What many people do not realize about ceiling fans is that they do not actually cool the air in the room of which they’re running. People leave the ceiling fan on in the home all day, only to find that the room they come home to isn’t any cooler.
So you may be wondering, is there any point at all to using ceiling fans? Yes! However, there are correct ways to utilize this appliance, and potentially wasteful ways to use it as well.
Ceiling Fans and Air Movement
As stated above, ceiling fans don’t cool the air around them. Rather, they move air around. Essentially, they create a cool breeze—even cooler when you have the air conditioner running as well (plus, ceiling fans help with AC efficiency, which we’ll get to below).
But running your ceiling fan all day–specifically, when nobody is home–could be more wasteful than it is helpful. Since it doesn’t actually cool the air, you’re running an electric device for essentially no reason. While ceiling fans don’t eat up a significant amount of energy (which is why so many people take advantage them for their homes), they do still contribute to the cost of your electricity.
Additionally, running the motor of your ceiling fan can actually add heat to the room. So, imagine you aren’t home all day, and you have no AC system running, but your ceiling fan is on the whole time. Sure, you may feel a cool breeze when you walk into the room, but overall you may have contributed to an increase in the room’s temperature.
So, Are Ceiling Fans Pointless Then?
No! Not at all—ceiling fans contribute to greater air conditioning efficiency. While they don’t decrease the temperature of the room, they do circulate the cool air coming from your AC system, allowing you to turn the temperature up by as much as 10 degrees, and saving you a significant amount of money off your electric bill as a result.
Ceiling fans also provide versatility to your home. They can be put in just about any area of your living space—bedrooms, kitchens, screened in porches, and more. These appliances are both functional and attractive looking—adding to the appeal of your home.
And we can’t forget to mention their benefits in the wintertime. That’s right—your ceiling fan can help you save on your heating costs, too! When you switch your ceiling fan in reverse, it pushes the hot air that has risen to the ceiling downward, creating a warmer breeze and eliminating your need to have your heater up so high. As a result, the system doesn’t need to work as hard—decreasing your energy usage.
Year-Round Comfort
Ceiling fans are a great way to enhance the year-round comfort in your home. Other ways to contribute to your year-round comfort and save energy is to ensure that you’re keeping up on your Royal Palm Beach, FL air conditioning maintenance, you’re changing your cooling system’s air filter at least once every three months, and that you are equipped with the right indoor air quality products as well.
Envirotech Air Quality Services is one of the very few HVAC companies in south Florida who are also licensed mold assessors, mold remediators, and duct cleaners. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive services.
