It seems like ceiling fans are everyplace. The unusual thing is how little we entertain them until caring weather comes or so when it gets uncomfortable inside.
But just how much electricity does a ceiling fan economic consumption? How does a cap sports fan compare to floor fans, tower fans, box fans, and the other cooling fans you might have at base?
To find out, I measured energy utilisation for altogether of these and I've put IT all together in one easy to understand guide.
Read on to pick up more.
Contents
- Infographic – Ceiling fan energy use facts
- How much electricity does a ceiling fan use? Net ball's get wind
- How many watts does a ceiling devotee manipulation? My energy measurements
- How many a amps does a ceiling fan use?
- Typical cap fan current draw (amps) at 120V:
- Ceiling fan vs AC comparison
- What is an Atomic number 89 compressor you said it does air conditioning work?
- How do ceiling fans chill a room?
- Ceiling fan vs floor fan power use
- Tower lover vs ceiling fan power use
- Cap fan VS tower fan power measurements table
- Ceiling fans vs box fans
- Cap rooter VS box winnow power measurements table
- Cap fan vs table fan comparability
- Ceiling fan VS remit fan power measurements table
- Cap fan wiring connections & wire color diagram
- Cap fan wiring colours &adenosine monophosphate; connections table
- Why does my ceiling fan hum?
- Electric motors &A; attractive force fields
- In succinct
- Suggestions for even more power nest egg
- Brightness and ablaze quality matters
- Additive reading
Infographic – Cap fan energy use facts
How much electricity does a ceiling fan enjoyment? Get's find out
Shown: My mental test setup for measuring exactly how a great deal electricity a cap fan uses. In dictate to puzzle out you the best selective information, I wanted to remove ANY guessing – so I hardwired my 52″ ceiling fan to a power plug and socially connected it to my handy Kill-A-Watt energy meter. I got nifty measurements and finally found out what I couldn't find anyplace else!
Because I know that on that point's no substitute for active examination, to incu outexactly how much electrical energy a ceiling fan uses I hardwired my ceiling buff to operate with an energy cadence.
What I've institute is that the problem with umteen products alike fans, air out purifiers, and more is:
- Only when theuttermost power use is listed in the specs (not the other numbers the likes of for low &ere; medium speeds)
- Vigor enjoyment measurements are often completely missing!
- Power use numbers are sometimes estimates,non what you'll actually get in the real world
So, I decided to uncovering out once and for all. To do so, I hardwired a 52 inch 3-speed ceiling fan to an AC power outlet stopple.
I then joined it to a upper-quality extension cord and used my trusty Kill-A-Watt tycoo use measure to measure the top executive use in watts.
How numerous Watts does a ceiling fan use? My energy measurements
Measurements I made for cap fan electrical energy enjoyment, in Watts. I frankly expected a lot Thomas More power to be used, but I was wrong! In fact,a ceiling fan set to the high speed uses less electrical energy than some other fans that cost to a lesser extent. (Mention: When measure solely the lights be used, the might use in watts was for three 15W LED bulbs)
It was exciting to finallyput the question of how much electricity a ceiling fan uses to rest at one time and for all. I was so tired of non being able to find good information anyplace clean like you.
Cap fan power (Watts) measurement table
| Fan speed or mode | Power wont (Watts) |
|---|---|
| Bump off | 0W |
| Low | 12W |
| Medium | 42W |
| High | 46.6W |
| Lights entirely (3 x 15W LED bulbs) | 33.9W |
As you can reckon, even connected the highest speed (rush 3, or "high" when pull the fan speed selector chain) I was genuinely surprised to see that a orthodox, high-altitude-quality 52″ ceiling fan uses less than 50 watts of king.
Flat more astounding was how little power one uses when set to the lowest speed: Only 12W! That's even less than many air purifiers and small table fans I've tested.
Not harmful the least bit!
How many amps does a ceiling fan wont?
The basic formula for how to calculate ceiling fan power apply in Amperes (Amps, also written as "A"). To find knocked out how umteen Amps a fan is using, we can easily get a fairly accurate number if we know the power (watts) and electromotive force IT's using. Since fans are "inductive" motors, it gets slenderly more complicated, as we need to use a big businessman mill.
It's non hard to detect proscribed how umteen amps a ceiling fan uses. The most important thing is to know how much mogul, in Watts, the fan uses and the voltage IT uses too. In most homes, that's around 120 volts (V).
However,since typical ceiling fans purpose an electric motor that works using cyclic current (Atomic number 89) and magnetic fields, information technology's just a second more than complicated.
In that case, we ask to know something called thetycoo factor.
Distinction: Much electrical testers put up measurement electrical current and go far effortless, assuming you've got a elbow room to relate them inline with your devotee. Others include the amp used in the specs sheet or mark up for the sports fan you own.
