Thinking of installing or replacing ceiling fans? You can decide which type of fan might work best in your home by keeping up on the latest scientific information issued on ceiling fans and their energy efficiency.
One of the foremost claims about ceiling fans is that they help the homeowner save on the utility bill by keeping the home’s occupants cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. In summer, the blades run counterclockwise to lift up the warm air and to disperse cool air to the floor level. The air passes over the skin of the room’s occupants, and as perspiration evaporates, there’s a windchill effect. In the winter, blades are reversed to push down warm air from the ceiling to occupant level. So yes, the fans do help you feel cooler or warmer. But to save money on energy, you must cut back the thermostat by a few degrees.
The fans do not actually make the house cooler or warmer, and they should be turned off when there is no one in the rooms. They in fact do create some warmth because of the running motor.
Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing fans:
- Long-bladed fans create more airflow than short-bladed ones.
- Fans that feature the bright yellow Energy Star label have been rated by the government for energy efficiency, so they will be more efficient than those without the labels.
- Fans have efficacy ratings. In other words, the airflow vs. the electrical wattage it takes to move a certain amount of air. The airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute, or cfm. A good efficacy rating is 100 cfm; a poor one would be 30 cfm.
- Be sure to choose a fan that has a reverse switch so you can move heat better in winter.
Remember when running your fan to keep it on low or medium speed. Fans are a lot more efficient at these speeds than at maximum speed.
Questions about ceiling fans or any other HVAC topics? Contact Ace Hardware Home Services of Dayton today.
