Is it cheaper to run a fan or a window air conditioner?

With the change of season upon us, it’s a good time to invest in climate control as well as your comfort. While both AC and fans have their notable merits, there are some key factors to consider when making your decision in determining what your ideal unit for climate control would be.  Factors such as lower upfront costs, lower environmental impact, better electricity savings and an ice-cold home all need to be taken into account.

Unfortunately, there’s no universal approach to this, so we’ve assembled this easy guide to break down all of the pros and cons of owning and running these systems.  Since we’re all endeavouring to stay cool in summer, choosing the right type of temperature control is important for your family and your budget. 

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CEILING FANS

Ceiling fans are a staple in many Australian homes, and for good reason. Their fuss-free operations are beloved by Australians in summer, both in and outdoors.  Fans can cost as little as 2c per hour to run, but does a warmer climate justify such a low running cost? 

The vital factor to remember when considering a ceiling fan is that they don’t actually cool the environment they’re in. They are tasked with circulating the air thereby cooling the skin down. When you enter a fanned room, you’ll rarely feel a chilled presence unless it’s used in conjunction with a natural breeze or air conditioner. 

PROS 

• Fans are cheaper and more energy-efficient to run compared to air conditioning. When running a ceiling fan with the windows open during cooler parts of the day, a fan draws cooler air into your home.
• A ceiling fan can use up to 90% less energy per hour with fans using on average 65 watts per hour in comparison to the 2,200 watts on average, per hour that air conditioners use.
• They don’t usually require maintenance and are unlikely to break down or malfunction.
• They’re efficient in outdoor spaces.
• Fans don’t remove humidity from the air, drying out the skin.

CONS 

• Fans do not actually cool down the space. 
• There are blades spinning which can create substantial noise.
• There is limited temperature control and reach with ceiling fans.
• Fans generally don’t have the power to reach every corner of the room with power limitations and even air distribution. 

Read more HERE on how to choose the right fan and installer for your home.

Expert tip: Make sure ceiling fans are energy-efficient and have fan blades that are tilted instead of flat. Many out-date fans have almost flat blades, and fans without tilted blades work less efficiently. This style of fan can’t move enough air to make you feel cool, and they have to be run on high all the time to get any cooling effect at all. 

AIR CONDITIONERS

As temperatures gradually increase every year due to global warming, there has been an upwards trend in Australia to forgo fans all together for new energy-efficient split systems. While ceiling fans work to lower body temperature, air conditioners actually affect the temperature of the room, demonstrating their effective nature at cooling the home.

AC units can be used for both heating and cooling purposes.  The investment will be more expensive at the onset and running costs slightly higher than fans, but with the Australian weather, an AC unit will ensure your family stays comfortable and well!

PROS

• Air conditioners are very effective at cooling spaces in addition to cooling and dehumidifying. 
• The effects of AC are felt much faster by those who struggle to deal with heat.  An AC unit is able to drop the temperature in an environment at a rapid pace. 
• These units can be programmed to maintain a specified temperature, while also turning on and off at specific times.
• Air conditioners are easy to use and can evenly distribute air. 

CONS

• The main drawback with air conditioning is the initial investment cost. The cost of the unit, installation, power usage as broken down by Canstar Blue details that varying sized split systems can cost anywhere between 33c-95c an hour to run. If running these units for eight hours a day, during the month of January alone, one may expect a unit to cost anywhere between $80 – $230 in power alone (remember not every day is extremely hot).*
• Split systems require regular maintenance in order to keep the filters clean and functioning. Like all things, if not cared for they can break down and be costly to repair. 
• AC’s can dry out the air being cooled and harbour bacteria in unmaintained units. 
• They’re ineffective in outdoor spaces.

Read more HERE on how regular maintenance can help you save on your utility bills. 

*In the state of Victoria, eligible households can receive up to $1000 in government rebates and reduce upfront costs when updating to an energy-efficient reverse-cycle air-conditioner. Read more about this government initiative 

CLICK HERE

The verdict 

With the substantial pro’s and con’s of each unit, it is clear that personal preference is the deciding factor when it comes to your home’s thermal relief. 

With electricity costs continuing to rise, and some estimates placing climate control at around 40% of the total cost of household energy bills over the course of a year, it’s worth asking yourself if an ‘initial higher investment & better cooling system/comfort for air conditioning is the path you want to take? Or is a lower initial outlay and reduced cooling/comfort using a ceiling fan the right choice for you and your family? 

What do we suggest?  If you have both a fan and air conditioner in your home, we recommend running the air conditioner for a short period of time when you enter your home or room, then once it’s cool use the ceiling fan to circulate the colder air. This eliminates the hardest work needed from both air conditioner and fan and quite effectively helps keep the cost of cooling your home low. 

The next steps

Whether you’re looking at upgrading your split system,  installing an outdoor fan, or servicing your unit, O’Brien Electrical Narre Warren is your first choice for local electrical experts. 

With over 20 years of servicing Melbourne and the surrounding suburbs, we’re confident that our electricians possess the experience and the up-to-date knowledge necessary to service, correctly size and install any fan or air conditioner. 

With fully stocked vehicles ready to complete your home electrical projects, we don’t take risks.  Let us look after your thermal needs and remove the hassle of sizing and installing the correct system for your home. Call us today and speak with one of our friendly team to organise your quote. 

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