This is a common question for many people who are concerned about the amount of energy consumed in their household. If you want to make sure your house is always kept at an optimum temperature without an excessive energy consumption, there are a few simple things to do. Read below for a few tips on how you should use your fan ceiling in combination with your air conditioner unit.
Know Which Way the Blades Should Rotate
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During different seasons, it’s beneficial to keep air circulating throughout each of the rooms. This ensures furnaces and air conditioning units are working optimally to maintain proper temperature. A household could save quite a bit of money by simply changing the rotation of the fan throughout the year. It’s as easy as flipping a switch!
Located on the main body and beneath the fan blades is a button or toggle switch. It’s important to know which way the blades need to rotate and move the switch if necessary. The confusion is in knowing which rotation is correct for the proper air movement – clockwise or counter clockwise?
Summertime Fan Blade Rotation
During the warm New Jersey spring and summer months, cool air rises to the ceiling while the warmer air stays closer to the floor. In order to push the cooler air towards the floor, the blades need to rotate counter clockwise. This will keep the air temperature in the room more consistent and provide comfort for the whole family. With reduced air conditioner use, monthly utility bills go down.
Wintertime Fan Blade Rotation
In the cooler fall and winter months, the exact opposite process happens with warm air rising to the ceiling while colder air remains at floor level. To move the warm air downwards, the fan blades need to rotate clockwise. The room will stay warmer and the furnace will not have to work so hard to keep a warmer temperature in. This also reduces energy costs and saves money.
Here’s another quick tip to remember how the blades should turn is:
• High temperatures – the leading edge of the blades will point up (counter clockwise)
• Low temperatures – the leading edge of the blades will point down (clockwise)
Purchasing a New Ceiling Fan
There are many different types, styles and sizes of fans to purchase. Some are ceiling mounted, while others suspend from a rod. Another option is to have a lighting feature. It’s all a personal preference. When thinking of energy efficiency and rotation, the most important thing to consider is the blade angle.
For an average size room, look for fans that have a blade angle of 12°-14°. Larger rooms can accommodate bigger fans that have angles of 14° and above. Avoid ceiling fans that have flat blades. These blades will only slice through the air and will do little to help circulate air.
Trust in PFO
Using these simple guidelines will help you stay comfortable year-round and extend the life of the furnace and air conditioning units (saving money in the long run). For additional tips and energy saving ideas in the New Jersey area, please visit our blog and contact the experts at www.PrincetonFuel.com or 1-800-253-9001.