Introduction

Ceiling fans can provide substantial savings on energy. Using about the same electricity as a 100-Watt light bulb, you can run one for just pennies a day. In mild weather, ceiling fans offer a low-cost alternative to air conditioning. Used in conjunction with air conditioning in hot weather, ceiling fans can help keep your family comfortable and your utility bills low.

Technology Options

In normal operating mode, the blades of a turning ceiling fan push air downward, creating a wind chill effect that can make the room feel cooler by four degrees or more. That means if you're using air conditioning along with your fan, you can set the thermostat at a higher than normal setting to save on energy. The ceiling fan doesn't actually change the temperature of the air in the room, but you can use less energy for air-conditioning and maintain the same level of comfort by using a fan properly.

The same cooling effect caused by blowing air currents keeps many people from using their ceiling fans in winter. But most fans, and all high-efficiency models, have a switch on the motor housing that changes the direction of the blades. Instead of forcing air downward, the blades will push air up toward the ceiling, where hot air normally rises, and drive it back down around the edges of the room. This circulates warm air to occupied areas of the room, maintaining a comfortable temperature, even when the heat is turned down by several degrees to save on heating bills.

Ceiling fans can help solve other cold weather problems as well. For example, some two-story houses have open stairways. Since heat rises, the upstairs can get hot, while the downstairs — where the thermostat normally is — can stay cold. As a result, the furnace can run more often and heating is uneven. But, mounting a ceiling fan at the top of the stairway will mix the air more evenly, making the house much more comfortable and cutting down on heating costs.