4 Reasons to Choose a DC Ceiling Fan

Why choose a DC ceiling fan?  If you have been in the market for new ceiling fans recently, you may have heard talk of AC versus DC ceiling fan motors.  As ceiling fan technology advances, the cost of DC ceiling fans come down, and with some really affordable DC options on the market, DC ceiling fans are becoming the go to for fans, and it’s not just about cost. There are a number of good reasons for this.

Understanding the difference between AC and DC motors is important to understand the benefits DC technology brings to the operation of your ceiling fan.

What is AC and DC?

When we refer to AC or DC, we are referring to the way current flows within a circuit to generate power.  Alternating Current (AC), simply means that the current flows in alternating directions, back and forth.  Direct Current (DC), as its name suggests, refers to current that flows in a single direction.

While we could go into a lot of technical detail about the differences between AC and DC, what we really want to know is what this means for your ceiling fan.

In any ceiling fan, a force needs to be generated that is strong enough to rotate the rotor, and push the fan blades.  In a ceiling fan with an AC motor, this force is generated directly from the power source.  In a ceiling fan with a DC motor, the power source connects to a transformer, which converts the AC power to DC, and then uses magnets to create the force needed to rotate the motor’s rotor. 

Both AC and DC ceiling fans require the same force to rotate the motor’s rotor, and push the blades.  The resulting difference between the two, however, is the amount of energy required directly from the power source to do this.

Understanding the difference between AC and DC ceiling fan motors, highlights some major differences between the two, and some distinct advantages in DC fan technology.

4 Good Reasons to Choose a DC Ceiling Fan

Lower Energy Consumption
Because DC ceiling fans don’t have to generate as much force to turn the fan blades, DC fans don’t use as much energy (up to 70% less) to run and produce the same output as compared to a similar capacity AC fan.  

Quieter
DC ceiling fans are generally much quieter than their AC counterparts.  Although ceiling fan technology has improved significantly, one of the things that AC fans may have trouble getting away from is that “hum” we often associate with ceiling fans.  This hum is, more often than not, an electrical buzz created by the motor working to generate enough force to push the fan blades. It makes sense then, that the operation of DC ceiling fans would be a lot quieter since the force required for blade movement is generated by magnets.

DC ceiling fans are often a preferred option for bedrooms because of this feature.

Improved User Features
DC ceiling fans are generally faster to respond to the remote control, have more speed options, and have the reverse function on the remote.  This leads to more convenience and control in the hands of the users.  By allowing for greater control of things like speed, the life of your ceiling fan can be significantly lengthened.

Improved Design
A DC motor is also compact and light, so there is greater capacity for ceiling fans that are slimmer in design and lighter in weight.  This has allowed for advances in general ceiling fan design, transforming your ceiling fan from simply a practical feature, to one of a design statement.

SHOP Some of our Most Popular DC Ceiling Fan Designs

While there are many benefits to choosing a DC ceiling fan, even AC ceiling fans are an energy efficient form of helping to cool your home, and your final selection can come down to many factors, including budget!

Contact the ceiling fan experts at Rovert Lighting & Electrical to help you wade through the fan speak and find your new ceiling fan!