Ceiling Fans: Are They Worth It?

Can ceiling fans really save you money? Are they energy efficient? What are the negative and positives of having a ceiling fan? Here are some things to know before deciding to invest in a ceiling fan.

Do they help save energy?

Yes, they can. If you have AC in your house, then you probably know that it takes up 25% of all home energy consumption. If you have ceiling fans and AC operating, you can increase your thermostat by 4 degrees without losing comfort. By using this method, you can lower your energy bill.

Can ceiling fans replace AC?

No. Fans don’t actually cool a room, they create a windchill effect that makes it feel cooler without lowering the temperature of a room. If the room is already extremely hot, ceiling fans will be pushing hot air around the room, not making anything cooler.

Any Negatives?

Routine Maintenance

• Inspecting ~ Should happen at least once a year to ensure everything is working correctly. You should be able to insect the unit yourself using a ladder.
• Cleaning ~ After inspecting your fan, you will probably notice a layer of dust. Dust accumulation is can reduce airflow, make the fan work less efficiently and be bad for your health. When cleaning the blade, make sure not to use a product that will take away the finish.
• Lubrication ~ Check with your ceiling fan guide before adding any lubrication. Typically, you make sure the fan is turned off before adding 4-6 drops of lubrication oil to the small hole located near the motor. Some models are maintenance free and don’t require lubrication so make sure to check which kind of model you have.

What can go wrong…

• Wobbling ~ Over time, ceiling fans can start to wobble but there are balancing kits that are made to fix this specific issue.
• Noise ~ When ceiling fans are making excessive noise, it is usually due to a loose part or a sign if needs lubrication. try tightening up any fixtures or lubricating the motor.
  

So, are ceiling fans worth it?

When looking at the positives and negatives of owning a ceiling fan, the small amount of routine maintenance seems worth it if you are able to save money on energy costs. Keep in mind that You are only able to save energy by coupling ceiling fans with AC and raising the AC to 4 degrees higher than you would normally set it to.

Extra tips

• Don’t leave your fan running 24/7, turn it off when no one is in the room.
• Make sure your ceiling height is at least 8 feet.
• Ceiling fans can also be used in winter to warm up rooms with the flip of a switch that reverses the direction of the rotation, creating an updraft.
• Consider installing a movement sensor to prevent the fan from running when no one is in the room, saving you energy.