WattCostCalc

How Much Does A Furnace Blower Cost to Run?

A furnace blower typically uses 500 watts. At 8 hours a day, drawing full power about 60% of the time, and $0.175/kWh, it costs about $0.42 per day, $12.60 per month and $153.30 per year.

$12.60 per monthat $0.175/kWh

Calculate your own cost

Hours per day:
$0.42per day
Per hour
$0.0530.3 kWh
Per day
$0.422.4 kWh
Per week
$2.9416.8 kWh
Per month (30 days)
$12.6072 kWh
Per year
$153.30876 kWh

Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × rate. Edit any box and every number updates instantly.

People also ask

How much does a 500-watt furnace blower cost per hour?

At $0.175/kWh, it costs $0.053 per hour. The maths: 500 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.5 kWh per hour, × $0.175 = $0.088. This page assumes it draws full power about 60% of the time, so the hourly figure shown is lower.

How much does it cost per month?

Used 8 hours a day for 30 days, it costs about $12.60 per month and uses 72 kWh. Change the hours in the calculator above to match how you use it.

How many kWh does it use?

2.4 kWh per day, 72 kWh per month and 876 kWh per year at 8 hours a day. A kWh is one kilowatt (1,000 W) used for one hour. It is the unit on your electricity bill.

How can I lower the cost?

Use a clean filter and the lowest fan setting that maintains comfort. Check your bill for the exact rate and enter it above.

Does my electricity rate change the answer?

Yes, a lot. At 10¢ per kWh the monthly cost is $7.20 and at 30¢ it is $21.60. Find your rate on your bill (total cost ÷ kWh used) and type it into the calculator.

Cost by hours of use

Used per dayEnergy per dayCost per dayCost per monthCost per year
1 hour0.3 kWh$0.053$1.58$19.16
2 hours0.6 kWh$0.105$3.15$38.33
3 hours0.9 kWh$0.158$4.73$57.49
4 hours1.2 kWh$0.21$6.30$76.65
5 hours1.5 kWh$0.263$7.88$95.81
6 hours1.8 kWh$0.315$9.45$114.98
7 hours2.1 kWh$0.368$11.03$134.14
8 hours2.4 kWh$0.42$12.60$153.30
9 hours2.7 kWh$0.473$14.18$172.46
10 hours3 kWh$0.525$15.75$191.63
11 hours3.3 kWh$0.578$17.33$210.79
12 hours3.6 kWh$0.63$18.90$229.95
13 hours3.9 kWh$0.683$20.48$249.11
14 hours4.2 kWh$0.735$22.05$268.28
15 hours4.5 kWh$0.788$23.63$287.44
16 hours4.8 kWh$0.84$25.20$306.60
17 hours5.1 kWh$0.893$26.78$325.76
18 hours5.4 kWh$0.945$28.35$344.93
19 hours5.7 kWh$0.998$29.93$364.09
20 hours6 kWh$1.05$31.50$383.25
21 hours6.3 kWh$1.10$33.08$402.41
22 hours6.6 kWh$1.16$34.65$421.58
23 hours6.9 kWh$1.21$36.23$440.74
24 hours7.2 kWh$1.26$37.80$459.90

How we worked it out

  1. Energy per hour: 500 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.5 kWh, × 60% of the time at full power = 0.3 kWh
  2. Cost per hour: 0.3 kWh × $0.175 = $0.053
  3. Cost per day: × 8 hours = $0.42
  4. Month and year: × 30 days = $12.60, × 365 days = $153.30

What it costs in different places

Same 500-watt furnace blower, 8 hours a day. Only the local electricity rate changes.

PlaceRate per kWhCost per month
United States$0.175$12.60
California$0.32$23.04
Texas$0.155$11.16
New York$0.25$18.00
Florida$0.155$11.16
Illinois$0.17$12.24
Pennsylvania$0.18$12.96
Ohio$0.17$12.24
Washington$0.115$8.28

About furnace blower running costs

A furnace blower uses electricity to move air even when the heat source uses gas. Actual power depends on motor type and fan speed.

Typical sizes: 300 W, 500 W, 700 W, 1,000 W.

How to spend less: Use a clean filter and the lowest fan setting that maintains comfort.

What this estimate assumes

  • The appliance draws full power about 60% of the time, because it cycles on and off.
  • Wattage is the typical label value, not a measured value. Check the label on your own appliance.
  • The rate is an approximate residential average. Your bill may include fixed fees, tiers or time-of-use pricing. Edit the rate above.
  • A month is 30 days and a year is 365 days.

Read the full calculation methodology

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