A Simple Guide to Ceiling Fans and Wall Fans
As temperatures start to warm up again, electric bills tend to rise. HomElectrical wants to help you save electricity (and your wallet) before summer comes around the corner and smacks you with a big wave of heat. Some cost-effective, but overlooked, options to beat the heat include ceiling fans and wall fans.
Understanding the Basics of Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans serve the dual purpose of enhancing all-season comfort and adding a distinct style to any space. In warmer months, they create a cool breeze. This enables higher thermostat settings and cutting energy costs by lessening the need for air conditioning.
Conversely, during cooler months, reversing the fan direction circulates warm air, promoting even heat distribution throughout the room.
Standard Ceiling Fans: These fans typically feature 4-5 blades and come in a plethora of styles to suit any décor theme. Many models also include a light kit, offering an additional lighting solution for your space.
A crucial component of these fans is the downrod, a rod that extends from the ceiling bracket to the top of the fan. Choose the downrod length according to ceiling height to improve airflow and keep it safely above the living area.
Low-Profile Ceiling Fans: Low profile ceiling fans are an ideal choice for ceilings 8 feet or lower. They are installed directly onto the mounting bracket, eliminating the need for a downrod.
Outdoor Ceiling Fans: These fans are specifically designed to withstand elements like moisture and humidity. This makes them perfect for patios, porches and other outdoor areas.
HVLS Industrial Fans
High-Volume Low-Speed (HVLS) fans produce large-scale air circulation with a simple engineering approach. Unlike traditional fans, HVLS fans are predominantly ceiling-mounted. They move slowly but spread a lot of air over a large area with low speed.
This unique characteristic allows them to deliver a gentle but powerful breeze that significantly reduces the perceived temperature.
- Warehouses
- Manufacturing Plants
- Agricultural Facilities
Their design caters to the specific needs of cooling and ventilating expansive areas. This is especially important in settings where consistent air quality and temperature control is a standard for operational efficiency.
Industries like agriculture with unique environmental challenges can use HVLS fans designed to endure harsh conditions. Epoxy-coated fan blades and sealed motors help these fans resist dust and moisture, prolonging their life and performance.
Why Use a Ceiling Fan When I Have Air Conditioning?
Fans circulate air within a space but do not alter room temperature.
While we can’t always have a nice breeze going through the house, we can install fans to help with air circulation.
Raising the thermostat temperature keeps your air conditioning from running too often or too strong. This leads to energy savings since the operating cost of a fan costs pennies compared to running air conditioning. For homes in moderate climates, a fan could suffice to keep spaces cool in the summer.
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Selecting the Right Fan for Your Needs
Choosing between a ceiling or wall fan depends on several factors, including room size, ceiling height, and blade clearance from the ceiling and walls.
Ceiling fans provide more efficiency due to their size. The Department of Energy says fans with diameters of 36-44 inches are suitable for rooms up to 225 square feet. Additionally, 52-inch fans are best for larger rooms up to 350 square feet.
- Install fans with a clearance of 7 to 9 feet from the floor for safety and aesthetics. For high ceilings, downrods of various sizes can mount the ceiling fan to keep it closer to the ground.
- Small spaces or low ceilings may not provide the optimal setting for a ceiling fan. In those cases, consider a wall fan to provide air circulation.
Where Can You Use Ceiling or Wall Fans
Inside the house, ceiling fans find use in the living room, bedroom, or 3-season rooms. Indoor wall fans typically work best in gyms, garages, or workshops.
For outdoor locations, ceiling fans or wall fans suit gazebos, patios, or porches. Ensure outdoor heater ceiling fans have a wet or damp location rating for safe use.
- Dry-rated fans are for indoor use, while damp-rated fans can be used in covered outdoor areas with moisture.
- Choosing a wet-rated ceiling fan for outdoor areas ensures it will last longer despite the weather conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Use fans in conjunction with air conditioning systems.
- Most ceiling fans reverse and can prove useful in winter.
- Ceiling fans have a higher efficiency than wall fans.
- Wall fans can go where ceiling fans cannot.
- Place fans in frequently occupied rooms or spaces.
Take Action and Enjoy the Breeze
Looking for a new fan? Explore HomElectrical's range of ceiling and wall fans to ensure your space stays ventilated. Never stop saving energy or money when you purchase a fan from HomElectrical!
How Do Ceiling Fans Cool if They Don’t Alter Room Temperature?
Ceiling fans push cool air down or draw it up when reversed. In the summer, set the fan to spin counterclockwise. The air flows downward, cooling with the wind chill effect.
Most ceiling fans have reversible motors. In winter, ceiling fans with a reversible motor set to spin clockwise push warm air down from the top of the room. Check your fan or instruction manual to locate a switch to change the direction of the fan blades.
How Do I Know the Amount of Air a Fan Moves?
The CFM, or cubic feet per minute, of a fan determines how much air the fan moves. Compare the wattage (energy required to power the fan) to the CFM to determine the efficiency. Alternatively, look for an Energy Star rating for highly efficient fans.
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