There’s a lot to think about when you’re installing ceiling fans at your place, but it’s worth the effort. Cheap and therefore ‘green’ to run, quiet operation for a lovely breeze and ideal air circulation, and endless style options to match your personal preferences and existing decor. But as we said, there’s a lot to think about: size, style, features, professional installation and more – but did you know you might also need to choose between an AC or DC ceiling fan?
What are AC ceiling fans?
First, if the AC vs DC ceiling fans question makes you think of an iconic Aussie rock band, a quick run-down:
- AC (alternating current) is the electrical power that changes direction
- DC (direct current) is a one-directional electrical current.
All across Australia, the current supplied to your home is AC – for a simple reason. Because of its ability to move backwards and forwards, it’s a lot easier to get from the generation point along those power lines to your street. So if you’ve had an older-style (pre-2016 or so) ceiling fan in the past, you can be fairly certain that it was AC – because of that easy, direct connection with your home’s AC energy system.
The Pros & Cons of AC ceiling fans:
- Cheap to manufacture, install, maintain & repair
- Limited speed options
- The only ceiling fans with ‘pull cords’
- Noisier than DC ceiling fans
What are DC ceiling fans?
If you had a ceiling fan installed post-2016, however, it could very well operate on DC power – particularly if you remember it being a little more pricey. And that’s mainly because it’s more sophisticated technology, with a DC ceiling fan requiring the ability to convert that supplied AC power into usable DC. However, the benefits are numerous.
The Pros & Cons of DC ceiling fans:
- Highly energy efficient (70% more than AC ceiling fans)
- Slimmer & more compact
- More power options and rotating speeds
- Much quieter than AC ceiling fans
- Only available with remote controls (no pull cords)
- More expensive.
Has that made the difference between AC and DC fans a little clearer? The really good news is that the prices of those more sophisticated DC ceiling fans really are coming down every single month – as the market keeps adjusting to the benefits and the uptake skyrockets. Consumers, remember, are definitely not silly, so even if the ticket price is a little more, you’re still getting not only better functionality but you’ll save much more money over the long term thanks to the enormous efficiency benefits.
AC VS DC ceiling fan – What’s the verdict?
So when it comes to the AC vs DC ceiling fans debate, are you closer to making your decision? In some ways, the choice might simply be logical: perhaps cheaper AC fans for outdoors where noise is less of an issue, and pricier DC fans for a peaceful sleep in the bedrooms and fancier remote control features? Remember, there’s no right or wrong answer – because both AC and DC ceiling fans will give you all of the headline benefits of ceiling fans. So it’s probably just a matter of matching your preferences, required functionalities & features and budget with the perfect product for your space.
Need a little more help understanding DC vs AC ceiling fans? Here at Static Electrics, we’ve installed dozens of both ceiling fan technologies all over the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane & surrounding areas, so why not get in touch with the friendly team for a chat?
