The sunny and humid conditions of Singapore cause aircon usage to skyrocket every year. While almost every modern home relies heavily on air conditioning, running it 24/7 takes a massive toll on your monthly utility bills.
This brings up a common debate among homeowners: Aircon vs Fan electricity consumption. While normal fans cannot be compared to an aircon in terms of absolute cooling power, they consume significantly less electricity. By understanding how to combine the two—and knowing exactly when to use your AC fan mode—you can stay comfortably cool without draining your wallet. Here is the ultimate guide to balancing your fan and aircon for maximum energy savings.
Aircon vs Fan Electricity Consumption in Singapore
How much electricity do aircons and normal fans actually consume? A standard aircon running on a high-cool setting can consume around 1,200 watts (1.2 kW) of power. In stark contrast, a standard standing fan typically consumes only about 50 to 150 watts.
To put that into perspective, running your aircon costs almost ten times more than running a normal fan. Instead of pitting these two appliances against each other, it is best to look at them as a team. When used together correctly, they provide optimal cooling performance while keeping your electricity bill in check.
Does AC Fan Mode Use a Lot of Electricity?
Many homeowners wonder if switching their air conditioner to “Fan Mode” is actually cheaper. The answer is yes. When your aircon is running in fan mode, the compressor (the part that consumes the most electricity to chill the air) is turned off. In this mode, the aircon unit functions exactly like a normal fan, consuming only about 100 to 150 watts of power. It circulates the existing air without actively cooling it, saving a massive amount of electricity.
Does Using a Fan With Your AC Save Electricity?
Using your aircon and fan at the same time is one of the most effective ways to save energy. A ceiling or standing fan circulates the cool air generated by the aircon evenly to all corners of the room. This “wind-chill” effect makes your body feel 2°C to 3°C cooler than the room actually is. By turning on a fan, you can comfortably set your aircon temperature to 25°C or 26°C instead of 22°C, heavily reducing the load on the aircon’s compressor and saving up to 10% on your energy bill for every degree raised.
4 Pro-Tips to Maximize Your Savings
- Turn On The Fan Before The Aircon: Heat gets trapped in insulated rooms. Turn on a normal fan and open the windows for 5 minutes to push the hot air out before turning on the aircon. This reduces the initial cooling load on the compressor.
- Switch to AC Fan Mode After the Room is Cool: Once your room reaches a comfortable temperature at night, switch the compressor off and turn the aircon to Fan Mode. The room’s insulation will trap the chill, and the fan will keep the air circulating.
- Use Fan Mode to Ventilate: A well-insulated room can get stuffy. Turn on the aircon’s fan mode (with fresh air intake if applicable) or a standard fan with an open door to replenish oxygen levels and remove lingering odors.
- Stick to the Golden Number (25°C): There is no need to set your aircon to 18°C. Set it to 25°C and let your normal fan do the work of spreading that cool air around you.
Aircon vs Fan Savings Calculator
See how much you can save per month by optimizing your cooling habits.
(Based on avg. Singapore tariff of $0.30/kWh)
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