A ceiling fan is an energy-efficient device that can help you save money on your electricity bills. They take the heat away from rooms and keep the air fresh and clean.
You may have had a ceiling fan for years but never bothered to find out how much electricity it uses. In this article, we are going to talk about ceiling fan power, electricity consumption, and how to calculate the wattage & CFM, as well as some tips to reduce the electricity consumption.
What Is The Wattage Of Ceiling Fans?
The wattage of a fan is measured in watts. A typical ceiling fan has three blades that rotate at high speeds to create air movement throughout the room.
The speed at which they rotate depends on the model and manufacturer, so it’s hard to give an exact number of watts consumed.
The higher the number, the more powerful the fan will be and, therefore, more energy will be used to power it up. For example, if you have a 2000W (2 kilowatt) fan installed in your room, then this means that there is about 2 kilowatt-hours (kWh) worth of electricity being consumed every second as your ceiling fan rotates at high speeds!
Wattage Distribution Based on Ceiling Fan Size
| Fan Size | Avg On High Power (Watts) | Avg On Low Power (Watts) | Consumption/Hour (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small: 42″ – 48″ | 17.9 | 3.5 | 0.018 |
| Med: 50″ – 54″ | 23.4 | 3.6 | 0.023 |
| Large: 56″ – 84″ | 34.6 | 3.6 | 0.032 |
Small Sized Ceiling Fan: 42″ to 48″
On high, the small ceiling fans consume 17.9W, on low, 3.5W and on standby, 1W; meaning that this fan is highly energy efficient and produces very little noise while still providing enough air movement for comfortable breathing throughout your entire home or office space!
This fan is ideal for any room in your home, whether it’s a bedroom, living room or even an office. The small size allows you to use this fan in most rooms of your house without having to worry about it getting in the way.
Medium Sized Ceiling Fan: 50″ to 54″
If you’ve got a medium-sized room, then you might be wondering: what is the wattage of an average ceiling fan? The best ceiling fan wattage to use in a medium-sized room is 23.4 watts on high, 3.6 watts on low, and 0.9 watts while on standby (43 total).
This will help you achieve a nice even distribution of cool air throughout your home or office space without causing any headaches or burning out the motor of your fan too soon!
Large Sized Ceiling Fan: 56″ to 84″
Large sized ceiling fans (56” to 84”) use 34.6 watts on high, 3.6 watts on low, and 1.1 watts on standby. That’s a lot of electricity!
The wattage of a ceiling fan is measured in watts. A typical household consumes about 150 watts every hour. So, if you have a large sized ceiling fan that uses 2800 watts, it will run about 20 hours a day for a year before needing to be replaced.
Ceiling Fan Power Consumption vs Other Fans
| Fan Types | Electricity Consumed (Watts) | Daily Hours Usage | Electricity Power (kWh) | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceiling Fan | 50W | 5hrs/day | 7.61 | $0.86 |
| Table Fan | 55W | 5hrs/day | 8.37 | $0.95 |
| Tower Fan | 80W | 5hrs/day | 12.18 | $1.38 |
| Stand Fan | 100W | 5hrs/day | 15.22 | $1.72 |
Electricity used by ceiling fans
The amount of electricity used by a ceiling fan is between 50 watts and 100 watts, depending on the size of the fan and how fast it’s spinning.
That might not seem like much, but if you have several fans running in your home at once, that adds up to a lot of electricity!
If you want to save money on your power bill each month, try using less-efficient ceiling fans instead—most table fans only use about 10 watts of electricity per hour.
Electricity used by table fans
Table fans are more powerful than tower fans, but they’re also more expensive to run. According to Energy Star, table fans use about 55 watts to operate—that’s about 25% more than the average tower fan.
However, you may not want a really powerful fan if you’re using it in a small room or bedroom because it can blow out your candles and lamps!
Electricity used by Tower fans
A tower fan uses 80 watts of electricity. This is a little more than the average table fan, which uses 70 watts, but it’s still less than half of what a stand or ceiling fan can use (160 and 300 watts, respectively).
