Ceiling Fan vs Air Conditioning Savings Calculator
Example: Air conditioner power draw: 3000 W · Ceiling fan power draw: 60 W · Cooling hours per day: 8 hrs · Cooling days per year: 120 days · Electricity rate: 0.17 $/kWh
| Seasonal savings | $480 |
| Electricity saved | 2,822.4 |
| AC seasonal cost | $490 |
Worked example
A central AC drawing 3,000 watts run 8 hours a day over a 120-day cooling season uses about 2,880 kWh, costing roughly $490. A 60-watt ceiling fan over the same hours uses only about 58 kWh, or about $10. If the fan lets you skip the AC entirely on those days, you save about 2,822 kWh and $480 a season. In practice a fan often supplements the AC by letting you raise the thermostat a few degrees, which still captures a large share of that saving.
Frequently asked questions
Can a fan really replace air conditioning?
A ceiling fan does not lower the room temperature; it moves air so your skin feels cooler, letting you tolerate a higher thermostat setting. On mild days it can replace the AC entirely, and on hot days it lets you raise the AC setpoint several degrees while staying comfortable, which is where most real-world savings come from.
How much less power does a fan use?
A typical ceiling fan draws 15 to 90 watts, versus 750 watts for a window AC or a few thousand for central air. That is often a 30-to-1 or greater difference, which is why running a fan instead of, or alongside, the AC cuts cooling electricity so sharply.
Should I leave the fan on when I leave the room?
No. A fan cools people, not the room itself, so leaving it running in an empty room only wastes electricity and adds a little heat from the motor. Turn fans off when you leave to keep the savings this calculator estimates.
What is the best way to combine a fan and AC?
Set the AC a few degrees warmer than usual and run the fan when you are in the room. The Department of Energy notes this lets you raise the thermostat about 4 degrees with no loss of comfort, trimming cooling costs while keeping the room pleasant.