Cooling Tips

These great tips are from one of our vendors, Destination Lighting.

Save Money and Stay Cool with Ceiling Fans

Beat the heat this summer while saving money! “People tend to forget that ceiling fans reduce energy. Using them allows you to run your air conditioner less frequently," notes Nathan Frampton, president of Fanimation. "If you aren't using your ceiling fan during these hot summer nights, you are costing yourself mega-bucks," he adds.

The benefits of the ceiling fan in simple calculations

• A ceiling fan can make a person feel as if the room is 10° cooler
• If you are seated under a ceiling fan operating at a low speed, the fan makes you feel cooler by flowing air over your skin, which causes your perspiration to evaporate faster
• It runs on a fairly low amount of energy that is equivalent to a 100-watt bulb – and even less if it is an Energy Star qualified fan

Where's the ideal spot for ceiling fans?

• Any room where you will be spending a lot of time; family rooms, bedrooms, recreation rooms
• Bathrooms, garages and closets are also good applications – even covered porches
• The laundry room is a great place to install a ceiling fan; running the fan will balance the moisture content and heat to match other rooms in the home

Does it matter how many blades a ceiling fan has?

The majority of ceiling fans sold today have five blades, but this is more of an aesthetic consideration than a practical one. What's more important is selecting a ceiling fan that is the right size for the space.

• Rooms that are approximately 150 sq. ft. or larger require a 52-inch diameter fan to be most effective
• Larger great rooms may require bigger fans with up to a 72-inch span, or two small fans
• Smaller rooms can use either a 42- or a 48-inch diameter model