The Truth About Ceiling Fans: They’re Lots More Than Décor
Depending on the size of ceiling fan you have (or may decide would look awesome in your home once your read the information below), you can create a “wind chill” with your air conditioning system AND help the warm air that rises when you are using your furnace or heat pump in the winter! Here’s why:
A ceiling fan really doesn’t change the temperature in your house, but it can make a noticeable difference when you are in the room where the fan is circulating the air. The most important thing to remember is to make sure the blades are turning in the correct direction: CLOCKWISE for warmth and COUNTERCLOCKWISE for a breeze, or what’s known as a “wind chill.” Ceiling fans have a small switch, which when moved, changes the direction of the blades.
When you can feel the breeze from the rotation of your ceiling fan, it is turning counterclockwise and hitting your warm, moist skin, drying the perspiration, and cooling your body temperature. If you are running your air conditioner at the same time, it is possible to increase the thermostat temperature by several degrees, saving you money both by prolonging the life of your unit and lowering monthly electric bills. Keeping the ceiling fan on when you aren’t in the room to reap the benefits of the breeze directly hitting your skin is pretty pointless. Also, running the fan on high doesn’t create enough of a difference in wind chill, and the cost per hour to run the fan goes up. Longer blades extend the area of the breeze, so, in this case, bigger is better.
The cool (actually, the warm) thing about ceiling fans is that when the blades are turning clockwise, the breeze is going towards your ceilings, where a lot of warm air travels and keeps no one warm. When in the room where the fan is circulating, the air takes the warmth stuck on the ceiling and distributes it toward the walls in the room, and you get the benefits when you are in the room. Again, running a ceiling fan when not in the room really doesn’t benefit you.
One more interesting thing to note: Don’t always keep your ceiling fan running. Why? The motor gets warm from the extended use, causing the “wind chill” effect to essentially be a moot point; thus, turn the fan off unless you are in the room. Remember: the ceiling fan is your friend if you keep the blades clean and turn the switch in the correct direction for the season.
Have other questions about keeping your home cool in the warm months ahead? Contact us today to speak to a knowledgeable member of our team here at Ranger Heating & Cooling.
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