Ceiling fan vs aircon: what actually saves you money on your SP bill?
Running an aircon all night is comfortable but expensive. Running a fan all night barely registers on your bill. Here's the actual maths on Singapore's electricity tariff, so you can make the call for your own home.
SparkFlow team5 min readThe Singapore electricity tariff in 2026 sits around 32 cents per kWh (it floats with global energy prices — check your most recent SP bill for the exact rate). That number is the key to figuring out whether your aircon habit is eating your salary, and whether a ceiling fan would actually save you anything.
The wattage reality check
Here's how much power common cooling options actually draw:
- 56" DC ceiling fan, low speed: 8–15 watts
- 56" DC ceiling fan, max speed: 28–35 watts
- 56" AC ceiling fan, max speed: 60–75 watts
- 9,000 BTU aircon (small bedroom), running: 700–900 watts
- 12,000 BTU aircon (medium bedroom): 900–1,300 watts
- 18,000 BTU aircon (living room): 1,400–2,000 watts
A modern DC fan draws roughly 40× less electricity than the bedroom aircon it would replace — which is why so many homeowners ask us about a ceiling fan installation when they see their summer SP bill. That ratio doesn't even include the compressor cycling — aircons draw closer to their peak only when actively cooling, but they cycle on/off all night.
What it costs you, per night
Assume 8 hours of overnight use at 32¢/kWh.
| Cooling option | The maths | Per night | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC ceiling fan, medium speed (20W) | 20W × 8h ÷ 1000 × $0.32 | ~5 cents | ~$1.50 |
| 9,000 BTU aircon at 24°C (avg 800W) | 800W × 8h ÷ 1000 × $0.32 | ~$2.05 | ~$61 |
| 12,000 BTU aircon at 22°C (avg 1100W) | 1100W × 8h ÷ 1000 × $0.32 | ~$2.82 | ~$85 |
Numbers in real homes vary — newer inverter aircons cycle down once the room is cool, so actual usage can be 30–40% lower than the peak draw, though a unit that isn't cooling properly will run closer to peak all night. Older non-inverter units run closer to peak too.
Why fans alone aren't always enough
On a 32°C Singapore afternoon, a fan moves air but doesn't cool it. You feel cooler because moving air evaporates sweat faster, but the room is still 32°C. For sleeping, that often isn't enough on the hottest nights — which is when a well-maintained aircon earns its keep, and why keeping servicing costs in check matters to the overall maths.
Where fans dominate aircon:
- Evenings under 30°C — fan alone is plenty
- Active spaces during the day — kitchen, study, living when you're moving around
- Rooms you're in briefly — bathroom getting ready, dressing area
The hybrid strategy (this is the actual money-saver)
Running fan + aircon together is the trick that gets you cool air at much lower cost than aircon alone.
The principle
Set your aircon 2°C higher than you normally would (e.g. 26°C instead of 24°C). Turn the ceiling fan on medium. The fan circulates the cool air faster, making 26°C feel like 23°C — and your aircon now uses ~30% less electricity because it's working against a smaller temperature gap.
At today's SP rates, this typically saves $15–$30 per month on a bedroom aircon used every night. A DC fan costing $400 — and our guide to the best ceiling fans for HDB flats walks through the models worth that price — pays for itself in 18 months, and you sleep just as cool.
Common myths
"Leave the fan running so the cool air circulates"
Half-right. Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms. Running a fan in an empty room saves nothing — turn it off when you leave. The circulation effect is only useful when there are people in the room to feel the air movement.
"DC fans use the same power as AC fans"
False. DC fans use roughly 50–70% less power at equivalent airflow. The brushless motor design is just more efficient — our comparison of KDK, Fanco and Crestar breaks down which brands do DC best. The difference is a real, measurable line item on your SP bill.
"Aircon on 18°C cools the room faster"
False. Aircons cool at a fixed rate — setting it lower just makes it keep running longer. Set it to your target temperature (24–26°C) and pair with a fan for the "feels cooler" effect.
The takeaway
Ceiling fans don't replace aircon in Singapore — but they radically change the maths. Used together, you can sleep at the same comfort level for half the electricity cost.
If you don't have a ceiling fan in your bedroom, the upgrade — a quick job for a licensed electrician if your ceiling needs a fresh mounting point or wiring — will pay for itself within 2 years on bill savings alone, and you'll sleep noticeably better in the months between.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to run a fan or aircon in Singapore?
- A fan is dramatically cheaper. At Singapore's 2026 tariff of around 32 cents per kWh, a DC ceiling fan on medium speed costs roughly 5 cents a night, or about $1.50 a month. A 9,000 BTU bedroom aircon runs about $2.05 a night, or roughly $61 a month.
- How much does it cost to run an aircon all night in Singapore?
- Assuming 8 hours overnight at 32 cents per kWh, a 9,000 BTU bedroom aircon at 24 degrees Celsius costs about $2.05 a night, or roughly $61 a month. A 12,000 BTU unit at 22 degrees costs around $2.82 a night, about $85 a month. Inverter units cycling down can be 30 to 40 percent lower.
- Does running a fan with the aircon save money?
- Yes. Set the aircon 2 degrees higher than usual, say 26 instead of 24 degrees, and run the ceiling fan on medium. The fan circulates cool air so 26 feels like 23, while the aircon uses about 30 percent less power. This typically saves $15 to $30 a month on a bedroom aircon used nightly.
- Do DC ceiling fans really use less electricity than AC fans?
- Yes. DC ceiling fans use roughly 50 to 70 percent less power than AC fans at equivalent airflow because the brushless motor design is more efficient. A 56-inch DC fan on max speed draws 28 to 35 watts, while a comparable AC fan draws 60 to 75 watts. It is a real, measurable line item on your SP bill.
- Should I set my aircon to 18 degrees to cool the room faster?
- No. Aircons cool at a fixed rate, so a lower setting just makes the unit run longer and use more electricity. Set it to your target temperature of 24 to 26 degrees and pair it with a ceiling fan on medium for the feels-cooler effect at a much lower running cost.