Fans are the most cost-effective way of keeping room temperatures cool on a hot day. But, how much does it cost you to keep your fan running on a hot day?
There are several factors that influence the amount of energy and eventually the costs of running your fan. In this article, let’s review all the factors that determine the amount of electricity you will use on your fan.
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How Much Energy Does a Fan Consume?
There are various factors that influence the rate of energy consumption for your fan. Some of these factors include size, shape, and models. It is hard to estimate an average wattage for the fans due to these factors.
However, for most fans, the wattage ranges from 3 and 200 watts, depending on the power settings and the fan model.
Most fans utilize 0.0011 kWh to 0.0998 kWh of electricity per hour. To calculate the amount of electricity the fan uses, apply this formula:
kWh = Fan Wattage X Duration of Use (Hrs.) / 1000
Here’s a table illustration for the same.
|
Fan Type |
Average kWh(Low) |
Average kWh(Max) |
|
Ceiling fan |
0.0036 kWh / hour |
0.0311 kWh / hour |
|
Tower fan |
0.044 kWh / hour |
0.0565 kWh / hour |
|
USB/Table Fan |
0.017 kWh / hour |
0.0425 kWh / hour |
|
Box fan |
0.0473 kWh / hour |
0.073 kWh / hour |
|
Type of Fan |
Average Watts (Low) |
Average Watts (max) |
|
Ceiling Fan |
3.6 Watts |
31.1 watts |
|
Tower Fan |
44 watts |
56.5 watts |
|
Table/USB Fans |
17 Watts |
42.5 watts |
|
Box Fan |
47.3 Watts |
73 Watts |
Different Types of Fans
Here are the different types of fans.
- Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are large, with a wattage ranging from 90 to 180 watts. Due to their large sizes, they require more energy to run. On average, the ceiling fan runs at 1.3 kWh to 3 kWh per hour depending on the size.
- Pedestal Fans
The pedestal fan, also known as stand fans, operates by oscillating back and forth to distribute the cool air across the room. However, they are a bit bulky with visible blades and can occupy a larger space. On the positive side, they are highly durable and powerful.
- Tower Fans
The tower fans are lightweight, easily portable, and sleek. You can easily move them around the room with much ease. The blades in tower fans are invisible. It blows air over a large area thanks to the electric motor which propels the casing up to 90 degrees right and left. Tower fans are energy-efficient compared to other types of fans.
- USB Fans
Also known as the compact fans or table fans. They are the smallest type of fans and are powered using USB that you can plug into the computer or a wall socket.
They are mostly used for close-proximity cooling such as when you are working on an office desk. USB fans are less expensive compared to other types of fans and have a low energy consumption rate.
- Floor/Wall Fans
The floor/wall fan has two types of configurations. You can mount them on the wall or place them on the floor. The fan comes with a stand for easy placement. If you intend to mount it on the wall, it comes with wall brackets and other hardware for installation. Floor/wall fans come in varying sizes, shapes and kinds.
Tips for Lowering Your Electricity Costs of Running a Fan
As discussed above, a fan is one of the most cost-effective ways of keeping your home cool during hot weather days. But, you can further cut down on your costs by adopting some energy-efficient measures. Here are five tips to enable you to pay less electricity costs while using your fan.
- Place the Fan in a Convenient Location in the Room
The location of your fan determines its efficiency, notwithstanding its type. If you're using the ceiling fan, ensure the blades are approximately seven or nine feet from the ground and around 10 inches away from the ceiling.
Enough space allows for adequate clearance for air circulation. Ensure there is a free circulation of air where you place the fan.
- Switch Off the Fan
Keep the fan completely switched off when not in use. If the fan is in the standby mode, it can consume up to 1.1W of electricity. Switching off the fan when not in use can contribute to reduced electricity bills. Consider a fan with an inbuilt timer to help you easily set when to switch your fan on and off.
3. Clean the Fan Regularly
With time, your fan accumulates dust and other types of dirt. The dirt clogs fan’s vents and covers the blades. The blades become heavier, resulting in more friction, thus less efficient at producing strong current.
Also, clogged intake air vents inhibit free flow of air, thus affecting the fan’s efficiency. Use the manufacturer guide when cleaning your fan.
- Observe the Fan’s Speed Settings
Keep your fan at the lowest speed settings. The slow fan speed will create a steady breeze that will cool off the room and keep the temperatures at optimum. Blasting your fan on the highest speed settings produces more heat and results in high electricity usage.
5. Choose an Energy-Efficient Fan Model
A major factor that determines the amount of energy your fan will consume is its model. Some fan models consume more energy than others. Consider the most energy-efficient fan to keep your electricity costs low.
Using Solar Energy to Minimize the Cost of Electricity When Running a Fan
A long term solution to minimizing the cost of electricity in your household, especially when running appliances such as fans, is utilizing solar energy.
Therefore, to harness solar energy for running your fan, you need a solar system consisting of solar panels and a solar generator.
