We’ve all probably looked at our electric bills in shock at some point in our lives, especially during the hottest times of the year. Energy consumption is a pretty big deal, especially during the summer months. In our constant struggle to find relief from the sweltering summer heat, we tend to use more energy during this time of year. If you’re looking to reduce your own energy consumption, look no further than the humble ceiling fan. Ceiling fans are surprisingly useful when it comes to increasing energy efficiency in your home. Here are a few ways they accomplish this task.
Better Air Circulation…With Less Humidity
Contrary to popular belief, ceiling fans don’t actually generate cool air. Instead, they circulate existing air and can help decrease the humidity levels in your home by evaporating moisture that’s hanging in the air. Humidity always makes it feel hotter than it actually is, so eliminating it is essential.The way you mount a ceiling fan also affects the airflow. For a small room, consider going with one of the many hugger ceiling fans available today. These can effectively cool a small space Doubt using a tide of energy. Also think about the number of blades you’re going to have on your ceiling fan. You can get anywhere from two to five blades on any given model. Each one has its own pros and cons, however three blades are optimal for the best circulation and reduced energy consumption.
Less Energy Consumption
During the summertime, the weather can get incredibly hot. If you’re like most of us, you probably want to stay indoors with the AC blasting whenever it’s hot outside. Unfortunately, running the air conditioner all the time costs. It takes about 2,500 watts to operate an AC unit. A ceiling fan only requires about 65 watts. That’s much more efficient! When you’re trying to save energy, try to install your fan 7 to 8 feet above the floor and choose a model with an energy efficient motor. Keep in mind that larger ceiling fans can use less energy to cool a room. If you’re using a low profile fan, it’s better to go for a larger model to optimize its function.
Lower Cost
Ceiling fans use less overall energy then air-conditioning units and heaters, it’s no surprise that there is a lower cost associated with operating these machines. Since it doesn’t use as much power, running it only costs a few cents an hour. Compare that with the substantial cost of running an air conditioner for an hour: 36 cents. This effectively makes running an air conditioner one of the most costly energy expenditures in the home year round. To save more money and energy, only use the ceiling fan when you’re at home – ceiling fans are more effective for calling people than they are for calling in the room – consider using energy star ceiling fans
Better Lighting
Lighting likely isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you’re on the hunt for a ceiling fan, but it is something you should think about. Lighting serves many purposes and can help save energy by using energy-efficient bulbs and LED lights. Ceiling fans usually offer many different kinds of lighting. Bowl lighting (a bowl-shaped light on the bottom of the fan) and branched (a series of lights in a row) are common. There are also some retro-inspired designs, but uplift and downlights might be better options for reducing electricity use in small rooms. Uplift lighting creates indirect light, usually by orienting the light beam toward the ceiling, sides of the wall, or filtered through the fan blades as they spin. It provides more ambiance and better lighting for smaller spaces like bedrooms. Downlight lights provide direct bright lights over a space. As for the light bulbs themselves, make sure you go with LED lights, as they’re the most efficient and longer-lasting bulbs you can use today. Since closing windows and blinds during the summer can help block out the sun, having additional lighting ceiling fan certainly doesn’t hurt.
More Efficient Cooling When Combined With AC
When used in conjunction with an air conditioner, ceiling fans can make a room seem cooler to its occupants. Remember that ceiling fans themselves don’t actually cool the air. They merely move it around and circulate it. To improve that circulation, the fan generates a downdraft that displaces hot air, eventually allowing cool air to take its place. Because your ceiling fan is circulating the air better, the air conditioner can be set higher to maintain the comfort level in the home. Instead of leaving it on at 75 degrees all the time and using a ton of energy, you can set it to 77 degrees. This effectively reduces energy consumption but allows you to be comfortable anyway. Two degrees may not seem significant, but even that small increment can effectively reduce energy use associated with air conditioning by about 15%. When you consider how low the energy cost of using a ceiling fan actually is, that’s a pretty good thing for both your wallet and the environment.