‘They cool you’

June 27, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Ceiling fans can reduce energy costs in summer and winter

Associated Press

Conjure up an image of vacationers sitting on a verandah at a tropical resort, a ceiling fan rotating overhead and supplementing the cooling effect of the ocean breezes.

Well, you don’t have to go to the tropics to realize the benefits — or create the ambiance — of ceiling fans. They can provide an energy-efficient supplement to air conditioning during these hot summer months.

The concept is simple. If you use a ceiling fan, you can raise your thermostat and still get the same cooling effect. That means lower electric bills in the long run.

Ceiling fans work by creating a wind-chill effect. As in winter, when the wind makes it feel colder outside, so the wind — or motion — created by ceiling fans makes you feel cooler in the summer.

“Ceiling fans don’t cool the room, they cool you,” said Maria Vargas, spokeswoman and brand manager for Energy Star, the government program designed to promote energy efficiency. Raising the thermostat by 2 degrees and using a ceiling fan can cut energy costs by about 14 percent over the course of a season, Vargas said.

That makes them a good, low-cost supplement to air conditioning. Jeremy Tarr, director of marketing for Hunter Fan Co., says the energy cost of running a ceiling fan is similar to that of running a standard incandescent light bulb. “You can save much more by raising the thermostat,” he said.

Some studies have shown that people can move their thermostats up 4 to 6 degrees and not perceive any real difference if they’re using a ceiling fan, Tarr said.

“Saving money is something that has never gone out of style,” said John Reeve, manager of Dan’s Fan City in Rockville, Md. But, he’s quick to add, that’s not the only reason people buy ceiling fans.

“It’s energy-efficient and some people like the feeling of air movement,” he said. “It takes the stuffiness out of a room. It could add to the decor.”

By adding some motion to a room, Tarr said, fans add “a little bit of character.”

cost

The cost of a fan depends on the options.

At Dan’s Fan City, fans range from the simplest model, costing about $40, to builder-grade fans with a price tag of $3,000.

Reeve said consumers should plan to spend $100 to $250 for a fan.

A light kit adds to the cost.

seasonal savings

Most ceiling fans are reversible. During the summer, the blades should move counterclockwise as you look up at the fan, creating a wind chill. In winter months, they should move clockwise. That helps bring the hot air down from the ceiling and even out the heating.

Hunter Fan Co. says you can save 15 percent on your winter heating costs by lowering your thermostat 4 degrees and using a ceiling fan.

location

What’s the ideal spot for a ceiling fan?

Many people install them in bedrooms or great rooms.

“A lot of folks put fans in kitchens and eating areas,” Reeve said. “Anywhere you have a ceiling you can have a fan.”

fan facts

When you go to buy a fan, you’ll need to know more than just what style you like.

Consider the size of the room, Tarr said. For a larger bedroom, go with a 52-inch fan. For a great room, a 60- or 70-inch fan would work best. “For smaller rooms, a 44- or 42-inch fan may be just fine,” he said.

The measurement refers to the length of the blades.

There also are different motor sizes. “You need a fan with a properly sized motor to get an efficient air flow,” Tarr said.

When you leave a room, turn the fan off to get the maximum energy efficiency. Unlike an air conditioner, the wind-chill effect produced by the ceiling fan is immediate. You don’t lose anything by turning it off when you’re not there.

The energy savings can be even greater if your fan is certified by Energy Star. Although savings depend on the amount of use and the climate, Vargas said Energy Star fans are about 50 percent more efficient than conventional ones, leading to savings of about $25 a year.

In 2009, however, these fans cost about $80 more than a conventional one.

Energy Star and Hunter Fan also recommend using a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature during waking hours, or when you are away or sleeping.