Are Ceiling Fans Out of Style? (Absolutely Not!)
Even if interior designers don’t often make a ceiling fan the focal point of a space, aesthetically minded and function-first crowds agree that these handy devices have a lot to offer. Ceiling fans can help lower heating and cooling costs and improve comfort in your Jacksonville home. On their own or as a complement to your home’s heating and cooling systems, ceiling fans are a surprisingly cost-effective solution to maximizing energy efficiency year-round.
How Do Ceiling Fans Work?
Ceiling fans circulate air throughout a room, creating a gentle breeze and moving warm or cool air where it’s needed most. Ceiling fans do not actively cool air like air conditioning units, they simply increase the rate at which air circulates.
Ceiling fan performance depends on the shape and angle of its blades and the direction it spins. Use the seasons as your guide to determine which direction your ceiling fan should be spinning:
- In the winter: Ceiling fans should spin clockwise during the winter months. Since warm air rises, a clockwise-spinning fan creates an updraft that pushes the warmer air downward along the walls. After adjusting your ceiling fan's direction for winter, set the speed to a low setting to prevent a breeze.
- In the summer: Ceiling fans should spin counterclockwise during the summer. This motion creates a downdraft that produces a cooling breeze throughout the room. The faster the fan spins, the more air it moves, resulting in a stronger breeze.
Why Ceiling Fans Still Make a Lot of Sense
Despite being invented in 1882, ceiling fans remain one of the most effective cooling methods available—and also one of the simplest.
Ceiling Fan Efficiency
Are you wondering, “Are ceiling fans energy efficient?” The answer is yes! Although efficiency varies by model, most ENERGY STAR-rated ceiling fans are more energy efficient than central air conditioning units. They’re also more efficient than portable fans because they move substantially more air by volume.
Modern Ceiling Fan Tech Is Smart
Ceiling fan technology didn’t stop in 1882. Modern ceiling fans have improved motor and blade designs to reduce energy use and move air more efficiently, and many can pair with smart home systems like Alexa or Nest. This allows your HVAC and ceiling fan to complement each other and further maximize your energy savings and comfort.
Choose the Right Size Ceiling Fan the First Time
If you’re thinking of installing a new ceiling fan in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, or Palm Coast, make sure you find the perfect fit. You can start by measuring the room where the ceiling fan will be. According to ENERGY STAR, you can find the right ceiling fan based on square footage:
- Rooms up to 100 square feet: 29- to 36-inch fan
- Rooms up to 400 square feet: 36- to 50-inch fan
- Rooms larger than 400 square feet: 50- to 71-inch fan
Ceiling fan sizes are determined by their blade span, or the full diameter of the circle created by the blades while spinning. Beware of choosing a ceiling fan that is too big, as this can result in an overwhelming breeze and can tend to dominate the space. Likewise, selecting a fan that’s too small could lead to inadequate airflow.
Are Ceiling Fans Worth It?
Absolutely, ceiling fans are worth it! They can contribute to both comfort and financial savings. With a well-maintained ceiling fan, you can raise your thermostat by 4 or 5 degrees during the summer, contributing to measurable ceiling fan energy savings each year. While you might not see substantial savings during winter, they do distribute heat more evenly to reduce how often and how long your heating system runs.
Read more: Energy Efficiency Tips To Save Money
Our Ceiling Fan Expertise Makes Installation a Breeze
At David Gray, we understand the substantial impact that energy efficiency can have on a household's financial expenditures. Our comprehensive home services are engineered to optimize system performance while ensuring reliable, hassle-free operation. Whether it's HVAC system maintenance or the installation of ceiling fans, you can trust our skilled technicians to deliver high-quality workmanship backed by extensive expertise.
Call 904-605-8190 or contact us online to schedule HVAC, electrical, or plumbing services in Jacksonville, FL, and the surrounding areas.