Dhaka:Replacing energy-inefficient household fans with energy-efficient brushless direct current (BLDC) models could significantly reduce Bangladesh's peak power demand by up to 2,590 megawatts (MW) and prevent over US$4 billion in future investments for coal-fired power plants, as highlighted in a new report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).
According to United News of Bangladesh, the report titled 'Household space cooling in Bangladesh Role of energy-efficient fans,' authored by Shafiqul Alam, Lead Energy Analyst-Bangladesh at IEEFA, is based on a comprehensive survey of 435 households across 26 districts. The study reveals that household fans dedicated to space cooling contribute up to 5,212MW of Bangladesh's summer power demand, with usage peaking around 9 PM. On August 27, 2026, the country's peak electricity demand reached 19,027MW at 9 PM.
The report points out that while BLDC fans operate at 35 watts (W) compared to 70W or more for traditional inefficient models, they only account for 1.4 percent of household fans currently in use. Wider adoption of these efficient fans could save 6,913 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually, valued at BDT 89.87 billion (USD 0.73 billion).
The study also identifies awareness and upfront cost barriers as significant challenges. It notes that 75 percent of surveyed households are unaware of the availability of BLDC fans in the market. However, once informed of their energy-saving potential, 96 percent of respondents expressed a willingness to switch. The high upfront costs remain a primary deterrent, with conventional inefficient fans costing around Tk 2,000 ($16.3) compared to BLDC fans priced between Tk 5,000 ($40.7) and Tk 6,300 ($51.3). For households earning up to Tk25,000 ($203.42) a month, which make up about 40 percent of total households, the investment takes between 7.7 and 9.6 years to pay back without financial assistance.
To address these challenges, IEEFA has recommended a structured, seven-step approach for the government. This includes designing a national program for energy-efficient household fans, raising public awareness, finalizing standards and labeling for fans, implementing a cost-reduction strategy, establishing financing mechanisms for low-income families, and developing a robust quality control and monitoring framework. Shafiqul Alam emphasized that energy-efficient fans reduce power demand immediately upon installation, providing quick relief to the country's mounting energy sector challenges.