How much energy do ceiling fans use?
Fans use no more electricity than light bulbs. Typical wattages for various ceiling fan sizes are: • 36″ = 55 watts • 48″ = 75 watts • 52″ = 90 watts • 56″ = 100 watts For example, a 48″, 75-watt fan used 10 hours a day at half speed or less would cost $.50 to $.90* a month to operate. For a 1,500-square-foot house with air conditioning using two ceiling fans and raising the thermostat setting could save about $70 to $200* over a six-month cooling season. Prices Ceiling fans can cost anywhere from $30 to more than $1,000, but most are sold in the $50 to $100 range. You can recover your investment in a fan through the energy savings you achieve with a higher thermostat setting. The more a fan costs, the longer it takes to recover your investment. Portable Fans Portable fans save energy too. In the spring and fall when the night is cool, use a portable fan in your window to blow cool air into your house either late at night or early in the morning. * Savings are calculated at $.08/kWh fo