Electricity used by Pedestal fans
These fans are the most expensive option in the market due to their electricity consumption of 100 watts. This is even more than tower fans. However, installing them near areas where a good amount of ventilation is required makes them an ideal solution for their users.
Factors That Affect the Wattage of Ceiling Fans:
There are many factors that affect the wattage of ceiling fans.
Read: Ceiling Fan Size Guide
It also affects how much power the fan needs to run at full speed. The higher quality of the light bulb, the less power it requires, but it may not be bright enough for your taste or room size. If you are using a dimmer switch on your fan, this too can affect its wattage output as well as its ability to stay cool while running at high speed.
Other factors include whether or not your fan has an oscillating feature or if it is stationary (at one spot in the room). Oscillating fans tend to be cooler than stationary ones because they move around more air than those with fixed positions do.
Check Out: Common Types of Ceiling Fans
How Much Electricity (kWh) Does A Ceiling Fan Use?
A standard ceiling fan uses around 12 watts of power while it’s running and around 3 watts while it’s off. This means that the average ceiling fan uses between 14 and 18 kWh per year.
To calculate how much energy (kWh) a ceiling fan will use, multiply the wattage of the fan by the number of hours you will use it x 1,000; or use this formula:
kWh Calculation Formula
kWh = Ceiling Fan Wattage x Duration of Use (hrs)/1,000
However, based on the different sizes available, here’s a more comprehensive comparison for you to understand the exact kWh electricity used by ceiling fans.
| Fan Size | Avg On High Power (Watts) | Used in Day (5 Hours) kWh | Used in Night (7 Hours) kWh | Used 24 Hours/Day (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42″ – 48″ | 17.9W | 0.0895 | 0.1253 | 0.4296 |
| 50″ – 54″ | 23.4W | 0.117 | 0.1638 | 0.5616 |
| 56″ – 84″ | 34.6W | 0.173 | 0.2422 | 0.8304 |
How To Calculate The Energy Used By Ceiling Fans?
It’s easy to calculate the energy used by your ceiling fan. First, find out what wattage your fan uses:
Wattage = Voltage/Amperage
For example, if you have a 12V fan that uses 10 watts of power, you can plug these numbers into this equation:
Wattage Calculation Formula
Wattage = Voltage/Amperage = 12V / 10A = 12W
Now that you know the wattage of your fan, find out how much electricity costs where you live. Most countries charge a flat rate for electricity based on the amount of energy consumed by each household member. If your family uses 300 kWh per month (typical for most people), then your household’s bill would be $300 per month.
To find out how many cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh) this is in dollars, divide 300 kWh by 1000 and multiply by $0.10 per kWh.
Do ceiling fans use a lot of electricity?
Not really, ceiling fans are the most effective cooling appliances money can buy. If you use them for about five hours a day, they only cost around $0.86. The most energy-efficient ceiling fans on the market, though, are Energy-star rated fans. These fans are way less expensive than running an air conditioner all day long. An air conditioner that runs continuously costs a lot of money to operate!
What Is The Cause Of The High Energy Consumption Of Ceiling Fans?
1. It depends on the fan’s size, motor, and speed.
A low-speed ceiling fan has a blade that rotates slowly, making it more energy efficient than a high-speed version. A larger fan will use more electricity because it needs more strength to move air through your room.
Fans with motors that are powerful enough to drive them at speeds above 1,000 rpm (rotations per minute) also require more energy than those with smaller motors; this is because they need extra power to generate sufficient wind flow through their blades so they can move air efficiently.
The best way to figure out how much electricity your own ceiling fan uses is by checking its label or packing list before you buy it—or by taking some simple steps yourself!
2. Ceiling fans use about half the electricity of a central AC unit.
A ceiling fan is about half as efficient as a central AC unit.
The same amount of electricity that goes into your home would power three ceiling fans or six window air conditioners (AC).
That’s because ceiling fans are so efficient in using energy that they don’t need any large motors to spin them, and they don’t need to be blowing air fast enough to need a powerful motor.
So while you might want to keep your central AC unit running all day, if you have a ceiling fan installed in your room, you’ll probably be able to use it as a part of your cooling system and save money on your electric bill.
