 55W | 1.80c | $26.28 |
| Low | 35W | 1.15c | $16.79 |
Source: www.canstar.com.au – 1/11/2023. Electricity usage cost estimates based on the average electricity usage rate of 32.8 c/kWh. Average electricity usage rates are based on single rate, non-solar only plans on Canstar’s database, available for an annual usage of 4,347 kWh. *Assumes fan is used 4 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Modern ceiling fans generally consume less electricity than pedestal fans. That’s because while ceiling fans are larger, pedestal fans oscillate and must spin at a faster rate to create airflow. While a ceiling fans might save you a small portion in electricity, pedestal fans are a lot cheaper to purchase and it doesn’t require any professional installation.
How much does it cost to use a tower fan?
According to Canstar Blue data, a standard tower fan uses around 100W of electricity which can cost up to 3.28c per hour to run, depending on your circumstances and settings used. Where pedestal fans blow air in a focused circular area, tower fans use several small, vertically aligned fans to create a column of air flow. This means a tower fan usually consumes more electricity than a pedestal fan.
The below table uses a 3-setting tower fan with a maximum output of 100W.
Tower fan running costs
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| Setting | Power (W) | Hourly Running Cost | Annual Running Cost (4 hours/day)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | 100W | 3.28c | $47.89 |
| Medium | 82W | 2.69c | $39.27 |
| Low | 54W | 1.77c | $25.84 |
Source: www.canstar.com.au – 1/11/2023. Electricity usage cost estimates based on the average electricity usage rate of 32.8 c/kWh. Average electricity usage rates are based on single rate, non-solar only plans on Canstar’s database, available for an annual usage of 4,347 kWh. *Assumes fan is used 4 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Compare cheap electricity plans
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
How much does it cost to use a desk fan?
According to Canstar Blue data, a desk fan will cost less than one cent per hour to run with the annual cost coming in between $4.38 and $14.31 depending on how it’s used. Desk fans are small and are ideal for cooling a single person. As a desk fan is designed to sit close to you, it has a much lower max power output of around 25W to 35W.
To keep things simple, we will again assume this desk fan has three settings and that it has a 30W maximum output.
Desk fan running costs
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| Setting | Power (W) | Hourly Running Cost | Annual Running Cost (4 hours/day)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | 30W | 0.98c | $14.31 |
| Medium | 18W | 0.59c | $8.61 |
| Low | 9W | 0.30c | $4.38 |
Source: www.canstar.com.au – 1/11/2023. Electricity usage cost estimates based on the average electricity usage rate of 32.8 c/kWh. Average electricity usage rates are based on single rate, non-solar only plans on Canstar’s database, available for an annual usage of 4,347 kWh. *Assumes fan is used 4 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Desk fans are clearly the cheapest type of fan to operate, but it is not suitable for cooling rooms. That means it doesn’t serve as a viable alternative to tower, pedestal or ceiling fans.
Got a ceiling fan instead? See what you could be saving in running costs in Canstar Blue’s ceiling fan running cost guide.
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