So you’ve got a wall fan. Now you’re asking the fundamental question — will it drive up my CEB bill? And does it matter where you place it in the room?
Here’s everything you need to know — no fluff, just facts.
How Much Electricity Does a Wall Fan Use?
Wall fans don’t use a lot of electricity. Most run between 40 and 75 watts. At LKR 30 per kWh, running one for 10 hours a day would cost you about LKR 15–22. That’s less than what your rice cooker uses in a single session.
Let’s break it down.
Most wall fans fall in the range of 45w–75w. Let’s take 50w as an average.
Here’s how it adds up:
| Usage | Power (Watts) | Time | Units (kWh) | Cost (LKR @30/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per hour | 50W | 1 hr | 0.05 | LKR 1.50 |
| Daily | 50W | 10 hrs | 0.5 | LKR 15.00 |
| Monthly | 50W | 10 hrs/day | 15 kWh | LKR 450.00 |
Now think about this — a 1-ton air conditioner uses at least 1,000 watts. So, for every 1 hour of AC, you could run your fan 20 hours.
The bill impact is tiny unless you’re running a fan in every room 24/7.
What Affects a Wall Fan’s Power Usage?
Speed, hours of use, and dust in the motor or blades are the main factors that affect how much electricity a wall fan uses.
Let’s look at speed first.
A fan on low speed may pull just 30 watts. But crank it too high, and it’ll jump to 70 or even 80 watts. If your room stays cool with medium speed, don’t blast it on high all day.
Then there’s usage time. Leaving the fan on while you’re out? That’s money gone. It’s like boiling water and forgetting about it—just a waste.
Now, here’s a thing most people miss: dust. When your fan’s blades and motor are clogged, the fan works harder, the motor heats up, and it pulls more current, which means more units on your meter.
Clean it once a month. You’ll save power, and your fan will last longer and sound better.
Does Placement of the Fan Change Energy Usage?
Yes. When placed right, a wall fan cools the space faster and better, so you don’t need to keep it running on high or for long hours.
Mount it too high, and the air floats around. Mount it too low, and it only hits your knees. The sweet spot? About 6 to 7 feet from the floor.
Angle it diagonally across the room — not directly on you, unless that’s what you want. When the airflow spreads out, it cools faster.
Also, think about where people sit, sleep, or work. Aim it there.
Another trick is to place it near a window or door. This pulls in fresh air and creates a cross breeze, making your room feel cooler without increasing the fan speed.
It won’t do much if your fan is stuck in a dead corner behind a cupboard or curtain. You’ll end up running it longer for no reason.
How to Use Wall Fans Without Running Up Your Electricity Bill
Use your fan only when needed, clean it monthly, avoid running it on high, and keep it away from heat sources like fridges and TVs.
Keep things simple:
- Use low or medium speed for daily use.
- Turn it off when you leave the room.
- Clean the blades and motor vents once a month.
- Avoid blocking airflow with furniture or curtains.
- Place it near a window if you want natural cooling.
If your fan has a timer switch, use it when you sleep. Set it for 1 or 2 hours. After that, your body adjusts, and you don’t need full air.
Don’t run fans in empty rooms. Unlike an air conditioner, fans don’t cool the air — they cool your skin by moving air over it. No one in the room = waste of power.
If your fan’s motor starts buzzing or slowing down, it may be time for a replacement. Newer fans with energy-saving labels use less power and last longer.
Also, if you’re running two or three fans in one room, try opening windows and letting air flow naturally with just one fan. Less clutter, less cost.
Final Thoughts
Wall fans are low-power, low-maintenance, and budget-friendly. Even if you run one for 10 hours a day, you’ll pay LKR 450 per month max—that’s cheaper than running a water heater for an hour.
The real secret is placement and innovative use.
Don’t hide your fan in a corner. Mount it where it reaches people. Angle it right. Use it when needed. Clean it when it’s dusty.
That’s how you stay cool without sweating your electricity bill.
Want a breeze without the bill shock? Your wall fan’s got you covered — as long as you don’t let it run wild.