Why Ceiling Fans Are Always In Style

Interior designers may not consider a ceiling fan to be the focal point of a room, but both style-conscious individuals and those focused on functionality will appreciate the benefits these devices provide. Ceiling fans help reduce heating and cooling costs while enhancing comfort in your Ocean Isle home. Whether used independently or alongside your heating and cooling systems, ceiling fans are a surprisingly cost-effective solution for maximizing energy efficiency throughout the year.

How Do Ceiling Fans Work?

Ceiling fans increase the rate at which air circulates rather than actively cool air like air conditioning units. By circulating air throughout a room, they create a gentle breeze and move warm or cool air where it’s needed most. Variables in ceiling fan performance include the shape and angle of its blades and the direction it spins.

Want to get the most out of your ceiling fan? Here’s how to use it year-round:

In the winter, ceiling fans should spin clockwise. 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.

How To Choose the Right Size Ceiling Fan

Before installing a new ceiling fan, ensure 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. Choose a fan that’s the right size to avoid an overwhelming breeze or inadequate airflow.

According to ENERGY STAR recommendations, you can 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

Why Do Ceiling Fans Still Make a Lot of Sense?

Despite being invented in 1882, ceiling fans remain one of the most effective cooling methods available to homeowners, even though they’re also one of the simplest.

Ceiling Fan Efficiency

Are you wondering, “are ceiling fans energy efficient?” Yes, compared to portable fans, they’re more efficient because they move substantially more air by volume. And although efficiency varies by model, most ENERGY STAR-rated ceiling fans are more energy efficient than central air conditioning units.

Are Ceiling Fans Worth It?

Absolutely! A well-maintained ceiling fan allows you to raise your thermostat by 4 or 5 degrees during the summer, contributing to measurable ceiling fan energy savings each year. While slightly less impactful during winter, they distribute heat more evenly to reduce how often and how long your heating system runs.

Modern Ceiling Fan Tech Is Smart

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 maximize your energy savings and comfort.

Our Ceiling Fan Expertise Makes Installation a Breeze

At A+ Heating & Cooling - Electrical, we understand the substantial impact that energy efficiency can have on your household's financial expenditures in Ocean Isle, Southport, and the surrounding area. Our comprehensive home services are engineered to optimize system performance while ensuring reliable, hassle-free operation. Whether it's HVAC system maintenance or installing ceiling fans, you can trust our skilled technicians to deliver high-quality workmanship backed by extensive expertise.

Do Ceiling Fans Work? Efficiency, Sizing, and More