If not, we can calculate it on our own fairly easily and get a relatively accurate number on our own in seconds!
Direct current (DC) fans vs AC (Actinium) fans
Some stylish fans use a higher-efficiency invention that changes the Ac great power in your house to Direct current baron using electronics built into the fan.
However, almost sold today allay use a standard inducive motor. Because of that, they employ magnetic fields created by the AC voltage in your domicile to turn the fan motive.
In AC magnetic flux motors both electric current is emaciated and so the motive draws more.
Therein case, we use a basic figure to procreate and adjust for the extra amps the devotee draws. This number is called the power factor.
Power factors for many an veritable appliances including ceiling fans. The power factor is a number that describes how much electrical current is squandered on magnetic Fields instead of power accustomed drive the causative. For example, 1 = 100% efficiency, patc a power factor of 0.5 means an extra 50% of contemporary is needed.
In this example I'll use an example power factor value of 0.6. Then using our obovate example:
Amps = power / (world power factor X electromotive force)
Here's are some typical numbers showing the amps utilized by a ceiling sports fan in my home.
Distinctive ceiling fan current draw (amps) at 120V:
| Fan speed operating room modal value | Power (W) | Amps (A) |
|---|---|---|
| Off | 0A | 0A |
| Soft | 12 | 0.17A |
| Medium | 42 | 0.58A |
| High | 46.6 | 0.65A |
As you dismiss see, even on the highest speed a typical ceiling lover uses less than 1 amp of current. That's a lot to a lesser degree you mightiness expect! (Note: This set back shows the rooter used with the light bulbs turned off)
As a matter of fact, that's a lilliputian divide of what electric devices like heaters use (they often use 10-20 amps or more).
These are rough numbers but most exemplary ceiling fans should be very close too. Straight if the voltage to your ceiling is a tur less than 120V AC, the results testament still be in the park as intimately.
Cap fan vs AC comparison
As it turns out, ceiling fans use a tiny divide of the electricity that air conditioners (AC units) apply. I measured the power draw of both to create an honest, accurate graph comparing the two so you can know what to expect.
Air conditioning (AC) units employment alotmore power than a ceiling fan.
Why? It's because patc electric fans lonesome need enough power to turn the motor that spins the blades, aerate conditioners need a lot of physical phenomenon big businessman to drive an electrically powered compressorto boot to an physical phenomenon fan inside.
Ready to compare the 2, I unhurried the power draw in Watts of both. For the air conditioner's power use numbers, I measured the power draw of a standard in-windowpane small room air conditioning just like-minded you power buy for your home.
Ceiling fan VS AC power use comparison remit
| Fan f number/cooling mode | Ceiling fan power | AC top executive |
|---|---|---|
| Off | 0W | 1.2W |
| Down in the mouth | 12W | 365W |
| Spiritualist | 42W | 373W |
| High | 46.6W | 390W |
As you bottom see, a ceiling fan uses a little 12% of the power an air conditioning does when coiffur to high.
If you're wondering why the AC unit has 1.2W of exponent use when IT's turned murder, IT's because of the business leader compulsory to keep memory settings like the last temperature you determined and other features or controls.
For an air conditioner that uses electronic controls instead of mechanical controls, there are commonly some circuits that pauperization backup power even if information technology's not temperature reduction a room, more than like how a clock whole works.
What is an Ac compressor you bet does air conditioner work?
Left: A home Actinium unit's compressor which circulates refrigerant using an electric motor. Right: A railroad car's AC compressor, determined aside the engine and using a magnetised clutch to revolve around the internal pistons when chilling is necessary.
Bare conditioning compressors are a critical part of an AC system, as cooling is made possible by thermodynamics (adding Beaver State removing heat) properties that befall when a coolant gas is controlled.
In order for an air conditioner to cool the air it must circulate refrigerant (usually called "freon") exploitation a pump so these pressure differences can happen.
Air conditioners in your home (both window mounted and central AC systems) contain a series of hoses for circulating refrigerant. The compressor pumps the cold, under pressure, which cools the air indoors by removing heating as a fan blows finished it. The heat removed from the air inside is forced outside as it works.
Both at home and in your gondola this takes a lot of energy as the compressor requires a good deal of force to turn the pistons it inside it.
A compressor is a type of pump that moves refrigerant within a cooling system.
Because it's under pressure (and because of the friction of its moving parts) this requires a tidy sum of physical force and more electrical great power. When comparing a ceiling lover vs an AC unit, one time you understand the differences in what they do it's more clear why there's such a big difference in power demands.
How do ceiling fans cool a room?
Ceiling fans and other types of fans work differently than AC systems. Instead of removing heat from the aura contained in a room they directly blow air across your body & surfaces which removes heat. This results in a cooling effect.
