How a Modern Ceiling Fan Can Save You Money

You may want a modern ceiling fan to upgrade the look of your home — but that’s not all a new fan can do! A ceiling fan can help you save money on your utility bills, too. When you’re savvy about how you use your fan, you’ll love the cool breezes and lower monthly payments.

Curious to learn more? Read on to learn how a modern ceiling fan can save you money!

Use Ceiling Fans During Active Times

One way to conserve energy — and money — is by running your fans only during high-traffic times. In other words, don’t keep your fans running when no one’s in a room. Only use them when you’re watching television, eating with family, or doing another activity.

Do ceiling fans use a lot of electricity? They don’t use nearly as much as an air conditioning unit. And they’ll use even less if you’re intentional about when you use them.

Once you’re done spending time in a room, turn the fan off before leaving. You could even leave a note to remind yourself. And make sure that all members of your household are following the same protocol.

For instance, if you’re throwing a cocktail party where you allow guests in multiple rooms, turn on the fans. You’ll help avoid stagnant air so guests won’t feel stuffy. Just be sure to switch the fans off in unused spaces when the party ends.

Turn the Thermostat Higher When Using a Ceiling Fan

When the outside air is sweltering, your instinct is to notch up the thermostat. While that does provide some relief, you’ll be writing a hefty check when the utility bill arrives. Fortunately, using your ceiling fan can help you save money.

Even with the fan running at a medium or high speed, you’ll save money. That’s because the fan won’t eat up as much energy as your air conditioning unit, even when the fan’s working harder.

Test the waters with your thermostat. Turn it up a few degrees and turn on your fan. You might be surprised by just how comfortable it is — and you might be able to tolerate an even higher temperature.

Keep Your Winter Heating Costs Down

Do ceiling fans help with heating costs? Yes, they do! It might not sound intuitive to turn on a ceiling fan during the winter months, but you can cut down your heating bill if you do it.

Your fan may be set to turn counterclockwise in the summer months. When you hit winter, you’ll want to find the switch on your fan to change direction. And you’ll want to ensure that your fan is moving at a low speed in the winter months.

The idea is that a fan moving clockwise will pull the cold air toward the ceiling. Since warm air wants to rise, the ceiling fan helps counter that tendency. In fact, it pushes the warm air down and to the sides so you can enjoy more of it!

Some newer fans offer other features like heaters. You can maximize savings by turning this feature on during the winter months. The fan will reverse direction automatically from its summer mode and distribute the warm air throughout your room.

Save Money on Hourly Energy Costs

How are ceiling fans energy efficient? Look for fans with DC motors rather than AC motors. The DC motors are more efficient, using far less energy than their older counterparts.

Also, look for fans with an Energy Star designation. This means that they have met specifications set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. They will be 60% more efficient than other fans on the market.

Running a fan for one hour will cost a mere fraction of the cost to run your air conditioning unit for an hour. As another benefit, you’ll ease the burden on your air conditioning unit. Since most units last about a decade or more, you’ll want to do what you can to extend their lifespan.

Take advantage of days where the humidity is low and open your windows. Turn off your air conditioning or turn up your thermostat at night before you go to bed. Then turn on your fan to get the air moving!

Modern Ceiling Fans Offer Better Blades

Your fan can become a style statement while generating air movement. For larger spaces, you can opt for fans with a 10-foot span. Or opt for smaller fans that are positioned above the main areas of activity in a room.

Try a fan with an industrial style to complement a kitchen remodel. Or introduce a sleek fan in gunmetal gray to match exposed brick or polished concrete floors. You can find some models that feature a mesh cage over the blades for the ultimate industrial vibe.

And if you’re concerned that a fan might look too overpowering in a room, don’t be. Some modern ceiling fans have retractable blades. This means that the blades only extend when the fan is in use.

Find Energy Savings with a New Ceiling Fan

Introducing a ceiling fan into the rooms in your house is a smart way to save money. If you nudge up your thermostat and turn on a fan, you may start to see your utility bills move in the right direction. And by adding a few fans to your living spaces, you create a new focal point that can elevate your style.

For more ideas to transform your home, check back for new and informative articles.