The ceiling fan is a cultural icon in New Orleans. These fans lend to a very “southern”decor, and provide functional and aesthetic value wherever they are installed. Most residents of New Orleans, LA know that ceiling fans are a welcome comfort in the summertime. However, ceiling fans are useful for every season to circulate the air and lighten the load on your heating system and air conditioner. A ceiling fan will make you feel cooler in the summer and will make the home feel less “stuffy” in the winter. You can reduce the energy used by your HVAC system by as much as 40 percent with the use of fans throughout the home.
Installing the Ceiling Fan
A ceiling fan in each room can make the house feel much cooler in the summer by creating a breeze. These fans only use about as much electricity as a 100 watt light bulb, but they can help lower your air conditioning costs. For ceiling fans to most effectively conserve energy in your home, you should have the fans installed in every room. Each fan should be installed between seven and nine feet off the floor, and about one foot below the ceiling. When the fans are mounted too close to the ceiling, you loose efficiency. The fans should be mounted at least 18 inches from any walls. Properly installed ceiling fans are stylish and provide you with effortless energy savings.
Using the Ceiling Fan
Summer Use
Each ceiling fan has a switch that allows you to change the direction of the blades. For summer use, the blades of the fan should travel counter-clockwise for maximum benefit. The fans stir and move the conditioned, cooled air throughout the home. Your home can feel as much as 8 degrees cooler with the use of fans.
Winter Use
During the winter, the fan blades should be set to travel in a clockwise direction. Because warm air rises, the fan blades traveling in a clockwise direction forces the warm air toward the ceiling and down the walls to improve the efficiency of the heating system. You can reduce the energy use of your heating system by as much as 10 percent by using fans in the winter.
Energy Star Fans
Consider purchasing an Energy Star ceiling fan for maximum benefit. Fans with the Energy Star seal circulate at the rate of more than 15 percent the rate of standard ceiling fans. Energy efficient fans further reduce the energy consumption of your heating and air conditioning system. Energy Star fans are approximately 60 percent more energy efficient than a 150 watt light bulb.
If you would like more information about how to improve the efficiency of your HVAC equipment, call Bryans United Air Conditioning. One of the most important things you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your heating and air conditioning system is to have an annual tune-up performed on your equipment. Bryans United Air Conditioning installs, maintains and repairs HVAC systems in the greater New Orleans, LA area. Call Bryans for your HVAC needs.
Written by Zach Mouton
