Time to Rethink the Ceiling Fan
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
If you're looking for energy savings in your home, there are a lot of easy and inexpensive ways to not only cut down on your electric bill but also do your part to help the environment. These days, everyone is looking to "green" up their home. I've got a great product for you to consider. And you may not have even known this product was energy efficient - it's the ceiling fan. A ceiling fan can be a great way to help you lower your environmental "footprint" as well as the monthly utility bill.And don't think that a ceiling fan only helps in the summer time. You know that cold air tends to stay low to the floor and warm air tends to rise above your head. Did you know that a ceiling fan can help push all that warm air back down to your level? The room will feel warmer and your heater will not have to work as hard. A ceiling fan in use in the winter time can reduce your energy bill by 10 to 15%. The ceiling fan can also help prevent those "sweaty" windows during the winter months when condensation is eliminated by the quality air circulation. Naturally, the ceiling fan can be reversed to work hard for you in the summer, keeping your air conditioned air circulating and cutting utility bills by up to 15%.
The nice thing about these fans is that they require very little electricity to run. And they can easily be installed by a professional electrician or handyman, but if you've already got an overhead light in the room -- it's a project you can do easily on your own. The right fan can add a beautiful fixture to accentuate the decor of any room. A lot of ceiling fan models also come with a lighting option to help with overhead and accent lighting. So, what's not to love? Energy savings, aesthetics, easy installation, and additional lighting... All for a very low price.
And when it comes to price, consider shopping for your next fan online. More and more, people are going online for information and to find a better deal than they find in a brick and mortar store. And there are so much variety in ceiling fan styles and colors and sizes that the local home improvement store will probably not carry the right fan for you. When I bought my last ceiling fan for my bedroom, I purchased online from Littman Bros. Lighting. What I liked about Littman was they have an established store with experience near Chicago - and they deal with homeowners and builders alike (and to know you're getting the best product and price, always shop where the builders shop!)What to look for in a ceiling fan?
- Prices vary, from $25 to $1000. Higher priced fans electronics that allow motors and lights to be turned on remotely, either on the wall or with a remote control, and can reverse direction automatically.
- Higher quality fans are more quiet, with stronger motors and balanced blades to allow for a long life.
- You'll notice that fans that list a pitch of 12 degrees or more usually have a highly efficient motor, because it requires more power to turn the blades at those angles. Avoid fans with less than a 12 degree pitch.
- In small rooms, go with a 29 to 36 inch fan; medium-sized go with a 36 to 42" fan; and a large room you can go with a 50 to 54" fan.
- Optimal placement is 8 to 9' in a room, so make sure the kit comes with rods to drop the fan down if you have 11 to 13 feet ceilings. Avoid fans that are too close to the ceiling - they're ineffective.
- Look for high quality fan motors that have heavy duty windings and sealed bearings.
- Finally, make sure you've got a good lifetime warranty on your fan choice.
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Labels: Ceiling Fans, Electrical Installation, Energy Efficiency, Home Improvement
