Ceiling fans are a staple in most homes. We traditionally associate using ceiling fans with long hot summer days and nights. But did you know that you can also use your ceiling fan in autumn and winter to assist with heating your space?
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How Do Ceiling Fans Work?
Ceiling fans work by rotating air from ceiling level down towards the occupied space of a room. They do not act to cool the air itself, instead the blades move air around the room. This air movement creates a ‘wind chill’ feeling against your skin and offers comfort without reducing the actual air temperature. This means that ceiling fans are inefficient in an unoccupied room so if you’re not in the room, don’t forget to turn those fans off.
In a time when we are all thinking about energy consumption it is important to note that ceiling fans use around the same amount of energy as a 60 watt light bulb and therefore are very energy and cost effective.
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Ceiling Fans In Summer
In the summer months, ceiling fans turn anti-clockwise which forces a stream of air down and creates a more comfortable environment. While the physical temperature remains the same, the breeze acts to cool you down.
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It is easy to assume that you have to use either air conditioning or ceiling fans by themselves. But in times of extreme heat, the most efficient way to cool your space is to use air conditioning and ceiling fans at the same time. Because of the way that ceiling fans work, you can set your air conditioning as much as 4 degrees higher when used together with a fan. Using these in conjunction can save up to 40% on your energy bills.
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Ceiling Fans In Winter
By switching your ceiling fan to spin in a clockwise direction it creates an updraft which recirculates the warm air down.
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In school we learn that hot air rises. So it makes sense to recapture the heat, get the most out of it and save yourself up to 10% on your heating costs at the same time. It is important to note that this method is not very effective in rooms with double height ceilings.
How do you rotate your ceiling fan for winter?
The method of changing the direction of a fan will differ between models. Contemporary fans with remote or wall controls often have a ‘reverse’ function. Alternative common ways to change the direction of a fan, there is either a switch on the upper side of the blades or on some older fans you may find a string pull that hangs from the centre. If you are unsure which direction your fan is set to the easiest way to check is to turn on your fan and stand underneath it, if you cannot feel cool air on your skin, it is in the clockwise (winter) direction.
By adjusting your ceiling fans for the seasons, you can create year round comfort and save on your energy use while you are at it.
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