Is it cheaper to run an AC or attic fan?

Author: Jerel Prohaska  |  Last update: Monday, October 6, 2025

(PG&E) claims that whole house fans use up to 90% less energy than compressor-based air conditioners. During the summer months air conditioning can cost up to $300 a month from June to August.

Is it cheaper to run an attic fan or air conditioner?

Yes, running a whole house fan is generally less expensive than running an air conditioning system. Small whole house fans pull in cool outside air through open windows and exhausts hot indoor air through the attic or roof.

What uses more electricity AC or attic fan?

On average, an attic fan uses an impressive 90 percent less power than an A/C system to cool a home, meaning that your utility bills are likely to be significantly lower. Talk to a local HVAC pro about optimizing attic fan use in your area.

Do attic fans really save money?

By removing hot air from your attic, attic fans can help reduce the workload on your air conditioner, which can lead to lower energy bills. They can also prevent ice damming during the winter months, which can cause damage to your roof and home.

Is it cheaper to run AC or ceiling fans?

Thanks to the cooling properties of ceiling fans, you can help to reduce your monthly energy costs. Most central air conditioning systems cost around 43 cents per hour when they're on, which can really add up over time. On the other hand, a ceiling fan typically costs a paltry one penny to run per hour.

Should you run the attic fan and AC at the same time?

What consumes more electricity, AC or fan?

Fan vs AC Power Consumption Compared

A typical ceiling fan consumes about 60 watts per hour on an average. An average 1-ton split AC consumes around 1,200 watts per hour (1.2 kWh). Power consumed = 60 watts per hour × 8 hours = 480 watts (0.48 kWh) per day.

Is it better to run the fan or AC?

Since fans only create a wind chill effect and don't lower the actual temperature, there's no need to run the fan where nobody will feel it. While ceiling fans use a fraction of energy compared to AC systems, it's still wasted energy if your fan is running in an empty room.

Why don't people use attic fans anymore?

Why are attic fans not used anymore? Due to inefficiencies in relying on existing attic vents for air intake, attic fans have lost popularity. These vents often aren't designed for this purpose, resulting in inadequate replacement air supply.

Is it OK for attic fan to run all day?

You don't need to have your attic fun running all of the time. Having it running only when it's needed maximizes its benefits for your home's AC and overall energy efficiency.

What are the cons of an attic fan?

Here are some of the cons of attic ventilation fans:
  • Maintenance and Repairs. One of the downsides of attic ventilation fans is that they require regular maintenance and repairs. ...
  • Potential Noise Pollution. Another con of attic ventilation fans is that they might be slightly louder than expected. ...
  • Cost.

Do attic fans really help AC?

Attic fans work with your HVAC system by venting humidity–which makes hot air feel even more stifling–out of your attic. The benefit is more than removing hot air from the attic. It also circulates air-conditioned air throughout the house for a more even temperature in all the rooms.

What temperature to set an attic fan?

When it comes to an attic fan's temperature setting, it's best to adjust it to anywhere from 90 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. It's impossible to state a single number because your attic can effortlessly soar above 95 degrees (on average).

How much difference does an attic fan make?

An attic fan's ability to cool down the attic by up to 50 degrees and maintain your attic temperature within 10 degrees of the outside temperature at all times, is something that the A/C can't and will equate to a home that is cooler and an A/C unit that gets far less work than it usually does, which could save you ...

Should I run my attic fan in the summer?

Throughout the year, an attic fan is a great addition to any home. It not only helps to lower your energy bill, but it also makes you feel more comfortable in the summer and prevents harmful ice buildup in the winter.

Do attic fans reduce cooling costs?

Attic fans remove warm air from the attic, and that can help keep the rest of your home cooler, too. Air from a hot attic can seep into your house and make your air conditioner work harder and more often. Not only does that increase your electricity bill, but it can also decrease the lifespan of your units.

Is it okay to run an attic fan all night?

If the evenings are cooler, you can try turning the attic cooling fan off until the morning, but if you notice your HVAC system begins to struggle to keep your home comfortable, you may want to keep running the attic fan overnight.

Do attic fans lower electric bill?

Attic Fans and Energy Costs. Summer may be ending, but there are still many warm, humid days ahead. Do yourself and your energy bill a favor by installing an attic fan that will lower the temperature and lower your energy bills.

What time of day should I run my attic fan?

Attic fans ventilate and exhaust your attic only and are used primarily during the day, but they work well in the evening and night as well. Attic fans pull air from the outside through existing vents in the attic.

Can you have too many attic fans?

It is absolutely possible the ventilation system on your roof is excessive. Maybe your home is older and prior ventilation was installed by a homeowner, or incorrect vent sizes were used in an older roof layout. Too much ventilation can negatively influence the attic's and home's insulation as well.

Is an attic fan cheaper than air conditioning?

The cost of operating a whole-house fan is also less expensive compared to an air conditioning unit. While energy usage will vary depending on how much you use it and what type of unit you have, in most cases it's pretty much accepted that whole house systems are less expensive and use less energy.

Which is better, ridge vent or attic fan?

If you had to choose just one—and your attic has a great need for ventilation—an attic fan is your best bet. Attic fans in the $300 to $400 range can move upwards of 5,000 CFM. For lower capacity ventilation at a steep cost savings, a ridge vent might be your best choice.

How to get hot air out of an attic?

But the big four hot attic solutions are: installing a radiant barrier, attic insulation, attic ventilation, and sealing cracks & air leaks.
  1. Install Radiant Barriers. ‍ ...
  2. Replace Attic Insulation. ‍ ...
  3. Ventilate The Attic Space. ‍ ...
  4. Seal Off Cracks And Prevent Leaks. ‍ ...
  5. Conclusion. ‍

Is it cheaper to have a fan or AC?

Use fans to help the AC

Fans are cheaper to run than air conditioners, and can be used in place of air conditioners or along with them to save money.

What uses less electricity, AC or fan?

The cost of air conditioning

As a result, parking yourself in front of a fan is significantly more energy efficient. Fans use around 1% of the electricity consumed by air conditioners. You could leave a fan running for a full 24 hours and still use less energy than 15 minutes of air conditioning.

Why should we not use a fan when AC is on?

It only makes you FEEL cooler because it's moving air over your skin, carrying the heat away from your body. This is the wind chill factor you hear on the Weather Channel so often. So it's doing nothing to lower the temperature in your home, meaning your A/C will run just as long whether the fan is on or not.

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