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If you Googled 'ceiling fans' then you probably got hit with a massive wall of products labelled as either an AC fan or a DC fan. That is going to spark the question; what exactly am I looking at, and does this even matter?
Below we've spelled it out for you, along with simple pros and cons to help you make the best decision for your household.
The difference between AC and DC fans is the type of current used to power them.
AC and DC refer to the two kinds of electric motors; alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC). AC, as the name might suggest, allows the electrical current to run in two directions, while DC only moves in one direction. Since AC needs enough power to move in two directions, all AC appliances use more energy than DC ones - ceiling fans included.
For the most part, appliances tend to stick to AC since all energy distributed by energy companies in Australia is in this format. Any DC appliance requires a transformer to switch out the current.
Cheaper to buy outright
Connects directly to the wall switch 
Louder
Higher power usage AC fans are the most common ceiling fan, and also the cheapest to buy outright. Conversely they're also signficantly more expensive to run since current flows both to and from the device.
Still, the cost of running a fan is marginal, even an AC one. Even fans with poor energy efficiency cap out at around 240 watts which equates to around $0.03 per hour in Australia, according to data from the 2023/2024 financial year.
Costs aside, AC fans are also user friendly as they can be controlled directly from the wall switch like a light bulb. On the flip side they tend to be louder than their DC equivelants and can have a slower RPM which makes them less efficient cooling machines.
Up to 70% cheaper to run
Usually faster, and more powerful
More expensive outright cost
Need to use a remote DC fans are the latest technology which makes them better performing, but also more expensive from the get-go. DC fans range from $250 - $1500, while AC fans get as low as $99. Once they're installed however, DC appliances are cheaper to run.
The Big Ass Fan Haiku I - a top of the line DC fan - uses just 31.1 watts at it's highest setting, opposed to around 240 watts in some AC fans. This equates to a running cost of $0.004 per hour.
These fans are also quieter, and tend to be more powerful even though they use less power. The downside however is that you won't be able to control them at the wall, you'll need to settle for a remote control instead.
If you don't mind forking out a little bit more to start with, DC fans are the overall better choice. They're faster, more powerful, and can usually circulate more air per minute than their AC counterparts. Of course you'll need to be okay with using a remote rather than a wall switch, but for many people that will actually be in the 'pros' column. Who wants to stand up anyway?
On the other hand if your budget is tighter at the moment of purchase then an AC fan will also do the trick. Realistically the differences aren't too great between the two - both will save you money over an air conditioner at the very least.
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