Energy advisor Iván Terrón has calculated that running a ceiling fan continuously for 24 hours a day costs roughly 25 cents daily in electricity.
Over a 30-day month, continuous use of a ceiling fan adds about 7.50 euros to a household energy bill, offering a low-cost alternative during summer heatwaves.
Terrón shared the breakdown in a video published on his Instagram account, @ivanterron_asesor, where he provides advice to help consumers save money on electricity and gas. He explained that a ceiling fan consumes between 50W and 70W, which equals 0.05 kW to 0.07 kW per hour.
Taking a reference average electricity price of 15 cents per kilowatt-hour, operating a 70W fan for 24 hours a day leads to a daily expense of approximately 25 cents. Over 30 days, this totals around 7.50 euros, whereas running air conditioning continuously can increase a monthly electricity bill by up to 60 euros.
How ceiling fans cool the body
Despite the refreshing feeling, experts note that fans do not actually cool the surrounding air. Specialists explained that a ceiling fan does not lower room temperature, but instead helps the human body perceive less heat by accelerating the evaporation of sweat.
This physical cooling effect relies entirely on air movement over damp skin rather than refrigeration. In electrical terms, wattage indicates the rate of power draw, while kilowatt-hours measure energy used over time, explaining why low-wattage appliances remain economical during long periods of use.
Ceiling fans versus standing units
Ceiling fans are generally considered a superior choice compared to standing or pedestal fans because they circulate air more effectively. While a ceiling fan distributes air evenly across an entire room, a standing fan directs air in mostly one direction even while rotating.
Because ceiling fans do not blow air directly onto a person's face or neck, they cause less of a drying sensation and are more comfortable to run overnight. Additionally, being mounted high above the floor and operating at lower revolutions per minute, ceiling fans stir up less dust, making them more hygienic for people with allergies.
The guidance comes amid a summer marked by high temperatures and repeated heatwaves, prompting families to search for ways to cool homes without inflating energy bills. The report was published by La Razón, a major national daily newspaper based in Madrid, Spain.
