Energy costs keep going up and up. As people struggle to contain their heating and cooling expenses, ceiling fans have increased in popularity. They can help you feel cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter at a fraction of the cost of other modes of HVAC. In fact, a well-chosen ceiling fan can reduce your energy bill as much 40 percent in the summer and 10 percent in the winter, while costing no more to operate than a 100-watt light bulb.Your first concern when choosing a ceiling fan is size and positioning. The fan must be at least seven feet from the floor, but eight or nine feet will be more efficient. For rooms up to 64 square feet, a fan with a 32-inch span will be adequate. For a room between 64 and 144 square feet, you'll need a span of 42 or 44 inches. Larger rooms may need up to a 56-inch span.
Most people only think of their decor when choosing the blades, but you should be sure they have a pitch of at least 14 degrees. Also, it may seem counter-intuitive, but fans with four blades are more efficient than fans with five blades. That's because of the extra drag on the motor created by the weight of the fifth blade.
Finally, be certain that your fan is reversible. Set it to blow down in the summer and up in the winter. Since warmer air rises, the ceiling fan can move it down the walls and allow it to circulate where it will do the most good, down where you are!
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