Once upon a time, fans used a type of motor called a single phase induction motor. These motors have been used for almost 100 years because they are inexpensive to design and manufacture. However, they have some limitations when it comes to energy efficiency. For example, we can’t adjust their speed from zero to maximum using just the voltage and frequency, which means we have to use a regulator that causes a lot of energy loss.
Another issue with single phase induction motors is that they need a starting coil and capacitor to get running. Even when they are running, they continue to flow through this circuit, which is not very energy efficient. Plus, as they get older, they use more power due to problems with their capacitors and windings.
But now, we have a better option: BLDC fans. These fans use an innovative type of motor that allows us to adjust both the frequency and voltage using modern electronic components. They have a variable frequency drive circuit, which means they can be powered by a brushless DC motor (BLDC). These motors have permanent magnets in the rotor, which means they don’t need complicated and wear-prone brush contacts like traditional DC motors.
BLDC fans are much more energy efficient than older fans. At the lowest speed, they can use as little as one-tenth of the energy of an induction motor fan. This means that if you use an induction motor fan for 12 hours a day, replacing it with a BLDC fan could save you a lot of electricity and money. In fact, a BLDC fan can pay for itself in about a year if you use one unit of electricity per day.
Another advantage of BLDC fans is that they don’t require a regulator like older fans do. Instead, they come with a convenient remote control that makes it easy to adjust their speed. Plus, newer smart models can even be controlled using voice commands.
If you have an old induction motor fan that still works, don’t throw it away just yet. You can still use it in rooms that are only used occasionally or on your verandah. But in the future, we’ll all be using electric vehicles, and we’ll need all the energy we can save to charge them. So, it’s time to start thinking about upgrading to a more efficient BLDC fan.
