Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Energy Efficiency In Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans provide year-round comfort.


Ceiling fans are one of the most energy-efficient appliances in the home as they assist your other appliances in working more efficiently. For example, ceiling fans can be set to force warm air around the room in winter and cool air around the room in summer, thus allowing your furnace and air conditioner to work more efficiently. Ceiling fans also use minimal electricity.


Types


Ceiling fans are available in a variety of design styles, from ultra-modern to traditional-looking stained glass. Some of the fans feature light fixtures, various speed settings, remote controls and interchangeable fan blades.


Considerations


The amount of energy that a ceiling fan uses depends on its wattage and the operating speed. Ceiling fans can be turned off to save energy in rooms that are not being used. When a ceiling fan uses LED (light-emitting diode) or CFL (compact fluorescent light bulb) lights, less energy is consumed to light the room.








Warning


Running ceiling fans that do not have reverse switches in the winter may make the room feel colder. The reverse or counter-clockwise setting circulates warm air downward, toward you. However, the clock-wise switch circulates air up, sending warm air toward the ceiling and away from you, which is great in the summer.


Ceiling fans need to be hung from a UL-rated (Underwriters Laboratories) electrical box designed to hold the weight of the ceiling fan. Ceiling light boxes may not be strong enough to hold the fan, over time.

Tags: Ceiling fans, around room, Ceiling fans, ceiling uses, more efficiently