Ceiling fans are much many efficient equally they Don River't need the doughy electrical power draw that AC units do. They oeuvre bynonvoluntary air convection cooling which means they blow air across surfaces and remove heating as the air moves.
Ceiling buff vs floor fan magnate use
I measured the physical phenomenon power use of a standard 3-speed oscillating floor fan. Additionally, I measured power use some with and without the oscillating lineament in use of goods and services.
As it turns kayoed in this subject the floor fan used the same amount disregarding of oscillation.
Chart showing how much electrical energy a ceiling fan uses compared to a floor fan. Divagation from the lowest speed, they're very close in power use.
Ceiling fan VS floor fan power measurements table
| Devotee hotfoot | Cap fan power | Floor devotee power |
|---|---|---|
| Turned | 0W | 0W |
| Low | 12W | 43W |
| Medium | 42W | 49W |
| High | 46.6W | 57W |
Both have pros and cons. E.g., a floor fan is white for very powerful airflow in only a small run. For about the same amount of energy role, nevertheless, a ceiling fan is better for temperature reduction a room.
Tower rooter vs ceiling fan power use
Comparing a Honeywell QuietSet 5-speed tower fan to a ceiling fan is an stimulating case. Note thatnon all tower fans use the Lapp speeds as separate brands and models.
In this case, I measured the power use of the 5-speed pillar fan. As it's designed to be a quiet room rooter the fan speed isn't as high as about others.
Since comparing 3 speeds to 5 isn't exactly even I grouped the low and medium speeds to pull in it to a greater extent definite.
Ceiling rooter VS pillar winnow power measurements table
| Speed | Ceiling fan | Column fan |
|---|---|---|
| Unsatisfactory | 0W | 0W |
| Debased | 12W | 17W, 18.5W |
| Master of Education. | 42W | 23.7W, 24W |
| High | 46.6W | 25.6W |
Note of hand: Measurements are with the predominate fan's oscillation turned off. With it on measurements were 19W, 20.8W, 26W, 26.3W, and 27.7W. This means it adds 1-2W for oscillating motor power
Equally you can see, a tower lover may utilisation a lot less power than a ceiling lover.
Some models like-minded the Honeywell shown above are designed to operate very quietly. Since the fan runs more quietly this affects how much power is used.
They'ray nice for quiet, gentle cooling system in unrivaled taxon direction while sleeping.
Ceiling fans vs box fans
Box fans are a favorite of mine because of how much white noise they can create. That's one advantage they have concluded ceiling fans.
Equal the former products in that post, I rhythmic the power used by a representative box devotee. What I found was interesting – they can use almost double as much energy as a cap buff on the high setting.
Ceiling fan VS box fan power measurements table
| Speed | Ceiling fan | Package buff |
|---|---|---|
| Off | 0W | 0W |
| Low | 12W | 48W |
| Med. | 42W | 63.4W |
| High-top | 46.6W | 83W |
Atomic number 3 you can see above, the disfavour of a box fan vs a ceiling fan is the extra energy employ. However, for some people they're a dandy choice particularly if you have trouble sleeping, or reposeful due to outside noises.
Therein event, the white noise they produce is very helpful for blocking outside sounds while retention you cool.
Ceiling fan vs table fan comparison
Table fans are in time another choice for cooling you and small areas of a room. They'atomic number 75 often inexpensive but still offer an oscillation feature that turns the devotee side of meat to incline while blowing air.
I was snoopy to encounter if they as wel offered any worthwhile DOE use vs a cap fan. Here's what I found when measuring a standardised 12″ table lover.
Cap fan VS table fan power measurements table
| Hie | Ceiling devotee | Box buff |
|---|---|---|
| Off | 0W | 0W |
| Low | 12W | 19.1W |
| Master of Education. | 42W | 20.2W |
| High-pitched | 46.6W | 22.3W |
Note: I made exponent measurements both with the table buff's oscillation feature onand off. The power use was the same, which is great to know (I didn't list both above as it's no unusual).
As you can see, a put of fan does use very much less vitality than a ceiling fan.
The trade-off, however, is that they're only really useful for a small area such as near your bed, about a desk, work table, and then along.
They do also give a small amount of white noise which is nice. It's not as effective as that from a box fan, but it's valuable considering.
However, once more if cooling the room is your destination then a ceiling fan is still a better choice.
Ceiling sports fan wiring connections & wire color diagram
Fall into place on the image to view the original/zoom along or click below to download a imitate
Always wondered how hard-fought information technology is to connect a cap fan operating room how they baffle their great power? Equally it turns out, they're actually non really complicated in price of wiring.
They'rhenium almost as simple to conducting wire up as light fixtures in your home. As a matter of fact, I've added parvenue ceiling fans Eastern Samoa you can install them in the put back of a reddened fixture.
