Is my fan using less energy when its on a lower setting?

Question

If i put my fan on the "1" setting does it use less, or the same amount of energy than if the fan was on the "3" setting?

(It's a little plug in fan)

Answer 1

The motor in your fan needs less energy to run at a lower speed.  So it does use less energy when you put it on the "1" setting.

Answer 2

yes

as the motor spin:

-slower: require less energy

-faster: require more energy

Answer 3

I would say yes since the fan is moving slower than the high so less energy is being used to move it.

Answer 4

YES.  The total IMPEDANCE of the coil windings of the motor remains the same regardless of the speed of the fan, HOWEVER the RESISTANCE changes with speed.  Restricting the amount of current flow (slowing down the fan), while keeping the VOLTAGE constant raises the resistance a proportional amount (E=IR).  Since power is related to the square of current (P=I²R), the Maximum ratio of current to power will never be more than 1:1.

Answer 5

no

Answer 6

Yes, and if you really care, it uses even less when its turned off.

Answer 7

Yes, your fan does use less energy on the lower level, each level will use more energy.

it should show how much it will use on each level, on the box that it came in.

this also applies to electric heaters.

Answer 8

Yes.

It is like using accelerator to increase speed of a car, more accelerator means more fuel to the engine.

setting "1" means less current than setting "3".

thnks

Answer 9

Well it may be using  less energy but it doesnt have to.

PS: If you really want to make a difference try getting one of those energy saving ones or one of energy star's devices.

Answer 10

It uses less. There may be a plate on the back with wattage ratings for each setting, but definitely it uses less energy to turn slower.

Answer 11

not only does it use less energy, but the fan should last longer.

there's less current going through the windings, so less heat is generated, and there's less "heat fatigue" on the motor.

Answer 12

It uses less but it doesn't use much to begin with on the high setting. So the energy savings is very little.

Answer 13

Yes.  If you want to know exactly how much it uses, there's a gadget  called a "Kill-a-watt" that plugs in between any appliance and the wall, and will read out how many watts it uses, and a bunch of other information.  It costs about $25.

Answer 14

i dont know but id say yes

Answer 15

I'm sure "3" burns more energy than "1". Just like driving, going 70 mph uses more gas than going 55.

Answer 16

Yes, of course and refrain from oscillating the fan, it will use more energy and adds to higher consumption in your electric bill.

Answer 17

yeah i think so

Answer 18

It should be if it isn't call the person who installed it to give you a refund and a cash garente on your next fan.

Answer 19

no not nesasarily it depends what kind of fan u have

Answer 20

yah its using less electricity

Answer 21

Yes.

Answer 22

I'd say it will use less energy since the fan will draw less current (faster means more current drawn from the outlet). The question you need to ask yourself is: is speed 1 good enough for you or does it have to be speed 3? I personally use speed 1 at all times.