Running a warehouse, factory or showroom in Singapore means fighting heat all year. Temperatures sit above 31°C, humidity rarely drops below 70%, and a metal roof can turn a large floor into an oven by afternoon. How you cool that space decides the size of your electricity bill.
That decision matters more in 2026 than it has in years. SP Group’s regulated electricity tariff for July to September 2026 rose to 31.91 cents per kWh before GST, or 34.78 cents per kWh with GST, the highest level on record, after global gas prices spiked on the back of the conflict in the Middle East. When facility managers start shortlisting an industrial fan Singapore businesses can rely on, the first question is almost always the same: how much electricity will it really use compared to aircon? Below, we break down the numbers using current tariffs and real motor ratings.
Why Cooling Costs Are Under the Spotlight in Singapore
Around 95% of Singapore’s electricity is generated from natural gas, so when gas prices move, business power bills follow within a quarter. The Q3 2026 tariff jumped by about 17% over the previous quarter. The Energy Market Authority has said tariffs could ease if the situation in the Middle East improves, but it has also told consumers to prepare for higher and more volatile energy costs going forward. The next revision is due at the end of September.
At the same time, the Ministry of Manpower keeps pushing employers to manage workplace heat stress, and the Singapore Green Plan 2030 keeps energy efficiency on every company’s agenda.
How an Industrial Fan Cools Without Chilling the Air
A fan does not lower the air temperature. Instead, it moves air across the skin, which speeds up the evaporation of sweat and carries body heat away. This is the familiar wind-chill effect. A steady breeze of around 1 metre per second can make a space feel several degrees cooler, often up to 3 to 4°C, which is enough to take a hot warehouse from uncomfortable to workable.
Aircon works differently. It removes heat and moisture using a compressor, which is what makes it so power-hungry, especially in large spaces with high roofs and open doors.
What Makes a High Volume Low Speed Fan Different
A high volume low speed fan uses very large blades, typically 3 to 7.3 metres across, turning slowly to push a huge column of air down to the floor and outward in every direction. Because the motor does not need to spin fast, power draw stays remarkably low.
CooMi’s Apache Series, a popular HVLS fan Singapore range for warehouses and factories, runs from 0.37 kW to 1.1 kW while moving between 4,000 and 13,000 m³ of air per minute.
How Much Electricity Does an Industrial Fan Use?
The formula is simple: power (kW) × hours of use = energy (kWh), and energy × tariff = cost. Using the Q3 2026 rate of 34.78 cents per kWh with GST, a 10-hour working day and 26 working days per month, here is what each Apache Series motor size costs to run at full speed:
| Fan Size | Motor Power | Energy Per Day | Energy Per Month | Cost Per Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 m / 3.7 m | 0.37 kW | 3.7 kWh | 96.2 kWh | S$33.46 |
| 5 m | 0.75 kW | 7.5 kWh | 195 kWh | S$67.82 |
| 6.1 m / 7.3 m | 1.1 kW | 11 kWh | 286 kWh | S$99.47 |
These are full-speed figures. Most sites run their fans at 60 to 80% speed for much of the day, which lowers the bill further. If you buy from a retailer, swap in your own rate.
Industrial Ceiling Fan Singapore vs Standard Floor Fans
A single large industrial ceiling fan Singapore warehouses install often does the work of a whole row of pedestal or wall fans, each drawing 100 to 250 W. Ten floor fans at 200 W add up to 2 kW, almost double what one 7.3 m HVLS fan uses, and they bring noise, cables, trip hazards and uneven airflow.
For smaller spaces such as showrooms, cafés, gyms and offices, a commercial ceiling fan gives the same efficiency benefit on a smaller scale.
How Much Electricity Does Aircon Use?
Aircon consumption depends on cooling capacity, efficiency and how hard the system has to work. As an illustration, take a 1,000 m² open warehouse or workshop with a high roof and frequent door openings. A space like this can need roughly 175 kW of cooling capacity, around 50 refrigeration tons. With a typical efficiency (COP) of 3.5, that means an electrical load of about 50 kW.
Over the same 10-hour day and 26-day month, that works out to 13,000 kWh, or about S$4,521 per month at 34.78 cents per kWh. Actual figures vary with insulation and equipment age.
