Investment propertyHow to Find a Good Energy-Efficient Ceiling Fan
As the mercury starts to rise, so too does the urge to flip on the air
conditioner. For those days when it"s warm, but not quite hot enough to turn
on the air conditioner, a ceiling fan is a great option -- if you buy a good
one that is energy-efficient.
In the last 10 years ceiling fans have become more technologically advanced,
providing cooling in the summer months and warming in the winter months and
ultimately helping you save on your energy bill.
Ceiling fans don"t actually reduce the temperature, but during warm weather,
they have a wind-chill effect. So if it"s 85 degrees in your family room and
you have a ceiling fan purring above, it will feel like 78 degrees. And in
the winter, fans recirculate the heat to the living areas.
An efficient ceiling fan can reduce your energy bill up to 40 percent in the
summer and 10 percent in the winter, using only as much as energy as a
100-watt light bulb.
Fans can coordinate your individual home style, and most offer options in
color, finish, blade design, size, accessories and lighting. Styles include
polished brass, antique brass, iron, copper, nickel, pewter, chrome, black,
vibrant colors, oak, rosewood and other real wood veneers.
And as with most other appliances, you can even find energy efficient models
from Energy Star, a national symbol for energy efficiency developed by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Ceiling fans that have earned the Energy Star label are 10 percent more
efficient than standard ceiling fans, which translates into saving $13 to
$24 a year on utility bills.
EPA officials say the proper way to operate a fan includes switching the fan
and light off when you leave the room; reversing the fan motor in winter
months; and hanging the fan so that its blades are at least one foot below
the ceiling, seven feet above the floor, and two feet from the nearest wall.
The American Lighting Association and EPA offer these suggestions for
choosing the most efficient fan:
Size: For rooms up to 225 square feet and larger, use a fan with a blade
span of 50, 52, 54, or 56 inches. In rooms up to 144 square feet, use fans
with blade spans of 42 or 44 inches. Smaller rooms up to 64 square feet
should use a fan with a 32-inch blade span. Fan blades must be at least
seven feet above the floor. A blade height of eight to nine feet above the
floor will provide the most efficient cooling effect. Downrods are used with
eight-foot ceilings, though some fans do require a nine or ten foot ceiling
to hang properly. Extension downrods may be used when hanging a ceiling fan
on either flat or sloped ceilings.
Motor: Poor motor design can create most of the problems that are
associated with ceiling fans. If the fan has an annoying click, buzz, or hum
during operation, the motor is the most likely culprit. A motor that works
too hard will burn itself out. A motor that is too powerful will be
inefficient, wasting energy. Ideally, a ceiling fan should be designed to
strike a balance between power and efficiency, ensuring that the blades are
the proper pitch to move large amounts of air. Different motors are designed
for different operating conditions.
Blades: These can complete a room"s dûcor, but they also need to perform
effectively. Look for a blade pitch of at least 14 degrees, which is
excellent for maximum air movement efficiency. Steer clear of blades
constructed of particle board, printed paper or solid wood. Blades should
weigh the same to avoid a wobbly fan.
Lighting: Either built-in or added on, lighting can enhance your room"s
dûcor while meeting your lighting needs. Energy Star offers fans with and
without lighting. If your fan doesn"t include lighting, be sure to purchase
an Energy Star-qualified light kit, which has either pin-based compact
fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or screw-based CFLs. This lighting is compact,
attractive, efficient, and long lasting, so you won"t have to make frequent
bulb changes.
Controls: These make the difference between a fan that is merely
functional and a fan that offers a world of convenience, energy efficiency,
and even home security advantages. The most basic fan controls are a pull
chain on the fan that varies the fan speed, and a switch on the fan that
controls the blade direction. This is all many homeowners want to control
their ceiling fan. You may also purchase a variety of optional controls to
upgrade three-speed pull-chain models.
Price: The prices of ceiling fans can vary. Cheap ceiling fans will
wobble, click, and hum over time. They will not move air in your home
efficiently or effectively, and they are likely to fail within a few years.