Are Ceiling Fans Out of Style? (Absolutely Not!)
Ceiling fans may not be the main attraction in a room, but they do offer great benefits for both style and function. In fact, they can help reduce your heating and cooling costs while improving comfort in your Atlanta home. Whether used alone or alongside your heating and cooling systems, ceiling fans are a smart and cost-effective way to save energy throughout the year.
How Do Ceiling Fans Work?
Ceiling fans work by circulating air throughout a room. This can create a gentle breeze and move warm or cool air where it’s needed most. It’s important to note that ceiling fans do not actively cool air like air conditioning units—they increase the rate at which air circulates.
In addition to the size of the ceiling fan and the shape of its blades, the direction in which it spins also matters. A cooling breeze indoors is great in the summer, but did you know you can also use your ceiling fan in the winter?
- Wintertime: Ceiling fans should spin clockwise during the winter months. Since warm air rises, a clockwise-spinning fan creates an updraft that pushes the warmer air downward along the walls. After adjusting your ceiling fan's direction for winter, set the speed to a low setting to prevent a breeze.
- Summertime: Ceiling fans should spin counterclockwise during the summer. This motion creates a downdraft that produces a cooling breeze throughout the room. The faster the fan spins, the more air it moves, resulting in a stronger breeze.
Why Ceiling Fans Still Make a Lot of Sense
Despite being over one hundred years old, the ceiling fan remains one of the most efficient and straightforward cooling methods available to homeowners worldwide. Over time, the use of a ceiling fan may result in cost savings by reducing reliance on the HVAC system, allowing for less frequent and shorter periods of operation.
Ceiling Fan Efficiency
Are you wondering, “Are ceiling fans energy efficient?” Although efficiency varies by model, most ENERGY STAR-rated ceiling fans are more energy efficient than central air conditioning units. They’re also more efficient than portable fans because they move substantially more air by volume.
Are Ceiling Fans Worth It?
Still wondering about the specifics? Considering the fact that a well-maintained ceiling fan allows you to raise your thermostat by 4 or 5 degrees during the summer, we think they’re absolutely worth it. They can contribute to measurable ceiling fan energy savings each year. And in the winter, they distribute heat more evenly to reduce how often and how long your heating system runs.
Consider Smart Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fan technology didn’t stop when they were invented in 1882. Modern ceiling fans have improved motor and blade designs to reduce energy use and move air more efficiently, and many pair with smart home systems like Alexa or Nest. This allows your HVAC and ceiling fan to complement each other and further maximize your energy savings and comfort.
How To Determine the Size of a Ceiling Fan
If you’re thinking of wiring in a new ceiling fan, make sure you find the perfect fan first. Ceiling fan sizes are determined by their blade span, or the full diameter of the circle created by the blades while spinning. Choosing a ceiling fan that is too big results in an overwhelming breeze, and it tends to dominate the space. Too small a fan means inadequate airflow.
ENERGY STAR recommends finding the right ceiling fan based on the square footage of the room where it will be installed:
- Rooms up to 100 square feet: 29- to 36-inch fan
- Rooms up to 400 square feet: 36- to 50-inch fan
- Rooms larger than 400 square feet: 50- to 71-inch fan
Read more: Five Home Energy Efficiency Tips
Our Ceiling Fan Expertise Makes Installation a Breeze
At Assured Comfort Heating, Air & Plumbing, we understand that energy efficiency can have a substantial impact on a household’s annual expenditures. Our comprehensive home services will optimize system performance throughout your Atlanta-area home while ensuring reliable, hassle-free operation. Whether it's HVAC system maintenance or installing ceiling fans, you can trust our skilled technicians to deliver high-quality workmanship backed by extensive expertise.
Call 770-464-5745 or contact us online to schedule HVAC, electrical, or plumbing services in Douglasville, Atlanta, and the surrounding areas.