Ceiling fans are an efficient way to increase the comfort of any room while complementing your space. While increased comfort is a key benefit ceiling fans offer, they also can reduce your electricity use and energy bill.
The amount of electricity your ceiling fan uses depends on a multitude of factors. The overall power consumption depends on ceiling fan size, motor type, and speed settings. It also depends on the age of the fan. Modern fans are more efficient and therefore save you money on your electricity bill. Larger ceiling fans with longer blade spans and more decorative lights use more electricity but might be necessary depending on the size of the room. Keep reading to learn about all the aspects that impact electricity use.
Variables to Consider
The amount of electricity your ceiling fan uses depends on its features and how it’s engineered.
Ceiling Fan Size
The size of your ceiling fan directly correlates with how much electricity it uses. The larger the fan, the more electricity it needs. Small ceiling fans are a great option to ventilate smaller, cozy rooms that are hard to cool. Large ceiling fans are perfect for wide-open spaces. If you’re not sure what size ceiling fan you should choose, think about the ceiling fan’s size in proportion to the room’s square footage.
Type of Motor
Modern ceiling fans are usually engineered with an alternating current (AC) motor or a direct current (DC) motor. AC motors use around 100 watts at their highest speed. DC motors are an energy-efficient option and use significantly less electricity at their highest speeds. Energy-efficient DC motor ceiling fans use significantly less power - around 10-30 watts depending on speed.
Light Kit
While lighted ceiling fans use more electricity than non-lighted ceiling fans, they’re a great way to centralize the lighting in a room. To cut costs and energy use, swap your light bulbs for LED bulbs. LED light bulbs use 75% less energy compared to incandescent light bulbs, and they last 25 times longer.
How to Save Money With a Ceiling Fan
Change the Rotation of the Blades
Since the blades on a ceiling fan are angled, changing the direction your ceiling fan rotates can either push air away from the fan or draw it up towards it — making it feel cooler or warmer.
When your fan’s blades rotate counterclockwise it pushes air down into the room, improving ventilation and helping you feel cool. Since hot air rises, when the blades rotate clockwise the fan pulls the cooler air towards it, forcing the hot air to circulate back into the room. You can change the direction of most fans by flipping a simple switch on the motor housing or with its control mechanism. This feature can help you save while using your fan year-round.
Don’t Leave the Ceiling Fan On
Ceiling fans make you feel cooler by increasing the airflow and helping sweat evaporate off your skin. Since they don’t have an affect on the actual temperature of the room, turning your ceiling fan off when the room is empty can help you cut energy costs without sacrificing comfort.
Upgrade Your Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans sustain wear and tear over time and eventually, need to be replaced. Replace your old ceiling fan with an ENERGY STARⓇ-rated ceiling fan. Energy-efficient ceiling fans reduce your carbon footprint and can help you save on your energy bill.
Use in Combination With Your Air Conditioning System
An air conditioning system typically costs 36 cents per hour to run, whereas a ceiling fan costs only 1 cent per hour. While ceiling fans don't lower the temperature in a room, they do help your body feel cooler, enabling you to increase your temperature as much as four degrees and still be comfortable. What’s more, running your HVAC system at a higher temperature will increase its lifespan and save you the trouble of frequent and costly repairs and replacements.
Choosing the Right Ceiling Fan for Your Home
Ceiling fans are an energy-efficient, cost-effective way to increase your comfort in any room. Choosing a ceiling fan that's right for you doesn’t have to be complicated.
At Dan’s Fan City, we offer a range of indoor and outdoor ceiling fans and accessories to match your needs. Contact us today with any questions you have regarding which ceiling fan can help you cut energy costs. Shop our selection of high-quality ceiling fans or create a custom ceiling fan today.