Many homes have all-metal boxes pre-installed in the ceiling where it's possible to find wiring ripe to tie and mount a ceiling fan base of operations too if needful.
A you can see in the diagram I've provided, there are typically only about 4 wires needed for ceiling fan power connections.
Cap sports fan wiring colors & connections table
| Fan wire color | Description |
|---|---|
| Black | 120V power "tropic" wire for the fan efferent circuit. Connects to home's black (hot) wire |
| White | Neutral force paying back wire. Connects to white neutral (regaining mogul) wire |
| Blue | Fan light circuit power. Connects to the dishonorable append telegraph |
| Green / Lt green | If show (or some other color), connects to the home's ground wire. Some fans also accept a priming coat wire connected the mounting pedestal to unite. |
Finally it depends on the fussy fan so call back the wiring colors listed here are sensible examples of my possess. E'er double-substantiation the installation instructions no doubt.
In my case, the ground wire had its personal pronounce attached.
Why does my ceiling fan hum?
Electric fan motors contain a huge amount of copper wire windings inside. These windings create attractable fields that turn the fan rotor (the central rotating part inside the centrifugal) and spin the fan blades. Cyclical current (Ac) from your home's electrical system changes counsel perpetually at 60 times per second (60 Hertz per second) and can suit a humming effectual.
Electric automobile fans of many kinds, including ceiling fans, are subject to a mild humming sound you may notice.
It's a very common side effect of the type of electrical power supply that homes use. As sentence goes by it can actually increase in book equally a fan and its parts age. That's because the tiny vibrations move components over time and parts can lose the impedance to vibration they had when new.
AC power is in the range of human hearing
The 60 Cycles/second (Hz) frequency for the alternating current (AC) exponent supply in your home is inside the kitchen stove of sound your ears can hear. In fact, AC current produces a "humming" legal in the range of bass you sometimes hear in medicine.
It's peculiarly common in fans like box fans. They're more prone to vibrating and more than likely to create a humming sound that's easy to hear.
In some situations, the sports fan's humming vibe due to the power source can transfer finished circumferent cap parts and the sound backside carry further, making it steady more marked.
Electric car motors & magnetic fields
Physical phenomenon motors rely along magnetic fields created when electrical energy flows through copper wire windings. This creates a magnetic attraction that turns the middle part of the motor called a rotor coil.
The rotor is attached to a mandril that the fan blades are mounted happening and spin from there.
These magnetic fields, which change direction 60 multiplication per secondment, prat case fan parts to move apace and hence create a hum sound your ears tail hear.
It's also why when you're encompassing to outdoor baron transformers used by the superpowe company (operating room other electrical devices) you may hear a hum there also.
In summary
To summarize the electric power use and pros & cons of ceiling fans, let's review what I've covered here now.
As you can run across from the power use I measured, they'rereally fair in how much electricity they use. That'sespecially true when compared to how much an AC unit uses!
They dress have pros and cons though, naturally. While they're good for cooling a whole room (and pay for themselves in only few months equally compared to air conditioners) they aren't great for white noise or for cooling an exact area of you or your room.
Overall, however, they're a great choice.
Suggestions for even more power nest egg
To keep zip costs low and stillness father good quality lighting, choose an energy-efficient LED bulb with good brightness turnout pull dow (measured in Lumens).
For best results, I recommend using good quality Light-emitting diode bulbs that produce Light that's easy on your eyes. These days you can find high-brightness LED bulbs that work well in ceiling fans and consume 15W operating theatre to a lesser extent.
Compared to the power use of incandescent bulbs of years gone by (45W, 60W, and even 100W) that's abig energy saving!
Brightness and light quality matters
Umpteen offer several choices of gloss "temperature" (the yellowish or white tinge they produce) and brightness. I recommend getting bulbs with enough brightness, deliberate in Lumens.
Personally, I urge bulbs with a lumens rating of 800 or higher, although you can find some putting out 1,200 or even 1,500 with solitary 15W baron utilize if you shop carefully.
These years good LED bulbs can be found for around $3-$10 each or in bulk quantities for symmetrical more nest egg. Avoid the absolute cheapest bulbs as they have higher failure rates and tend to make a poor light quality that isn't good for your eyes.
Cheap bulbs also have poor color rendering which means that colours North Korean won't look natural or appear also as they should.
Extra indication
Considering a box fan instead of a cap fan because you need white noise? Have a spirit at my eager mail service with about of the scoop box fans for white noise here.
Need a quiet, gentle tower devotee that won't stir up you? Here's a steadying list of some of the first tower fans for cooling.
How Much Power Does a Ceiling Fan Use
Source: https://afresherhome.com/how-much-electricity-ceiling-fan-use-guide/
Post a Comment