Ceiling Fan vs AC Cost Calculator
Compare what a ceiling fan costs to run against an air conditioner, and see the monthly saving from reaching for the fan first.
How it works
Monthly cost = watts ÷ 1000 × hours/day × days × rate · Saving = AC cost − fan cost
A ceiling fan draws a tiny fraction of an air conditioner’s power — tens of watts versus thousands — because it moves air rather than cooling it. A fan does not lower the room temperature; it makes you feel a few degrees cooler through breeze, so the real-world play is to run the fan and raise the thermostat, or use the fan alone on milder days. The comparison here shows the gap in raw running cost so you can see how much reaching for the fan first is worth.
Worked example
A 60 W fan run 8 hours a day for 30 days uses 14.4 kWh, costing $2.45 a month at $0.17/kWh. A 3500 W AC over the same hours uses 840 kWh — $142.80. Choosing the fan when it is enough saves about $140 a month, and pairing them lets you nudge the thermostat up without losing comfort.
Frequently asked questions
Does a ceiling fan cool a room?
No — it does not change the air temperature. It creates a wind-chill effect on your skin that feels about 4°F cooler, which is why you should turn a fan off when you leave the room. It saves energy only when it lets you run the AC less or set it higher.
Can a fan replace air conditioning?
On mild or moderately warm days, yes. In high heat and humidity a fan alone is not enough, but running it alongside the AC lets you raise the thermostat a few degrees for the same comfort, cutting the AC’s much larger energy use.
Which direction should the fan spin in summer?
Counter-clockwise (looking up), so it pushes air straight down and creates a cooling breeze. In winter, reverse it to clockwise on low speed to gently circulate warm air that has risen to the ceiling.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.