Now that winter is here, you’re probably looking for effective ways to control your heating costs without eroding your comfort. You may be surprised to learn that running the ceiling fans in your home during heating season is an easy way to achieve both these goals.
Winter Ceiling Fan Use 101
Ceiling fans are an low-cost tool to help your heating system work more efficiently because they only use about as much energy as a 100-watt light bulb. Another reason why they help save energy is how they function in conjunction with the heating system: heated air naturally gravitates towards the ceiling, and the spinning blades of a fan help push it down again into the living space. Operating a ceiling fan can also boost your comfort too, because it helps keep heated air evenly distributed so the temperature stays more consistent.
Ceiling Fan Operation Tips to Increase Heating Efficiency
Here are some operating tips to help you maximize the benefits of running ceiling fans in the wintertime:
- Switch the blade direction. First, shut off the fan for safety, then slide the directional button on the fan housing to put the blades in reverse. Turn the fan on and look up: the blades should rotate clockwise and you should feel minimal air movement when standing underneath.
- Put the fan speed on low. Fast-spinning fan blades create windchill, and you don’t want this during heating season. Instead, the blades should rotate gently to direct air from the center of the ceiling and down the walls to help you benefit fully from the warmth provided by your heat pump or furnace.
- Operate your fans wisely. To get the greatest benefit from operating the fans, keep the one closest to your thermostat running continuously to help it function more accurately. If you have a two-story home, you should have a fan in the stairwell and leave it running all the time. Turn on the fans in other rooms only when the space is occupied.
For more tips about using ceiling fans in your Dayton home this winter, contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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