Ceiling fans are a low-cost cooling option which enhance greater indoor comfort with a power consumption typically less than 90 watts compared to room AC systems which typically have a consumption of around 1500 watts.  In countries such as India, they make up a substantial portion of residential electricity demand. There are approximately $8 billion in annual global sales of ceiling fans, and in most markets these products are unregulated beyond basic safety requirements, so there is a great opportunity to reduce electricity waste, including peak energy demand on the electricity grid.

Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and energy labels, if well-designed and implemented, are some of the fastest and most effective approaches to transition markets toward more energy-efficient products.

These Model Regulation Guidelines for Energy-Efficient Ceiling Fans provide guidance for governments that are considering mandatory policies, incentive programmes or voluntary financial mechanisms requiring new ceiling fans to be energy-efficient; providing a template for regulations that are based on best international minimum performance standards.

The publication annex provides the supporting information and context which underpins the Model Regulation Guidelines for Energy-Efficient Ceiling Fans. It includes a brief explanation of sample markets, product scope, energy efficiency considerations, and testing protocols.