Ceiling fans have been gaining favor across America for decades. The gentle breeze generated by a ceiling fan adds an extra level of comfortability to your home, and also allows you to set your thermostat higher in the summer and a little lower in the winter. This can save you up to 20% on your heating and cooling costs, which anyone can appreciate.
How do Ceiling Fans Work?
Ceiling fans create a gentle downdraft that circulates the otherwise stagnant indoor air. This effectively mixes areas of warm and cool air together to create an even level of air conditioning. This is important in homes set on a single thermostat, as the temperature will become increasingly cool or warm as you travel away from the home's center.
Because of your internal body heat, you are continually surrounded by a cloud of warmer air. Ceiling fans cool you off by blowing this warm air away from your body. The draft also wicks subtle amounts of warm moisture from your skin, allowing you to stay cool in warmer temperatures. This wind chill effect can make your home feel up to 5° cooler than your thermostat setting. Ideally, running a ceiling fan in a home cooled to 78° would give you the same effect as setting your thermostat to 73°, but with 20% less energy consumption.
Should I Leave my Ceiling Fan on when I am Not Home?
It is important to remember that ceiling fans only cool you off, and do not reduce the temperature of your indoor air at all. Because of this, keeping a ceiling fan running 24/7 is a poor choice and a waste of energy. A programmable thermostat is the best solution for conserving electricity in the day, but still being able to come home to a cool home.
Can a ceiling fan help me heat my home?
Yes, but to a lesser degree. If a ceiling fan is set to spin clockwise at a slow setting, your ceiling fan will displace the warm air that collects at the top of the room and directs it toward the walls and the floors. This prevents cold spots from forming near your windows, and can offer a slight heating benefit.
Be sure to read our other articles on ceiling fans for more general information.
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