Winter is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to get your generator ready for possible storms, put batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors so you’re set to light a fire, and prepare your home’s exterior for holiday lighting. However, when it comes to your electrical system, there’s one more thing to do before the winter season that you may not be aware of—think about installing a ceiling fan.
We all know ceiling fans can be extremely beneficial in the summer, when they help cool your home down and offset costs from running your air conditioning system. However, many homeowners aren’t aware that their house can also benefit from using a ceiling fan in the colder months, too. Keep reading for what you need to know about ceiling fans this winter, and remember that for all of your residential electrical needs, you can count on our skilled electricians at Mel Carr Electric.
The Benefits of Installing a Ceiling Fan This Winter
The key to successfully using your ceiling fan this winter is simply to change your fan’s rotation to clockwise. This way, when you run your heating system, air will be distributed more evenly throughout your space, as the warm air will be pushed down and the cold air will get brought up (this is what’s known as an “updraft.”) Granted, it is important that you keep your ceiling fan on a lower setting during the wintertime, or it will not be able to function efficiently. But assuming you reverse your fan’s directions properly, your fan can provide you with a lot of benefits throughout the winter months.
By using ceiling fans this winter, you may be able to:
- