Ceiling fans and window fans come in handy in the sweltering heat that comes with the summer. However, running the fan throughout the hot season may make you wonder how much electricity goes into powering the fans all day or as long as you need them. Many factors determine the power consumption of a fan when running all day or night.
However, you do not have to worry about the electricity bill as you would when using air conditioners. That being said, how much electricity does a fan use, and is it affordable? We will answer these questions in this article.
How Much Electricity Does A Fan Use?
To answer this question, we start by understanding the cost of electricity in terms of money and energy. Electricity is measured in watts. Without going into too much physics, watts are the energy in joules spent every second.
However, what matters to you is how much you will be paying for the electricity. It is important to note that there is a universal cost of electricity that regulates energy consumption. Electricity costs about $0.10 per kWh. kWh stands for kilowatt-hour, which is simply the power rating for how much power the appliances use.
As promised, no more physics. An average 75-watt fan will use running costs averaging to 0.0075USD per hour. If you want to know how much you pay for the fan you are using, you can use the energy use calculator to know exactly how much you use.
Types Of Fans And The Electricity They Use
Different types of fans have varying power consumption for adequate air conditioning in any room. The size of the fan will be proportional to its consumption and efficiency. The fan speed will slightly affect the power consumed in evaporative cooling or the specified technique used by the fan. Here are a few fan types and the possible electric cost you will incur when using the fans.
1. Box Fans
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Box fans are also known as window fans. Box fans are the best remedy for the ever-rising electricity cost because of the reduced power consumed relative to the efficiency. Wastage of electricity is a thing of the past with box fans because the fan uses air that is already flowing. The basic idea behind the functioning of a window fan is moving air in and out of the room through a window. The fans are placed at the window where air flows in and out.
Windows fans are less costly than air conditioners because they use little power per hour, significantly reducing energy costs. However, installing air conditioning in a room wastes electricity, especially if windows could use box fans to solve the problem.
Window fans average between 35 and 100 watts depending on the brand and the size, beating other cooling appliances in energy saving. Unfortunately, many fans within the range of energy use as box fans are not as effective as window fans.
Due to the intelligent design of window fans that boost saving money, you can improve the airflow in your house without using an air conditioner. Instead, using two window fans on two separate windows is better to allow as much fresh air into the house while cooling the room. Place the fan on the cooler side of the house to let in air, while the fan on the hotter side should push out air to create the necessary flow.
2. Ceiling Fans
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Ceiling fans use between 55 watts and 90 watts, depending on the size and speed of the fan. A ceiling fan has blades determining how much energy will go into running the fan. The best ceiling fans are energy efficient and are preferred by many people because they occupy unused space.
In addition, the location of a ceiling fan makes it ideal for air circulation. Ceiling fans are energy-efficient fans because they use air already in circulation in the house, making them the best for large rooms with windows slightly far apart.
A ceiling fan will hardly dent your electricity bill because of the fair energy consumption. As we have established, most ceiling fans use less than 100 watts of electricity. Therefore, you can save energy by installing a ceiling fan to cool the air in the house during a hot season.
The electricity usage of the ceiling fan will depend on the length of the fan and the motor driving the fan. Generally, the average ceiling fan wattage includes the following:
1. 35 inches-55 watts
2. 48 inches-75 watts
3. 52 inches-90 watts
Using the kWh cost, you will realize that ceiling fans score highly in power consumption. Ceiling fan use is recommended for anyone mindful of the design of the house because they come in different styles, sizes, and speeds. However, ceiling fans will contribute to only a fraction of the total power consumption in the house.
3. Tower Fans
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Tower fans are synonymous with energy efficiency because the cost to run the fans is low enough to be close to negligible. The fans can circulate air efficiently regardless of the floor space. Tower fans, just like ceiling fans, move air within the same room without getting some from outside the room. The fan’s motor is strong enough to supply the house with cool air while maintaining a friendly electric bill.
