Power Bill: Which costs more to run/use for 30 days?

Question

So my power bill this month was higher than normal... and well my roommate and I are trying to find the cause...

So here is the situation, our apartments temp is kept on 68 degrees pretty much all the time (she likes it cold, I walk around in a sweatshirt most nights)... The average temp outside is anywhere between 85-100 degress (gotta love North Carolina summers)...

There is a ceiling fan that stays on low sometimes all day, depending on if it gets turned off or not... It is in a 15 foot by 10 foot bedroom to circulate air.

So here is the question:

Over the course of any 30 day period, what would cost more to run? The central a/r that remains at 68 degrees all day for 30 days when the temp outside is 90 degrees, or a ceiling fan that is running on low all day for 30 days?

Any help would be wonderful?

Answer 1

The answers above seem about right.  If you really want to save some money push that thermostat up to 75 or so.   You and your roomate will get used to it in a few days.  You could even spring for another fan to keep the air moving since they use very little electricity.

Answer 2

Air conditioning consumes much energy.  Running a ceiling fan is nothing at all.

Answer 3

The aircondiotioner will use about 10 times more power than the fan.

Answer 4

If you want to have an electric bill that is almost 1/3 of what you are paying now,keep your thermostat on 74 and leave it alone.As it is ,your compressor is running 20-22 hours a day and the meter is spinning and you are seeing it in your bill.

This will work but you must be consistent if you want results.

74

Answer 5

Turn them both off and use them only when necessary and cut down on the time in showers..........and you will be wealty soon.............bye

Answer 6

The central air conditioner will cost many times more to operate than the ceiling fan - about 1 to 2 cents per hour for the fan, compared to at least 20 cents per hour for the air conditioning system, depending on its size (btu's or tons_ and its SEER (efficiency rating).  The idea of the ceiling fan is to keep the air moving, thus evening the temperature throughout the area, minimizing the variation in temperature between the a/c cycling off, on, off, and to provide a more comfortable feeling at a somewhat higher temperature.  So, use both.  Use the ceiling fan(s) to reduce the need for the a/c, then raise the a/c temperature as high as you can and still be comfortable.