Believe it or not, ceiling fans not only save us money during the warm weather but cool temperatures as well. The only real difference between the seasons is the fan’s speed and its rotation direction. Set your fans to move counterclockwise in the summer to save energy and clockwise slowly in the winter. Ceiling fans help move both cool and warm air around your home, putting less strain on your HVAC system while saving on your monthly energy bills! Fortunately, Middletown Heating & Cooling knows the importance of saving money, so read on to better grasp how ceiling fans benefit your pockets!
How Do Ceiling Fans Work?
Ceiling fans yield air by utilizing the electricity within your home. The moving blades don’t cool the air but push it downward, keeping us comfortable through a wind-chill effect while enhancing air circulation during the summer heat. In the winter, adjusting the spin direction creates an updraft along with the blades’ shape to blow the rising hot air and discourage that hot air from lingering. The air is then forced out and down the walls, bringing a warm atmosphere to your level, so you may stay warm without overworking your furnace. As a result, you will be pleased to see the difference in your energy bills from correctly utilizing your ceiling fan! Though, there is a catch. If you leave your ceiling fan running while you are away for an extended period, you will only be wasting electricity. Thus, it is essential to operate your fan strategically; doing so will save you money and help prevent mold growth and excessive humidity.
How Do I Adjust My Ceiling Fan For Winter?
Before we know it, summer will be over, which means colder temperatures! There are many things we must keep in mind when moving from season to season, so let’s now discuss how you can properly adjust your ceiling fan in preparation for winter. On your ceiling fan, you should find a switch on one side of your ceiling fan’s base. Turn your ceiling fan off. You must turn off the fan via the pull chain AND the wall switch. Neglecting to do so may result in injury to yourself or others! When changing the fan blade direction, it is wise to go ahead and wipe down the light covers and the blades and make any desired cosmetic adjustments, so you don’t forget to take these efforts in the future. Once you make the switch, you are essentially under the back of a fan, which circulates warm air instead of cold air.
When Are Ceiling Fans More Of A Hindrance Than A Help?
Contrary to the benefits of fans, knowing their shortcomings is essential, so you can better weigh the pros and cons to determine what is suitable for you and your home. While ceiling fans can support keeping your home cool by further spreading the air, there are some things to consider to ensure your fan usage remains efficient; avoiding unnecessarily high energy bills, such as:
- All-Day Ceiling Fan Usage Is A NO-NO: When you are away from home, turn them off; you can turn them back on upon your return. With smart-home automation, you can conveniently preset a time for your fans to turn on automatically!
- ONLY Use Ceiling Fans Alongside Your AC: Operating your fan alone is a quick way to increase the temperature in your house because appliances like ceiling fans generate small amounts of heat that can accumulate.
- In Cool Temps, DON’T Run Fans On High: If it’s cooler outside, it’s essential to utilize your fans on a low setting to ensure any pulling up of cold air and pushing down of warm air.
- ALWAYS Obtain The Correct Fan Size: Install a fan to serve the size of the room adequately and ensure to locate it central to the room to maximize savings. For instance, a 36-inch fan typically reaches approximately six feet from the center point and may not accommodate a large room effectively.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please call us today at (513) 268-3789, or schedule an appointment online by clicking here! Middletown Heating & Cooling values your comfort and wants to ensure you stay as cool as possible without breaking the bank! We can’t wait to hear how we can be of assistance to you and your household!