Now is an excellent time to take steps to minimise the impact of heat on your home this summer, and when it comes to cooling your home, it is worthwhile considering the benefits of ceiling fans.
Ceiling fans are an economical alternative means of cooling your home. They don’t use the power that portable and ducted reverse air conditioners demand and can add to the visual appearance of your home. Additionally, when run in conjunction with an air conditioner, ceiling fans can substantially reduce your total cooling costs.
It may come as a surprise to learn that most ceiling fans run on very little power, typically costing as little as three cents per hour – which is about the same as a sixty watt light bulb. This means that when you run a ceiling fan together with your air conditioner you can reduce your air conditioner operating costs by up to forty percent. That’s a massive saving.
Unlike air conditioners, ceiling fans don’t reduce room temperature, but give the same effect as a summer breeze does: by circulating air over your skin, this cools you by speeding up the evaporation of your perspiration. While the room temperature may not change, this sensation can help you feel up to eight degrees cooler.
There are a few features of which you should be aware when considering a ceiling fan option.
Ceiling Height
Needs to be at least 2.1m and maybe as much as 2.4m depending upon the model you choose. If your ceiling is really high, you may need an extension rod to lower the fan to its optimum height.
Blade material
Ceiling blades can be made of a variety of timbers, stainless steel, aluminium or plastic. While all materials work well, blades made of timber and plastic tend to be quieter – keep this in mind if considering ceiling fans for bedrooms or other quieter places.
Reversible rotation
Many ceiling fans have a reversible rotation feature. The reverse function allows air to be drawn upward rather than creating a downward breeze. This functionality gives you flexibility when operating with reverse cycle air conditioners and heaters. In winter the reverse rotation will suck warm air in an upward motion to create an air cycle that pushes warm air down along the walls. This movement of air has been shown to reduce heating costs by ten percent.
Fan Balance kit can help to correct annoying fan wobbles and improve efficiency.
Controls and Settings
There are a variety of controls available, from pull cords to remote control. Obviously, remote control functions give you greater flexibility and they may also help to overcome some tricky wiring situations. Wall mounted switches are a good alternative but will require professional installation from a licensed electrician, like ours at Everest Electrical.
Integrated lights make good sense, otherwise your light can be interrupted by rotating ceiling blades.
Wiring and Mounting
It is mandatory to engage professional help to install ceiling fans. To be sure that everything is wired correctly, engaging professional installation makes good sense.
Of course, if you are on Sydney’s North Shore or Northern Beaches, and are looking to install a ceiling fan to help you battle the coming hot weather, our Everest Electrical professionals can help you to choose the right fan to suit your situation. We will also ensure that your fan is installed professionally and safely.
We invite you to call us today on 0410 229 139 to make an appointment to discuss your needs.