If you’re here, you must have heard of a BLDC (brushless DC) fan. These fans are highly power-efficient and offer several advantages over your regular ceiling fan. Do you remember the transition from those old, highly inefficient bulbs to LED bulbs? Well, the transition to BLDC fans is somewhat similar.
How much better are BLDC fans, and is it worth replacing your normal ceiling fan? Let’s unwrap that in this article. We will be comparing several aspects of the fans, including power consumption, motor, RPM, noise, maintenance, and extra features that make it easier to operate the fan.
1. Power Consumption
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—the power consumption. A normal fan would consume 75W to 80W of power, which might not seem like a lot until you hear what a BLDC fan consumes. A BLDC fan consumes only 28W to 35W of power on average, depending on the exact model that you get.
Moreover, most BLDC are BEE 5-star rated, giving you assurance on energy savings (lower electricity bills). Plus, BLDC fans use DC current, thus reducing the risk of a power outage as well as lowering the amount of energy wasted during the operation as compared to the AC current used on normal fans.
2. Controls
Now, let’s talk about the controls here. We are all well aware that normal fans have 2 controls: an ON/OFF switch and a speed regulator that’s built into the power outlet. However, a BLDC fan opts for a more convenient approach by offering users the ability to control not just the fan speed but also set an ON/OFF timer or activate sleep mode for better performance and comfort.
And yes, all of this can be controlled using the included remote control or the companion app on your smartphone (if your BLDC fan does support it). Some BLDC fans also have an LED light built-in that you can turn on or off.
3. Motor
BLDC fans, as the name suggests, use a brushless DC motor that operates on permanent magnets. On the other hand, a normal fan uses an AC motor with brushes (of course), which operates on electromagnets. A part of the reason why BLDC fans consume such low power is that they don’t need to spend extra energy operating the electromagnets inside, as is the case with a normal fan.
Coming back to the motor, because the motor does not have any brushes (which are known to depreciate over time), a BLDC fan would age better than a normal fan and last you longer without a ton of maintenance.
4. Maintenance
Speaking of which, the maintenance of BLDC fans is also simpler compared to normal fans. Since BLDC fans do not have brushes, there is no need for frequent brush replacement or lubrication. This reduces the maintenance requirements to occasional cleaning of the blades and the exterior.
Normal fans, on the other hand, require periodic maintenance to replace worn-out brushes and lubricate the motor, which can be cumbersome and costly over time.
5. RPM (Speed)
Now, let’s dive into the RPM aspect. RPM, or revolutions per minute, determines how fast the fan blades rotate and, thus, how effectively the air is circulated in the room. BLDC fans typically have a higher RPM range compared to normal fans.
BLDC fans usually operate at around 340 to 400 RPM, while normal fans start at a lower speed of around 200 RPM and can go up to 300 RPM or more.
6. Noise
A higher RPM would translate to more noise, right? Well, not in the case of BLDC fans. Let’s go back to the motor section that we touched upon earlier. I said that the BLDC fans use a brushless design, which means that the amount of friction produced is zero.
No friction means completely silent operation. Unfortunately, with normal fans, the friction generated leads to a noisy operation. So, if you want your room to be silent, a BLDC fan is the way to go.
7. Carbon Emissions
At the end of the day, we should also take into account what’s better for the environment and the planet that we share. A BLDC fan consumes less power, which essentially means lower carbon emissions as compared to a normal ceiling fan.
8. Total Operation Cost
When it comes to pricing, normal fans may appear more attractive due to them being less than half the cost of a BLDC fan. That said, you must also take into account the total cost of operation.
What is the total cost of operation, anyway? Well, it’s the total money that you would spend operating the fan, including the initial cost of purchase, power consumption, as well as the maintenance costs.
If we compare a normal fan and a BLDC fan side by side, we can see that the normal fan is much more affordable than a BLDC fan. However, you can recover the extra money you paid for the BLDC fan in just over a year. Not to mention, you’d enjoy huge savings on your electricity bill over the next five or even ten years.
Here’s a comparison chart to give you a better idea on the total cost of operation.
| Normal Fan | BLDC Fan | |
| Power Consumption (Watts) | 75W | 28W |
| Per Day Usage (Hours) | 16 | 16 |
| Total Power Consumed Per Day (Units) | 1.2 | 0.45 |
| Cost of Operation Per Day (at ₹7/unit) | ₹8.4 | ₹3.15 |
| Cost of Operation Per Year (₹) | ₹3,066 | ₹1,146 |
As you can see from the chart above, you can save ~₹1,500 annually when using a BLDC fan.
Summing Up
| BLDC Fan | Normal Fan | |
| Power Consumption | 28W to 35W on average | 75W to 80W |
| Controls | Remote control or app with additional features | ON/OFF switch and speed regulator |
| Motor | Brushless DC motor with permanent magnets | AC motor with brushes |
| Maintenance | Occasional cleaning; no brush/lubrication replacement | Periodic maintenance for brush/lubrication replacement |
| RPM (Speed) | 340 to 400 RPM | 200 to 300 RPM or more |
| Noise | Quiet operation due to brushless design | Noisy operation due to friction |
| Carbon Emissions | Lower due to less power consumption | Higher due to more power consumption |
| Total Operation Cost | Higher initial cost but lower long-term operation cost | Lower initial cost but higher long-term operation cost |
Which One Should You Buy?
You should get the BLDC fan due to its significant advantages in energy efficiency, lower maintenance requirements, and also the environmental impact. While the initial cost may be higher, the long-term savings and benefits make it a clear winner. If you’re looking for a fan that offers both performance and sustainability, the BLDC fan is definitely the way to go.
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