BLDC – A Gamechanger For The Indian Fan Industry

The Indian fan market, estimated to be around Rs. 9000 crores, is growing at a healthy pace on account of rising temperatures, rapid urbanisation, and aspirational and environmentally conscious consumerism. In a conversation, Atul Jain, Executive Vice President, Orient Electric Limited explains how the major trend that will shape the fan industry going forward is the rising consumer demand for energy-efficient products. Given that fans consume between 20-25 per cent of total electricity in Indian households, it is rational for consumers to opt for energy-saving fans. Also, fans are a healthier cooling solution compared to other options as they circulate fresh and clean air when users keep doors and windows open. which ensures proper ventilation. Jain focuses on the nuances of the changing technologies and norms in the industry, in the conversation.

The upcoming BEE energy norms for fans

With BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) making 5-star energy certification standards more stringent, consumers are expected to make a massive shift toward purchasing energy-efficient fans. This will not only help consumers lower their electricity bills but will also lead to consolidation in the industry and boost demand. Having said that, compliance with energy efficiency norms will come with an implicit cost for manufacturers, hence the cost of energy-efficient fans is likely to be 15-20 per cent higher than that of conventional fans. However, these fans will have a shorter payback period and will eventually result in savings for consumers.

How will BLDC technology benefits consumers and the country?

BLDC (Brushless Direct Current) technology or BLDC motor, in general, has been on the market for decades and is used widely in many electrical appliances. However, until recently, the technology wasn’t used in ceiling fans. Conventional fans with induction motors usually consume 70-75 watts of power. However, BLDC fans consume half as much power. Thus, a household with 4 conventional fans can save approximately Rs. 7000 annually on its electricity bill by switching to BLDC fans. With millions of ceiling fans sold annually in India, potential energy and cost savings are huge along with a significant reduction in carbon footprint.

Unlike normal induction motor-based fans, BLDC fans come with Brushless electronic DC motor that uses permanent magnets. The use of BLDC motor eliminates friction, motor noise, and sparks that usually occur in the case of normal fans due to continuous contact of brushes with commutators. Since the wear and tear are eliminated, BLDC motors have a longer service life compared to typical induction motors.

Adoption of BLDC fans will be analogous to an earlier revolution

To understand the prospective impact of BLDC fans on Indian consumers, one may look back to the revolution in Lighting industry brought about by LEDs. Consumers were won over by the benefits of LED lights which included energy efficiency, longevity, and greater design flexibility. Hence there is a precedent where consumers traded in favour of a slightly more pricey product that came with a superior value proposition. BLDC fans may well result in a similar revolution especially as consumers are more aware than ever before of the importance of saving energy and lowering their carbon footprint.