Here are some of the recommended BLUETTI solar generators and batteries that you can consider to minimize the energy costs in your home.
BLUETTI Portable Power Station
The BLUETTI power stations are an incredibly dependable battery-powered storage system. The stations come in different sizes and varying power capacities to suit your needs. They have several outlet ports such as DC ports, AC, USB, and carports. You can use the stations to charge your laptop, smartphones, heaters, kettles, refrigerator among other appliances and devices. The BLUETTI power stations are carefully engineered to provide a dependable power source and serve you for years with minimal or no maintenance. Here are some of the BLUETTI power stations.
1. BLUETTI EB3A Power Station
Features
- High Power Capacity- Although the EB3A is compact-sized, it does not disappoint with its power capabilities. You can count on it to deliver on major tasks such as powering your small sized appliances such as rice cooker, blender, fan, and refrigerator. It features a 600W AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter and 268WH capacity.
- Fast Charging- You charge the EB3A from 0% up to 80% in just 30 minutes. By the time you are done with your cup of coffee, the 430W power station is fully charged. It allows you to access power on demand.
- 6 Recharging Modes- You can recharge the EB3A in six different ways, via AC+Adapter, AC + Solar, car, generator, solar panels, and AC. The charging flexibility of the power station allows you to easily access power to keep your fan and other appliances on.
- Safe to Use- The EB3A power station is safe to use anywhere, inside your house, in the car and outdoors. The safety of EB3A is enhanced by the use of LiFePO4 battery together with BMS (Battery Management System). The LiFePO4 batteries are the most preferred due to their longer life cycle, i.e. (2,500 cycles to 80%) and has a remarkable thermal and chemical stability. The BMS monitors and protects the devices from any potential risks.
- 9 Outlet Ports-With EB3A, you can charge all your devices and power your appliances simultaneously. The power station has 9 outlet ports including, the DC, AC,100W Type-C, a wireless charger, and a car socket. With a full charge, the power station will keep your fan running for up to 11 hours.
- Connect with BLUETTI APP- The BLUETTI app is intuitive enabling the user to conveniently access the power station quickly using Bluetooth with a 10m radius.
- Easy Portability- The EB3A is highly efficient compared to traditional generators. It is lightweight for easy portability to allow you conveniently use it indoors and outdoors.
2. BLUETTI AC60 Portable Power Station | 600W 403Wh
Features
- Water Resistant- The BLUETTI AC60 has significant features such as the IP65 rating which protects it from dust and water. Additionally, the power station has a 45 Db level. Therefore, it runs quietly. It has an expandable capacity of 2015Wh, which sufficiently powers your household.
- Access Power Anywhere- The AC60 is compact sized and light weight weighing only 20.06 lbs. You can easily carry it around, allowing you power access anywhere you go.
- High Power Capacity- The AC60 is capable of delivering up to 1200W with a 600W inverter. It can effortlessly power your power thirsty appliances such as grills, hair dryers, rice cookers, among others.
- Versatile Outlets- The AC60 power station features 7 versatile outlets allowing you to simultaneously charge all your devices such as electric blanket, laptops, ice makers, refrigerator, rice cookers, etc. It is a great companion for outdoor activities.
- Flexible Power Capacity-The AC60 features 403Wh using the LiFePO4 battery with 3000+ cycles up to 80%. You can pair the AC60 with 2x B80 expansion batteries at 806Wh each for a whopping 2,015Wh. With such power capacity, you can power all your devices for hours.
- Convenient Charging- The BLUETTI AC utilizes the turbo charging technology allowing you fully charge the power station within one hour with AC. Additionally, you can power the station with solar, car, or lead acid batteries.
3. BLUETTI AC300 + B300 | Home Battery Backup
Features
- Super Expandable Power- The AC300 is BLUETTI’s first 100% modular power station. It can take an external battery pack to boost its capacity up to 12,288WH. It will power all your appliances and charge all of your devices for hours.
- 5400W Fast Charging- You can charge the generator using both solar panels and adapter. The AC300 has a remarkable input rate of 5400W.
- 5 Recharging Modes- You can recharge your generator in five different ways including solar panels, car, wall outlet, generator, and lead-acid batteries.
- 24/7 UPS Home Backup- The BLUETTI Smart Home Panel allows the user to tie the AC300 power generator to the home grid. You can always stay ready for power outages.
- Several Output Ports- The power station comes with multiple output ports to allow you recharge your devices and appliances all at once. Some of the key output ports include the 12V/30A DC port, NEMA TT-30, and a wireless charging pad among others.
Final Thoughts
As discussed in this article, fans vary in size, type, and models. Different types of fan vary in efficiency and the power consumption rate. If you are shopping for a fan, we hope this article sheds light on the type of fan that is ideal for you. Consider the wattage, size, fan speed, and the CFM.
To minimize the cost of electricity consumed by your fans, shift to using solar energy. The BLUETTI solar panels and solar batteries are extremely durable and highly efficient for powering your household including running your fans.
