Ceiling Fans Lower Energy Bills

Ceiling fans can be a great way to add new life to an old room. And, if done properly, it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to do it. With a simple installation from a trained professional, your new fan can be up and running in a matter of hours, lowering your energy bill and revitalizing your room.

The quality of these fans has increased dramatically in the past 20 years. But be careful — some stores still carry an inferior quality product. All the information you need to make an informed decision can be found on the side of the ceiling fan’s box.

The Blades

First, let us consider the fan blades. Sealed wood blades are important to prevent warping although many manufactures now make their blades from plastic. Fan blades come in all shapes and sizes so take your time in selecting which style is best for your room.

Be sure to consider the pitch of the blades as well. Fans with a greater pitch will push more air and provide a greater cooling effect. But be aware that if the pitch is too steep, the noise created by the rushing air can become a distraction when you are trying to sleep. Look for angles between 11 and 16 degrees for the best union of airflow and sound.

The Motor

Second, the fan motor is one of the most important aspects of the entire fan. Without a working motor, the fan is just an ornament hanging from the ceiling. So picking a fan with a quality motor is very important.

Be sure to choose a motor with sealed, self-oiling bearings. By keeping the bearings sealed, dust and moisture cannot enter and cause friction which can lead to a failure of the motor. Motors with rubber flywheels are important in reducing noise and stabilizing the fan.

Finally, choose a heavy-duty motor. These are much more likely to endure the stress of running continuously for many years and give you the flexibility to move a larger amount of air if needed.

A professional’s advise is important in both the installation process as well as when buying the fan. They have the knowledge needed to help you make an informed decision.

Airflow and Cooling

Have you ever opened a bill from the electric company after a month of running your air conditioner in the hot summer only to cringe at the very large amount due? If you are like most, you are constantly on the lookout for new ways to cut costs and keep a little more money in your pocket.

Ceiling fans can be an excellent way to reduce not just your cooling bills during the hot summer, but they are also a great way to bring them down during the winter as well. But remember: these fans cool people - not rooms. When no one is in the room, turn it off.

During the summer, fans can make a room feel up to seven degrees cooler, thus reducing the need to have the air conditioner running continuously. The fan does not actually bring down the temperature of the room, but rather cools down any individuals who sit beneath the airflow.

During the winter, since heat rises, if your bedroom is located on an upper story a fan has the ability to push some of the heated air down to the ground level, keeping your home heated at a more equal temperature throughout.

Overall, fans have the capability of saving the average household 15% on their energy bill. With those energy savings, the cost of a new fan will more than pay for itself in less than a year.

Height Of The Fan

If your ceiling height is 8 feet or less, limiting your ceiling fan options, you need a flush-mounted fan. Not all fans are created equal; even the best fans need to be properly positioned to your ceiling height for maximum efficiency.

Where there is an unusually high ceiling, downrods are available so you can place the fan at the right height, no matter how high the ceiling is.

Some brands and models offer a tri-mount system that allows you to install the fan in every type of ceiling: high, low, and angled. That will offer the best chance to mount the fan wherever you like.

Does Size Matter?

Although we are used to seeing those “large” fans, there are places that require a small fan. Whether it's intended for a hallway or a small room, you'll be glad to know there are ceiling fans with various fan sizes, suitable for just about every room size.

With blade diameter ranging from 16 to 45 inches, it's not that hard to find a ceiling fan that will fit your desired location. Even if you have a small living room or kitchen, you don't need to get a large fan that will most likely look out of place and provide more airflow than is comfortable.

Bigger is not always better. You should get a small fan suitable for the room area. Just check the final placement, be sure you're selecting the right size for the desired space.

The following information should help you choose the proper fan for rooms of a certain size: For rooms that are up to 100 square feet, a 36" overall width will do; rooms from 100 to 144 square feet, a 42" overall size; rooms from 144 to 225 square feet, 44" or 48" overall blade size; rooms from 225 to 485 square feet, 56" blade size; and for larger rooms, use a 60" overall blade size.

Contrary to popular belief, the fewer ceiling fan blades, the more the amount of air movement increases. Currently we are used to seeing five bladed ceiling fans, but four blades actually move more air than five, and three blades move more air than four.

Remember that during the warm months the fan blades should function counterclockwise. This rotation is explained as follows: the higher edge of the ceiling fan blade should be the leading edge when the ceiling fan spins.

To heat up a room in the winter months, the ceiling fan should operate clockwise with the low edge of the fan blade becoming the leading edge. Ceiling fans help reduce energy costs in the winter by re-circulating warm air.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions about ceiling fans by clicking here.

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