Fans: You spin it right round. . . save energy in any season
Columbia, MD: Fans are one of life's pleasures and they can change a room adding to the the value you get out of the living space. Any homeowner will tell you that a fan installation is a seriously great upgrade. They help so many of us sleep at night, keep cool in the summer, and can reduce your energy bills significantly when used properly.
But, did you know you home ceiling fan works in 2 directions? Did you know you should change it depending on the season? Do you know if your fan is spinning in the right direction and when moving right, can reduce your cooling/ heating bills by 40%?
Below is the proper direction to spin, and when to switch:
Summer:
Heat rises. So, in the summer, the air near your ceiling is warm and the lower you go (eg. your basement), the cooler it gets. This means that (in theory), the air below your waist is colder than above. Legs are not usually "hot" and when you want to cool you body- you want the cold air nearer to your body's core.
During these months the idea is to push air down and let it mix with the cold air below. This disperses the "cold pool" of air usually found near the floor.
In order to do this, most fans already come moving in a Counter-Clockwise direction (pushing air down). This lowers the average temperature and also helps spread the "cooler low air" around the room. By lowering the overall average temperature in the "mid level" where you body's "temperature gauge" is, your room can feel as much as 8 degrees cooler with an operating fan.
Winter:
In the winter, the same principals are at play however the air down low is cold and you want to attempt to leave that undisturbed.
There is a small switch typically just above the light fixture on the fan. When you switch that (while the fan is turned off), the direction will change. The Clockwise direction pulls the mid level mild air up and disrupts the warmer air to disperse it around the room. This occurs all the while the cold air down low is mostly left undisturbed.
Studies have found this simple practice can reduce heating costs by 15%, help reduce dry air, and make the overall environment more comfortable.
Whole House Fans:
Considering a Whole House Fan? Now you're in the big leagues!
A whole house fan's main purpose is to eject the warm air (found in higher areas/ level of your home), and draw in cooler air from outside or lower levels. During late Spring and Early Autumn, the days can still be warm but night are cool. Because of the solar heat that naturally enters your home during the day, your HVAC units have to work on days that you would probably prefer to keep them turned off.
During the night or early morning, you can run your whole house fan to draw in fresh, outdoor air and cool the entire home (quickly) without having to run your HVAC systems. They are also good if you are cooking, running electronics, or have a full house of people (which all give off heat).
FACT: A fan is 15% to 50% more efficient than an HVAC system and can often work wonders in keeping your home's temperature normalized. Prior to HVAC systems, it's not the people were simply tough, but homes were designed to take advantage of natural air flows and work off the principal listed above. Windows were designed to be in line with one and other and out of direct sunlight. Rooms doors were not left open when they heated in the summer, but use to capture solar heat and help warm a home in the winter.
Give it a try and let us know how it works for you. Fans are for all seasons and with the right direction, you can learn to appreciate them even more.
Subscribe to this blog for regular tips and tricks, or LIKE our Facebook Page.
. . .and for fun:
EFynch is a homeowner and handyman management system and community based in Baltimore, Maryland and service Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia. Information above is for conversational purposes only and anyone reading this should consult a professional prior to making any changes, alterations, or repair work to their home.