Tower fans uses an average of 48 to 100 watts to run. The fans have the advantage of moving from one room to another. Therefore, you do not have to invest in more than one fan, saving on costs you would use to buy a new fan.
The power consumption of the tower fan is consistent with other fans, while the advantages are more. Tower fans are portable, meaning you can move around with them in a hot season, unlike the ceiling fan that is permanently installed.
4. House Fan
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A house fan is almost similar to an air conditioner in how it functions. It consumes more energy than a ceiling fan but certainly less than an air conditioner. Therefore, when using an energy-efficient house fan, your electricity bill will not skyrocket when used correctly. A house fan is an energy-efficient fan, given the amount of work the fan does relative to exactly how much electricity goes into powering the fan.
House fan wattage is between 120 and 600 watts of electricity. The energy consumption is justified, given how much work the fans do. House fans do a great job in the central air conditioning while getting rid of the warm air in the attic, which other fans do not do.
The electric motor in the fan runs consistently to use the right amount of watts per hour while creating the appropriate heat relief in the house. The energy use of a house fan is one thing you can count on, and the average cost will not exceed the relative performance of the fan.
5. Smart Fans
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Smart fans are the most energy-efficient fans compared to other fans and how many watts they use. Your electric bill will barely be affected when you install a smart fan. Smart fans are a modern version of energy-efficient ceiling fans.
The electricity tariff in your area is no longer an issue with these fans that use less energy than an LED light. Smart fans are the best fans that do not have to be monitored every time the air temperature reduces.
Smart fans reduce electricity consumption by up to 11% while creating heat relief like the other fans. In addition, the fans automatically turn off when the temperature is low enough to endure.
6. Pedestal Fans
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A pedestal fan works similarly to a window fan. You can expect to use only $14 of electricity yearly on a pedestal fan, which is a fair price. Pedestal fans can have three or five blades depending on the wind you want in your house and how much it costs. In addition, the fan is portable and does not have to be fixed in one room, reducing the ownership cost compared to a ceiling fan.
7. Table Fans
A table fan uses an average wattage of 40 watts of power per hour. Considering the size and other factors, table fans are the cheapest to run and the most convenient to own. A table fan, including your office, can come with you everywhere you go. Bringing a fan with you reduces the cost of installing fans in every place you spend your time. Table fans are your best bet when you are looking to save on costs.
Frequently Asked Questions on How Much Electricity Does a Fan Use
1. Does running a fan use a lot of electricity?
Running a fan uses less electricity, making it quite inexpensive to run. The best thing about fans is that they are surprisingly energy-efficient models compared to electric air conditioning.
Different types of fans come with different wattages, which can help you know the amount of electricity a fan will consume. For example, a ceiling fan averages 15-90 watts, while a tower fan uses about 100 watts.
2. Is it expensive to run a fan all night?
Typically, running a fan all night is inexpensive and will cost less than using an AC. The cost to run a fan varies depending on the make and model you have. The best fans are energy-efficient. However, it’s nice to know approximately how much it costs you if you always have yours on.
3. Which uses more electricity, Ac or a fan?
It’s the AC because a fan is significantly more energy efficient and can use 1% of what an electric air conditioner consumes. For example, you can run a fan for 24 hours and still use less energy than a 10-minute AC.
On average, an AC unit can use approximately 3000 watts per hour to run, while a ceiling fan uses only 75 watts. This makes AC more expensive and less energy efficient.
4. Is it bad to leave a fan on for 24 hours?
This will depend on the fan types you are using. Investing in a good fan can leave you running it for 24 hours. For instance, leaving a ceiling fan run for long hours can cause overheating. However, a box fan can be efficient and run for 24 hours without causing any worry.
Final Take on How Much Electricity Does a Fan Use
Unlike other home appliances, fans use the least amount of electricity. However, if you have a lot of floor space to condition, you will have to consider knowing how much you pay the electricity company every month. Learn how to calculate the power consumption against the electricity tariff to increase energy efficiency when using or buying a fan.
