Why Ceiling Fans Are Always In Style

Ceiling fans may not be the main attraction in a room, but they offer great benefits for both style and function. They can help reduce your heating and cooling costs while improving comfort in your Decatur home. Whether used alone or alongside your heating and cooling systems, ceiling fans are a smart and cost-effective way to save energy throughout the year.

How Do Ceiling Fans Work?

It’s important to understand that ceiling fans do not cool the air like air conditioning units. Instead, they simply enhance the circulation of the air. When they circulate air in a room, they create a gentle breeze and direct warm or cool air where it is needed most. The size of the ceiling fan and the shape of its blades are important—and so is the direction in which it spins. Here’s how you can make the best use of your ceiling fall all year:

Ceiling fans should spin clockwise in winter. Because warm air rises, a clockwise spinning fan will create an updraft, pushing warmer air down along the walls. After you set your ceiling fan direction for winter, set the speed to a low setting to avoid creating a breeze.
The ceiling fan direction for summer is counterclockwise. This creates a downdraft that produces a cooling breeze throughout the room. The faster the fan spins, the more air it moves, and the more of a breeze you’ll feel.

Are Ceiling Fans Outdated?

Despite being invented in 1882, ceiling fans remain one of the most effective cooling methods available to homeowners—and also one of the simplest.

Ceiling Fan Efficiency

Are you wondering, “Are ceiling fans energy efficient?” The answer is yes, since most ENERGY STAR-rated ceiling fans are more energy efficient than central air conditioning units, although efficiency varies by model. They’re also more efficient than portable fans because they move substantially more air by volume.

Smart Ceiling Fans

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 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.

How To Determine the Size of a Ceiling Fan

If you’re thinking of installing a new ceiling fan, make sure you find the perfect fit for your room. Ceiling fan sizes are determined by their blade span, or the full diameter of the circle created by the blades while spinning. Choosing a ceiling fan that is too big results in an overwhelming breeze, and it can dominate the space. Yet if your fan is too small, you’ll have inadequate airflow.

Here’s a breakdown of how ENERGY STAR recommends you find the right ceiling fan, based on the square footage of the room where it will be installed:

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

Are Ceiling Fans Worth It?

Ceiling fans are absolutely worth it! A well-maintained ceiling fan allows you to raise your thermostat by 4 or 5 degrees during the summer. This can contribute to measurable ceiling fan energy savings each year. And in the winter, run the blades the other direction to distribute heat more evenly and reduce how often and how long your heating system runs.

Our Ceiling Fan Expertise Makes Installation a Breeze

At Valley Heating & Cooling, we understand that energy efficiency has a real-world impact on your family budget. Our home services are designed to provide superior performance and worry-free use—from HVAC maintenance to ceiling fan installation, you can count on quality work by experienced, friendly technicians. We’re ready to help, so schedule your appointment today!

Call 256-474-7550 or contact us online to schedule HVAC, electrical, or plumbing services in Decatur, Athens, and the surrounding areas.

Do Ceiling Fans Work? Efficiency, Sizing, and More