Side-by-Side Cost Comparison
| Cooling Option (1,000 m²) | Power Draw | Energy Per Month | Cost Per Month | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One 7.3 m HVLS fan | 1.1 kW | 286 kWh | S$99 | S$1,194 |
| Aircon for the same area | About 50 kW | 13,000 kWh | S$4,521 | S$54,257 |
In this example the HVLS fan uses roughly 45 times less electricity than aircon, a difference of about S$53,000 a year for one space.
Where Aircon Still Makes Sense, and the Hybrid Approach
Some spaces genuinely need air-conditioning: server rooms, cleanrooms, cold-chain storage, laboratories and offices where humidity control matters. Even there, fans can cut costs.
Singapore’s public agencies recommend setting aircon at 25°C, and each 1°C increase in set-point is commonly estimated to save around 3% of cooling energy. Adding ceiling fans lets you raise the thermostat without people feeling warmer.
Large fans also mix cool air evenly across the floor, so the aircon cycles less often.
Don’t Forget Ventilation and Exhaust
Air movement is only half the picture in factories, kitchens and workshops that produce heat, fumes or dust. An industrial exhaust fan Singapore facilities install at roof or wall level pulls hot, stale air out of the building, while an industrial ventilation fan Singapore system brings in fresh make-up air.
Combine both with an HVLS fan for a cooler, fresher space without full aircon running costs.
How to Choose the Right Industrial Fan for Your Space
Measure Floor Area and Ceiling Height
Fan diameter should match the space. Smaller 3 m to 3.7 m fans suit workshops and showrooms, while 6.1 m to 7.3 m models are built for large warehouses and factory floors with high ceilings.
Check Motor Type and Power Rating
Look for a high-efficiency motor with a clearly stated kW rating so you can calculate running costs before you buy. CooMi’s Apache Series uses a high-efficiency external rotor motor with power ratings from 0.37 kW to 1.1 kW.
Look at Controls and Build Quality
A variable speed controller lets you match airflow to the time of day and the heat load. In Singapore’s humid climate, an IP65-rated controller adds protection against dust and moisture.
Work With a Local Supplier
Choosing an industrial fan supplier in Singapore means faster site surveys, proper installation and after-sales support close to home. As an HVLS fan supplier Singapore businesses trust, CooMi helps you size the right fan, calculate your expected savings and plan installation around your operations.
The Bottom Line
With tariffs at record highs, a large HVLS fan costs cents per hour to run, while aircon for the same open space can cost thousands a month. For warehouses and factories, an industrial fan is the smartest first step, with a hybrid set-up where aircon is unavoidable.
Call CooMi on +65 6268 0066 to book a site survey and see exactly how much your business could save.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much electricity does an HVLS fan use per hour?
A CooMi Apache Series fan uses 0.37 to 1.1 kW, costing about 13 to 38 cents per hour at the current tariff. A single 2.5 kW split aircon unit costs roughly 87 cents per hour and cools a far smaller area.
Can an industrial fan replace aircon completely?
In open warehouses, factories and workshops, yes. A CooMi HVLS fan keeps workers comfortable for a fraction of aircon costs. For sealed, humidity-sensitive rooms, pair it with aircon at a higher set-point instead of running aircon alone.
Is one HVLS fan better than many small pedestal fans?
Yes. One CooMi 7.3 m fan draws 1.1 kW, while ten 200 W floor fans draw 2 kW and still leave hot spots, noise and trailing cables.
Do industrial fans work in Singapore’s humidity?
Yes. Moving air speeds up sweat evaporation even in humid conditions. CooMi fans come with IP65-protected controllers built for tropical sites, unlike household fans that are not made for continuous industrial use.
How much can my business save by switching from aircon to an HVLS fan?
In our 1,000 m² example, savings reach over S$50,000 a year. CooMi offers site surveys to calculate the real figure for your space.
What size fan do I need?
Small workshops suit a 3 m to 3.7 m fan, while large warehouses need 6.1 m to 7.3 m. CooMi sizes each fan to your floor plan, so you avoid paying for more fans than you need.