Cost to run a ceiling fan in South Australia (2026–27)
SA reference tariff · 41.9c/kWh
Typical use (8 h/day, 120 days a year at 35 W) ≈ $14/year on the SA Power Networks rate.
Source: AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8), effective 1 July 2026
| Model band | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient (10 W) | $0.00 | $0.03 | $1.02 | $4 |
| Typical (35 W) | $0.01 | $0.12 | $3.57 | $14 |
| High (100 W) | $0.04 | $0.34 | $10.19 | $40 |
Appliance running-cost calculator
SACeiling fan: 10–100 W typical range.
Often 8+ h/day in summer; cheap enough to leave running.
- Per day (8 h)
- $0.12
- Per month
- $3.57
- Per year (120 days)
- $14.08
Tariff: 41.9c/kWh — AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8) for the SA Power Networks network, effective 1 July 2026. Wattage basis: Bright Force Electrical — ceiling fan running costs. Full ceiling fan costs in SA →
The same appliance in other states
Cutting the cost
A fan cools people, not rooms, so switch it off when you leave. Set it to spin anticlockwise in summer to push air downward; that breeze lets you sit comfortably at a warmer air-conditioner set-point, which is where the real saving lives. Many models reverse for winter to draw warm air off the ceiling and mix it back into the room. It costs a fraction of what cooling does.
Frequently asked questions
- What does a ceiling fan cost per hour in SA?
- $0.01 at the typical 35 W draw on SA's reference rate of 41.9c/kWh (SA Power Networks network). Efficient models run $0.00, high-draw models $0.04.
- How is this calculated?
- Watts ÷ 1,000 × the tariff = cost per hour, then × hours × days for the period figures. Every figure on this page uses SA's 2026–27 reference rate — change the assumptions in the calculator above.
- Is the tariff here what I actually pay?
- It's the AER Default Market Offer 2026–27 (DMO 8) usage rate for the SA Power Networks network — the government reference. Your market offer may be a little under it; your zone may differ. See SA rates by zone.
Related
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- Bright Force Electrical — ceiling fan running costs
- Australian Energy Regulator — DMO 2026–27 final determinationverified
Often 8+ h/day in summer; cheap enough to leave running.