3. Ceiling fans are most efficient when used properly.
Ceiling fans are most efficient when used properly. They’re also most efficient when used in the right direction.
If your room faces south, then use a south-facing speed setting on your fan and tilt the blades upward so that they blow air out of your house instead of into it (this will help keep heat inside).
If you have an East-West orientation, then try setting your fan up so that its blades blow air outward rather than inward (this will help keep cool air circulating throughout your home).
Finally, make sure not only do you place this appliance where there’s adequate circulation but also make sure that no one is directly underneath it!
4. They don’t use a lot of electricity, but you can make them even more efficient.
The first step to making your ceiling fan more efficient is to make sure it has a low-wattage motor. This will help you save money on electricity and also make your home look nicer, as the blades will not be as loud or visible.
If you want even more savings, consider buying a ceiling fan with an energy-efficient rating of A+++. These fans run quietly at moderate speeds and use less power than older models do. They’re also easier on the environment because they tend to last longer than other types of fans
Understanding CFM
If you’re in the market for a ceiling fan, you’ve probably heard the word CFM thrown around a lot. But what does it mean? Is it the most energy-efficient option you can consider?
CFM Definition
CFM stands for “cubic feet per minute,” and it’s used to measure how much air a fan can move. This is important because it helps you determine which fan will work best for your needs.
If you have a large room that doesn’t get much ventilation, then you’ll need a higher CFM ceiling fan. If you have a small room with lots of windows, then you might want to go with a lower CFM ceiling fan so that it doesn’t take up too much space or make your room feel stuffy when it’s on high speed.
For example, if you have a fan that can move 500 cubic feet of air per minute, then it will be rated as having a CFM of 500.
Different Fan Sizes and CFM Ratings
| Room Size | Room Type | Blade Length | CFM Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 144 Sq.ft | Utility rooms, Bathrooms, Breakfast Nooks, Small Bedrooms, Patios | Below 42” | 1000 – 3000 |
| 144 – 225 Sq.ft | Mid-Sized Bedrooms, Kitchens, Porches & Dining Rooms | 44” – 50” | 1600 – 4500 |
| 225 – 400 Sq.ft | TV Rooms, Family Rooms, Large Bedrooms, Small Garages, Gazebos | Above 50” | 2300 – 6500 |
| Above 400 Sq.ft | Open Floor Plans Large Spaces, Halls, Large Garages | Above 62” | 5500 – 13500 |
Want to buy a ceiling fan? Here’s your complete buying guide!
Also Read Our Ceiling Fan Reviews:
Best Kitchen Ceiling Fans
Best Garage Ceiling Fans
But here is another thing you must know about ceiling fan CFM, which is CFM/Watt.
Point To Be Noted
The ratio of CFM/W (cubic feet per minute per watt) is a good way to tell how efficient a ceiling fan is.
The most energy-efficient ceiling fans are those that have the highest CFM/W ratio. This is because it takes more energy to move air than it does to run a fan motor. The higher the CFM/W, the more air you can move with less wattage.
A ceiling fan’s CFM/W ratio is calculated by dividing the cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air moved by its wattage. For example, if your ceiling fan moves 100 cubic feet of air per minute and uses 50 watts, then its CFM/W ratio would be 2.00, or 200%.
Pro Tip!
If you’re looking for an efficient ceiling fan, opt for one with a high CFM/W ratio—ideally around 2.0 or above!
How To Reduce The Cost Of Running A Ceiling Fan
1. Set your fan blades to rotate counterclockwise.
Rotate your fan blades in the opposite direction of the airflow. The air will stay in your room rather than being pushed away by your fan.
This reduces the amount of energy needed to move the same amount of air and makes it cooler for you!
Make sure that when you install a ceiling fan in any room, it’s facing toward the direction where people will be entering or leaving the room (usually on either side). Rotating fans should be set so that they rotate counter-clockwise during operation—so if you’re looking at one from above, make sure it’s rotating clockwise!
It may seem counterintuitive, but installing two separate fans instead of just one can save money because each one uses less electricity than if both were working simultaneously.
