How Much Does a Tower Fan Cost to Run? (UK, 2026)

Tower fans cost roughly 1-2p per hour to run at 2026 UK energy prices, making them one of the cheapest appliances in any home. A 40W fan left on overnight costs under 10p. This guide shows the exact maths across wattages, compares overnight and seasonal costs, and puts tower fan running costs alongside air conditioning.

2026 UK energy prices

The Ofgem price cap for Q2 2026 is set at around 24p per kWh for most households on a standard variable tariff. Some fixed-rate deals are slightly cheaper (around 22p) and some prepayment meters run slightly higher (up to 28p). This guide uses 24p per kWh as the working figure and 28p as the high-end reference.

How many watts does a tower fan use?

Tower fans vary in power draw depending on size, speed setting and design:

• Small and budget models (under 70cm): typically 30W-40W
• Mid-range models (70-100cm): typically 40W-55W
• Large or premium models (over 100cm, including Dyson): typically 45W-65W
• Bladeless models: similar range, 35W-56W

These figures apply at maximum speed. On lower settings, power draw falls significantly. A fan set to speed 3 of 9 might draw 20W-25W rather than 45W.

Cost per hour

To calculate running cost per hour:

Watts divided by 1,000 = kWh per hour. Then multiply by your unit rate.

In practice, a standard tower fan on medium speed costs roughly 1p per hour. A large, high-spec model on maximum costs under 2p per hour.

Overnight running cost (8 hours)

Running a 40W fan overnight costs less than 10p. Over a full week that is under 70p. Over a three-month summer it is roughly £8-£9.

Full summer season estimate

For a fan running 10 hours per day across 90 days of summer:

• 40W fan: 900 hours x 0.04 kWh = 36 kWh x 24p = around £8.64
• 60W fan: 900 hours x 0.06 kWh = 54 kWh x 24p = around £12.96

Even the most enthusiastic fan user will spend less than £15 running a tower fan all summer. Electricity is genuinely not a reason to avoid tower fans.

Tower fan vs air conditioning: the real comparison

This is where the numbers become stark. A portable air conditioner typically draws 700W-1,200W. Using 900W as a midpoint:

• Air conditioner: 900W x 24p / 1,000 = 21.6p per hour
• Tower fan (50W): 50W x 24p / 1,000 = 1.2p per hour

The air conditioner costs roughly 18 times more per hour. Running an air conditioner overnight (8 hours) at 900W costs around £1.73. A 50W tower fan overnight costs about 9.6p.

Over a summer, replacing overnight air conditioning use with a tower fan could save £100-£150 in electricity alone, depending on how often you would have run it.

For more on whether a fan actually keeps you cool enough to avoid needing air conditioning, see do tower fans actually cool a room.

Tips for keeping running costs as low as possible

Use a timer. Most decent tower fans include a 1-8 hour timer. Setting the fan to switch off once you are asleep (usually 1-2 hours) cuts overnight energy use by 75-85% without any sacrifice in comfort.

Use a lower speed. Running a 50W fan at medium speed may draw only 25-30W, cutting the hourly cost nearly in half. Many people cannot tell the difference in airflow between medium and maximum in a bedroom.

Close the room. A fan cooling a sealed bedroom works harder and less efficiently. But in a bedroom with the door closed, the ambient temperature rises more slowly at night, meaning a shorter fan run may be sufficient.

Energy efficiency tips from the experts

The Energy Saving Trust recommends using fans instead of air conditioning wherever possible, as fans use a fraction of the energy. Their guidance also suggests using a timer to avoid running appliances unnecessarily overnight, which aligns well with tower fan use.

A fan combined with good ventilation (open windows at night when outside temperatures drop) is the most energy-efficient way to manage summer heat in a UK home. See do tower fans actually cool a room for the full strategy.

The bottom line

A tower fan costs roughly 1-2p per hour to run in 2026. Running one overnight costs less than 15p. For the full summer, total electricity costs typically come in under £15. Energy cost is not a factor worth worrying about when choosing or using a tower fan.

See our tower fan buying guide for help choosing a model, or best tower fans for specific picks.