The milder spring weather is about to give way to those hot Shreveport summers, which means you’ll likely rely on your air conditioning to feel relief when at home. Your A/C is certainly an effective tool in keeping your house cool, but creating that refreshing environment definitely comes with increased energy costs. One way you can offset the expense of cooling your home is by using ceiling fans more often. Ceiling fans require far less energy to operate, but work well at enhancing your home comfort. Learn more about the lofty powers of a ceiling fan, and what factors you should consider when looking for the right one for your home.
How Ceiling Fans Save Energy
Ceiling fans circulate the air in a room, creating a breeze that helps moisture on your skin evaporate quicker. This makes you feel cooler even though the temperature in the room stays the same. The wind-chill effect will allow you to raise the temperature on your thermostat about four degrees without feeling any less comfortable. This can result in significant utility savings – especially if you have an energy-efficient fan, which only uses 100 watts of energy compared to the 3,500 watts of energy used by the average central A/C. What’s more, you can lower winter heating costs by running your fan slowly and switching the button at its base so the blades move in the clockwise direction.
Choosing and Installing a Ceiling Fan
- Ceiling fans should only be installed in rooms that have a minimum of 8-foot high ceilings. The blades need to be at least 8 inches away from the ceiling and 18 inches away from the walls.
- A ceiling fan with a 36- or 44-inch diameter is sufficient for a room that is up to 225 square feet, but bigger rooms need a fan that is at least 52 inches.
- Energy Star fans are 20 percent more effective at circulating air than most conventional models. Additionally, more expensive fans are usually quieter.
For more information on ceiling fans, or to get help with installation in your Shreveport area home, please contact us Pioneer Comfort Systems anytime.