However, if there is only one big enough for both purposes, then maybe consider using an attic vent cleaning service instead since these types tend to cost less per year than regular maintenance fees.
Read: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Ceiling Fan Blade Pitch
2. Change the thermostat settings when you use a ceiling fan.
If you use a ceiling fan to reduce the cost of heating and cooling, it is important to know how to set the thermostat. Set your thermostat so that it switches on when the room reaches a certain temperature and switches off at another temperature.
To change these settings:
This way, instead of running all day long, your air conditioner will only run when needed—saving money on electricity bills.
You Might Be Interested In: How To Wire A Ceiling Fan? [Step-By-Step Guide]
3. Use fans only in rooms that are occupied.
If you use ceiling fans only in rooms that are occupied, they can save money. A fan works by pulling air into the room through a louvered grill and then pushing it out again. In doing so, it pushes hot or cold air around the room more efficiently than an AC can do on its own.
This means that when you turn off your central heating or cooling system (and there’s no longer a need for them), the fan will continue to circulate fresh air until it reaches a temperature that doesn’t need to be running anymore.
It could be anywhere from 3 minutes after turning off all systems up to 60-90 minutes later, depending on how big your home is and how much time passes before someone decides to open up their doors again!
4. Keep the fan blades clean.
The most important thing you can do to keep your ceiling fan running smoothly is to keep the blades clean.
You’ll want to use a dry cloth, like an old T-shirt or towel, to wipe down the blades of your fan. If they’re really dirty and need more than that, then it’s time for some vacuum action!
Just make sure that all debris has been removed from each blade before moving on with this step; otherwise, you might have trouble getting any air flowing through them properly (and no one wants that).
Read: Will Ceiling Fan Make Newborn Sick? [Important Guide]
5. Make sure your fan is working efficiently before using it.
People Also Want To Know!
Is it expensive to run a ceiling fan all day?
Yes, running a ceiling fan all day is expensive if it is not energy star rated. This is due to the fact that you must have enough electricity in your home to run the fan while also paying your bills. If you are a student living in an apartment or condo building, running them may become costly. If you intend to leave them on all day, you should upgrade to an energy-star rated ceiling fan to save money on energy bills.
How much does it cost to run a ceiling fan for 24 hours?
A ceiling fan that runs at medium speed will use about 50 watts per hour, which means that if it runs for 24 hours, it will use about 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh).
That kWh costs about $0.10 to produce, so if you paid the national average price of $0.11 per kWh, then running your ceiling fan for 24 hours would cost you $0.12.
How much fan CFM do I need?
The amount of air you need to exchange depends on a few factors, including the total volume of air and how quickly you want to replace it. The basic formula is: Total volume divided by exchange rate equals the total CFM required for your system.
So, for example, if you have a 1,000 cubic foot room and want to replace the air every 5 minutes, then you would need a fan that is capable of moving at least 1,000/5 = 200 CFM.
What happens if CFM is too high?
In order to get the best performance from your fan, you will want to make sure that you are using a fan that can sufficiently cool down the area you need it to. If you are using a fan in a small room, then it is likely that you will not need something with a very high CFM rating.
However, if you are using a fan in a large room such as an office or warehouse, then it is likely that you will need something with a higher CFM rating so that it can effectively cool down the entire area without running out of breath too quickly.
Can Ceiling Fans be Costly?
Yes, ceiling fans can be costly to use.
The main reason for this is that the cost of a ceiling fan can vary widely depending on the size and style of the one you choose. If you’re looking for a small and simple model, it will probably be less expensive than if you were to buy one that was large and ornate.
Another reason that ceiling fans are expensive is that they require maintenance each year or so in order to keep them running smoothly.
Conclusion
Based on the information provided in this article, you should be able to conclude that a ceiling fan uses around 8-12 watts of electricity per hour. This means that, depending on where you live, your ceiling fan may consume anywhere from 0.5 to 1 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity each month.
In addition to this, it is also important to keep in mind that ceiling fans do not use any additional power when they are off—they run silently and save you money by using less energy.
