Mitigation
How much does a radon fan cost to run?
Short answer
A radon fan runs all the time, so its cost is its watts times every hour of the year: Minnesota's health department works it out at $17.47 a year for a 20-watt fan to $262.08 for 300 watts, at 10 cents a kilowatt hour. State agencies that give a monthly figure put it at about $3 a month (Michigan, South Dakota) to $8 to $10 a month (Utah), and replacing the fan costs $200 to $350 by EPA's figure.
Calculator
Work out your own fan's running cost
Enter your fan's wattage and the price per kilowatt hour on your electric bill. The fan should never be turned off, because it must run continuously for the system to work, so the calculator counts every hour of the year. The result is our calculation from your numbers, not a published figure.
- Per year
- $52.56
- Per month
- $4.38
- Electricity used
- 526 kWh
Method: watts times 8,760 hours (a fan that runs all year), divided by 1,000, times your price. It leaves out heated or cooled air the system draws out of the house, which can also add to the bill.
Published figures
What public agencies publish
Five state agencies publish a running cost. Minnesota's health department gives the most detail: a cost for each size of fan at $0.10 per kilowatt hour, published in 2023. The others give a single monthly or yearly figure.
- A small fan (20 watts)about $17.47 a year
- A medium fan (60 watts)about $52.42 a year
- A large fan (150 watts)about $131.04 a year
- An extra large fan, or stacked fans (300 watts)about $262.08 a year
- average $3 a monthMichiganAverage monthly operating cost.
- average $3 a monthSouth DakotaAverage operating cost in South Dakota.
- $8 to $10 a monthUtahAdded to the utility bill, with the fan replaced after about 15 years.
- about $100 a yearIllinoisElectricity to run the fan.
Heating and cooling
What else adds to the bill
Most radon reduction systems draw out some heated or air-conditioned air, which can raise utility bills. How much depends on the climate, the kind of system and how the home is built. Systems with fans reduce radon more effectively than passive ones, but add slightly to the electric bill.
Replacement
Replacing a radon fan: what it costs
Fans may last five years or more and may then need repair or replacement, and the cost of a new one varies with labor and materials. South Dakota gives an expected fan life of 11 years, and Utah says to plan on replacing the fan after about 15 years.
$145 to $300
Michigan
Replacing the fan
$145 to $300
South Dakota
Fan replacement (expected fan life 11 years)
$200 to $350
EPA
Replacing a radon fan, parts and labor
Published 2026
Before replacing a fan, ask qualified mitigators for estimates before any work begins, and check the warranty: manufacturer warranties tend not to run past five years. In Minnesota, a contractor doing the work must be licensed. The radon fan guide covers how to tell a fan has stopped and what replacement involves.
Upkeep
How to tell the fan is still running
Look at the system's warning device, usually a manometer, on a regular basis. Minnesota requires every system to have two fan monitors, a u-tube manometer and an active notification monitor, and both should be checked monthly. The manometer's reading is taken at installation and written on a sticker beside it; if the fluid levels are even, the fan has stopped or another part of the system is not working properly.
FAQ
Radon fan cost questions
How much electricity does a radon fan use?
It depends on the fan. Minnesota's table runs from 20 watts for a small fan to 300 watts for an extra large fan or stacked fans. A 60-watt fan running all year uses about 526 kilowatt hours (calculated: 60 watts times 8,760 hours).
How much does a radon fan cost per month?
Michigan and South Dakota put the average at about $3 a month, and Utah at $8 to $10 a month on your utility bill. Use the calculator above with your own fan and electricity price.
How much does a radon fan cost per year?
Minnesota works out $17.47 for a 20-watt fan, $52.42 for 60 watts, $131.04 for 150 watts and $262.08 for 300 watts at $0.10 a kilowatt hour. Illinois puts the energy cost at around $100 a year.
Can I turn the fan off to save money?
No. The fan should never be turned off; it must run continuously for the system to work.
How much does it cost to replace a radon fan?
EPA puts it at around $200 to $350 including parts and labor. Michigan and South Dakota give $145 to $300.
How long does a radon fan last?
Fans may last five years or more; South Dakota gives an expected life of 11 years and Utah about 15 years.