One of the biggest threats that we are facing right now is global warming and climate change. While most often, we try to ignore this topic by thinking how we can’t do much about it, what we don’t realize is that even a small change can lead to a better tomorrow.
Believe it or not, one solution that will be crucial for a country like India is to focus on common household appliances likeceiling fans. It may surprise you, but ceiling fans account for around 20% of household energy consumption in India. Without even taking commercial spaces into consideration, this accounts for 3.75% of total energy consumption in the country. This means that a slight change on our end can lead to a reduction in household energy consumption. Energy efficiency in commonhousehold appliancescan be a big step towards a transition from fossil fuels to green energy.
BEE-rated FansWere Not a Compulsion until Now!
BEE, or the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, is the government agency responsible for ensuring electronic appliances follow certain guidelines when it comes to energy efficiency. Based on the test results, the BEE givesstar ratingsto each appliance available in the market. Thestar rating of electrical applianceslets consumers make an informed choice of picking energy-efficient appliances that can help insaving energyandreducing electricity bills.
The star rating scheme covers a total of 28 different consumer products like air conditioners, fridges, and ceiling fans with new appliances and devices added regularly. But displaying star ratings are only mandatory for 10 of these products and is voluntary for the remaining 18 products. The new scheme guidelines will bring voluntary rating products under the mandatory rating scheme in a phased manner.Ceiling fans will mandatorily require to display a star ratingform January 2023.BEE star rating for ceiling fanswill positively affect the energy consumption of every household in India.
Mandatory BEE Star Rating Programme for Ceiling Fans
The mandatoryceiling fan BEE ratingwill require certification of all new model ceiling fans sold in India from January 2023. The implication of this mandate is tremendous. Currently, the most energy-efficient ceiling fans are fans that use brushless direct current electric motors (BLDC motors), a technology that requires an electronic motor controller to drive the rotor.BLDC fansare up to 60% more energy-efficient than conventional induction motor fans.
The mandatory BEE rating in ceiling fans will make larger institutions and government bodies turn to energy-efficient technologies. The mass adoption of these energy-efficient fans will also ensure public awareness. The cost savings of fans will also prove attractive to large-scale industrial users like the textile industry and other industries with large energy costs that can be attributed to ceiling fans.
This is just the beginning of an energy-efficient revolution in India.
How is the BEE Star rating decided for a ceiling fan?
When it comes to BEE ratings, the higher the energy efficiency, the higher the ratings. The rating of aBEE 5-star labelis calculated by its service value. A fan’s service value is the ratio of air delivery in meter cubes per minute divided by the power consumption in wattage. For instance: if a fan gives air delivery of 220 CMM while consuming 50 Watts, its service value will be 220/40 = 4.4.
The table below shows fans’ minimum performance value to comply with based on their blade span:
| Sr No. | Fan Blade Size (mm) | Minimum Air Delivery | Minimum service value |
| 1 | 900 | 130 | 3.1 |
| 2 | 1050 | 150 | 3.1 |
| 3 | 1200 | 210 | 4.0 |
| 4 | 1400 | 245 | 4.1 |
| 5 | 1500 | 270 | 4.3 |
Fan blade size (also sweep size or blade sweep) is the complete diameter of the circle of rotation a fan covers.
For sweep size <1200 i.e., for blade sweep of 900mm to 1050mm following would be the star rating guidelines:
| Star Rating | Service Value |
| 1 star | ≥ 3.1 to < 3.6 |
| 2 star | ≥ 3.6 to < 4.1 |
| 3 star | ≥ 4.1 to < 4.6 |
| 4 star | ≥ 4.6 to < 5.1 |
| 5 star | ≥ 5.1 |
For sweep size > 1200 mm i.e. for blade sweep of 1200 mm, 1400 mm and 1500 mm, the star rating guideline is as below:
| Star Rating | Service Value |
| 1 star | ≥ 4.0 to < 4.5 for 1200 mm * |
| 2 star | ≥ 4.5 to < 5.0 |
| 3 star | ≥ 5.0 to < 5. |
| 4 star | ≥ 5.5 to < 6.0 |
| 5 star | ≥ 6.0 |
*Disclaimer: Specifications for a 1 star fan of 1400mm is ≥ 4.1 to < 4.5, and ≥ 4.3 to < 4.5 for 1500 mm.
Air delivery represents thevolume of air moved by the fan in a given time. As per BEE documentation, air delivery values are on the basis of air velocity measurement up to 15m/min. The higher the air delivery, the more air circulation.
Service value is the heart of the BEE rating. It indicates the amount of air delivered per wattage of energy consumed. Or in other words, it shows how much air delivery would the fan deliver for every 1 watt consumed. Higher service value means more energy efficiency of the fan without compromising on the air delivery.
Crompton’s Role in Building an Eco-friendly India
For consumers to have access to energy-efficient, eco-friendly options, brands should be able to meet the demand. Crompton is India’s largest manufacturer of ceiling fans. Moreover, the brand is conscious and has a range of eco-friendly ceiling fans to choose from. If you are on the lookout forBEE 5-star rated ceiling fans in India, Crompton manufactures ActivBLDC fans which, as seen above, are among the most energy-efficient options available.
FAQs
1. Do fans have star ratings?
Yes, all electronic appliances, including fans, have star ratings. However, up until now, displaying these ratings on ceiling fans was voluntary. From January 2023, BEE has made it mandatory for ceiling fan manufacturers to display their star ratings.
2. What type of fan is the most energy efficient?
The BLDC (brushless direct current electric) motors use a technology that requires an electronic motor controller to drive the rotor, which makes them the most energy efficient. BLDC fans are up to 60% more energy-efficient than conventional induction motor fans.
