With energy prices climbing and sustainability becoming an increasingly relevant concern, more Australians are asking: How much does a ceiling fan cost to run? Whether you’re weighing up cooling options or simply want to make the most out of your fan, we’ve broken down everything you need to know.
“[Electric ceiling fans] are a very cheap form of cooling, and cost only a few cents per hour to run.” – Sustainability Victoria
This article will guide you through calculating fan costs and includes real-world examples using average Australian electricity rates and provide helpful insights into making your heating and cooling as cost-effective as possible.
Why Ceiling Fans are a Cost-Effective Option:
Cost of living and energy efficiency are now front of mind for many Australians, it’s helpful to know which methods of cooling stand out as being both effective – and cheap to run.
Electric ceiling fans are one of the most energy-efficient ways to stay cool.
“Ceiling, wall-mounted or portable electric fans can be a cheap and effective way to stay comfortable on warm days and, humid summer nights.” – Sustainability Victoria
They don’t lower room temperature like air conditioners do, but they do create a wind-chill effect that helps your body cool itself more efficiently. The result? You can feel cooler without blasting the air con — and at a fraction of the cost.
Thanks to its DC motor, the Choice Rated Fanco Horizon is a High Airflow fan that uses very little energy.
The Fanco Gaia is class leading in terms of energy efficiency - consuming only 1 watt on low speed!
Understanding Fan Motors
The Heart of the Fan, AC vs DC motors.
Ceiling Fans are powered by one of two types of motors, AC or DC.
By their nature fans have an inherently low energy usage, especially DC fans. However each motor type has advantages that make them both equally viable for very cost effective cooling.
Without getting into the specific engineering nitty-gritty of this, we have prepared a very simplified set of examples to showcase the difference between the two.
If you would like to get a more in depth understanding of this you can read more here.
Benefits of AC Motors:
- Generally cheaper with many quality options under the $200 mark
- Typically uses more reliable and simple hard-wired wall controls
- More straightforward designs with less chance of components aging
Benefits of DC Motors:
- More Modern Technology – uses 70% less energy than AC fans
- Faster to respond to controls and has more speed options, usually double the options an AC fan has.
- More compact and lighter motor, allowing for sleeker fan designs
Comparing AC & DC Motor Running Costs
To put these differences into a more approachable context, have prepared these tables comparing two very popular AC and DC fans from the same product family – The Claro Whisper. Both these fans share the specs of a typical 48-52” fan – the same type of fan commonly used for bedrooms – and paint a very clear picture of the differences between AC and DC fans.
Prices are based off the average energy prices from finder.com – that being 32c per kWh.
AC Fans Running Cost Example
Claro’s Whisper AC ceiling fan offers a sleek modern design at an affordable price point, making it a Great value bedroom fan.
| Fan Speed | Power | Monthly Running Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 18w | $1.43 |
| Medium | 34w | $7.92 |
| High | 55w | $12.74 |
Prices based off combined Australian average 32c per kWh – Source: finder.com.
Runnig cost based on running fan for 8 hours a day for 1 month.
DC Fans Running Cost Example
The Claro Whisper DC has the same sleek design language as its little-AC-sister, but thanks to its DC motor is significantly more cost efficient.
| Fan Speed | Power | Monthly Running Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 1.7w | $0.39 |
| Medium | 6w | $1.39 |
| High | 26.7w | $6.20 |
Prices based off combined Australian average 32c per kWh – Source: finder.com.
Runnig cost based on running fan for 8 hours a day for 1 month.
Featured Fan - Whisper Low Profile DC
The compact 44" Low Profile version of the popular Whisper uses only 1.5w on the lowest speed.
Other Ways to Reduce Cooling Costs
Combine Ceiling Fans + Air conditioning Together
Pairing ceiling fans with your air conditioning or ducted system is one of the smartest ways to reduce energy costs without compromising comfort. Fans help circulate the cooled air far evenly throughout your home, meaning your air conditioning doesn’t have to work as hard or run as long.
“Ceiling fans can be used in conjunction with an air conditioner to make your home more comfortable by creating a cooling breeze and enabling you to feel comfortable at a higher thermostat setting – this reduces the energy consumption of the air conditioner.” – Sustainability Victoria
The US department of Energy has calculated that with a fan running, you can raise your thermostat by up to 4°C and still feel equally as cool, compared to just running the Air Conditioning as per normal — And every degree higher can translate into real savings on your energy bill. The combination of Ceiling Fan and Air Con is a simple, effective way to stay comfortable and cut cooling costs during the peaks of the Australian Summer.
Using Your Fan in Winter
Ceiling fans aren’t just for summer; they can also help in winter. By switching the direction the fan blades spin (often called reverse mode or winter mode), the way the fan circulates air changes and the warm air that naturally rises to the ceiling is now pushed back down into the habitable areas. This efficiently redistributes heat and can make rooms feel warmer for longer – allowing you to lower your heating settings and save on energy costs.
“In winter, this can be used to push hot air up towards the ceiling and back down around the edges of the room to mix with cooler lower-level air, breaking up the layer of hot air at ceiling level and making it warmer where you need it to be.”- Sustainability Victoria
Learn more about fan directions for summer and winter here
FAQ'S
As little as 0.1 cent per hour on low speed.
Anywhere from under 1 cent to 15 cents per 8-hour day, depending on speed and fan type.
Assuming you run a fan for around 8 hours a day, 7 days of usage will usually be between under $1 to under $2, depending on usage and type of motor.
From under $0.20 up to under $5, depending on usage and type of motor.
Ceiling fans cost a fraction of the price. They’re a great first step before turning on the Air Con, or a tool that can boost the effectiveness of your air-conditioning allowing you to run your aircon on lower settings, with the same or even greater cooling effects.
Ceiling fans are a simple, energy-smart way to enhance your home’s comfort—year-round. When used thoughtfully, they can significantly reduce reliance on more expensive heating and cooling systems, leading to meaningful long-term savings. Whether you’re pairing a fan with your air conditioner in summer, using reverse mode in winter to circulate warm air, or just running the fans on their own the benefits go far beyond comfort.