Do Ceiling Fans Actually Cool A Room?
Do you think of your ceiling fan as a cost-effective alternative to running your air conditioner? Ceiling fans do not actually make the air in a room cooler, they simply make you feel cooler by eliminating stagnant air. As the moving air passes over your body, you’ll feel cooler and more comfortable. Keep reading for more ceiling fan benefits, tips, and potential problems.
Benefits of Ceiling Fans
As discussed, ceiling fans do make you feel cooler, even though they’re not actually dropping the temperature of the air around you. This is called the wind-chill effect. On top of making you feel more comfortable, there are other benefits to running your ceiling fans as well.
Save You Money
Because ceiling fans make you feel cooler in a space, you can turn the temperature of your thermostat to a more efficient setting. Raising the temperature even by 2-3 degrees will save you a noticeable amount on your energy bills. Why? Ceiling fans use considerably less energy than your air conditioner, so you won’t be using as much when your fans are running to keep your home cooler, rather than your HVAC system doing all the work itself.
Regulate Humidity
Being able to regulate humidity in Central Alabama is a lifesaver in the hot, humid months of spring, summer, and early fall. Ceiling fans can help with this by moving air around the room to disperse moisture and keep it from accumulating in a space. While they can’t remove the moisture from the air as a dehumidifier can, they are a huge help!
When humidity is regulated, you’ll also feel cooler in your home. If your indoor humidity levels are over 60%, give Barrett a call today to talk about a dehumidifier for your Prattville or Montgomery home.
Helpful Tips:
Don’t run ceiling fans in unoccupied rooms. Since they don’t actually cool a room, there’s no point in using the extra energy while you’re not there to reap the benefits.
Use ceiling fans on mild days. As we get into late September and October months, the weather will cool down. Don’t be afraid to open windows, turn on ceiling fans, and circulate cool, fresh air throughout your home.
Ensure your blades are rotating correctly. In the summer, your ceiling fans should spin counter-clockwise, pushing air straight down. In the winter, fans should spin clockwise, pushing the air up to disperse warm air more evenly throughout the room.
Get professional installation. If you’re looking to install ceiling fans, contact a professional. Installation requires electrical work that can be dangerous or even life-threatening for inexperienced hands.
Position ceiling fans correctly. Placing ceiling fans in the right spot in any room is crucial for proper air circulation and maximum efficiency.
Potential Problems
If you regularly use your ceiling fan, you may experience the following problems from time to time. If you experience these issues, call a professional to fix them.
Unable to Change Speed: If you’re unable to change the speed setting on your ceiling fan, it could be due to a faulty dimmer, rough ball bearings, dead capacitor, or overheated motor.
Wobbling: If it looks like your ceiling fan could fall at any moment, it may have been installed incorrectly. With a poor connection, a ceiling fan can become wobbly over time and will need to be repaired or re-installed.
Making Noise: If your fan is making noise, it likely needs a good cleaning and lubrication on the ball bearings.
Stopped Working: If your ceiling fan has stopped working, there is likely an issue with the circuit or it could have a faulty motor.
Air Conditioner and Ceiling Fans
You should not consider ceiling fans as an alternative to air conditioning. If the air in your home is warm, your fans aren’t going to help cool you down. They can, however, aid your comfort system in keeping your home more comfortable throughout the year. If your air conditioner isn’t keeping your home comfortable on its own, it may be time for a replacement. The HVAC comfort systems offered by Barrett Cooling provide maximum efficiency, precise comfort, and humidity control. Ask us about our comfort systems today!
Learn More
Interested in learning more about how your ceiling fan aids your air conditioner? Contact us. We can answer any questions you might have and make recommendations as to which system will work better for your home.
To view the air conditioners we offer in the Prattville and Elmore, AL area, visit our Air Conditioners page on our website. For questions about controlling humidity in your home, call us at (334) 365-2011 or email us at info@barrettcooling.com.
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