What You Need to Know About Ceiling Fans

Wilf Potter

November 14, 2022
10:04 pm

Helpful Facts About Ceiling Fans

Interested in having one of our electricians install a ceiling fan in your home? Read this blog to learn more about ceiling fans before making a final decision.

THE DIRECTION THE FAN IS SPINNING MATTERS

Depending on the season, the direction your fan is spinning actually makes a difference. In the winter change your fan direction to clockwise at a low speed to help in heating your home. This motion pulls air up, pushes it to the edges of the room and down the walls continuously circulating air in this way. This helps to heat your home in the winter because it is evenly circulating the already heated air throughout the room that is using the fan. This also avoids giving you a cool feeling from the fan since it is just circulating the warm air.

In the summer, the purpose of a fan is to make you feel cooler so the direction should be changed to a counter clockwise motion. This motion pushes the air straight down on you giving you the cooling feeling providing you with maximum airflow in that room. There are some exceptions to this. In a bedroom or a dining room, if you don’t want air being pushed directly onto you or your food, you can use the fan on a high speed clockwise direction. This will still give a cooling effect while not making you uncomfortable or cooling down your food with direct airflow.

CEILING FANS DO NOT COOL ROOMS, THEY COOL PEOPLE

Many people assume that when a fan is on, it is going to cool the room that it is located in. This is not true. Fans only circulate air, they do not cool it but if a person is sitting in the room with the fan, the movement of the air will give them a wind chill effect making them feel cooler. You should remember to turn off fans when you are not in the room to save energy – if there is no one in the room, nothing is being cooled by the fan.

BENEFITS OF CFL BULBS:

Efficient: While CFL bulbs are not as efficient as LED bulbs, they are still about 4 times more efficient than the standard incandescent bulbs. CFL bulbs also last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
Less expensive: CFL bulbs save you money when it comes to electricity. They use about ⅓ of the electricity an incandescent bulb uses and last longer ultimately saving you money in the long run.
Reduces pollution: Using energy efficient bulbs such as CFLs reduces the amount of CO2 emissions as well as levels of sulfur oxide and other environmentally harmful wastes.
Less harsh lighting: Unlike older fluorescent lights, CFLs give off a light that is less harsh and more appealing. They are no longer like the lights we picture in a warehouse or an unattractive office space.

DIFFERENT FANS WILL OFFER DIFFERENT BENEFITS

There are many different types of fans to choose from so there are many factors to consider before buying a ceiling fan. Something to consider is the location and whether the fan will be placed indoors or outdoors. Outdoor fans will have certain characteristics making them more durable for the outdoor elements. You should also keep in mind that fans should be installed about 7 to 9 feet above floors so in rooms with lower ceilings, a fan that hugs closer to the ceiling will be necessary. Indoor and outdoor fans both have many other features to accommodate what you’re looking for. There are fans with lights, the ability to dim, wall controls, remote controls, energy efficiency, and some even come equipped with bluetooth speakers.

With all the different options for fans, you should really know what you’re looking for and do your research before making a purchase. It is also recommended to have an electrician install your fan for you to ensure safe installation. Installing a fan requires a lot of electrical work that can be done easily and safely by an electrician.

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Since 1967, Popkin Electric has been servicing Nassau homeowners. We address every job, no matter the size, with integrity, professionalism and the understanding that your home is your castle.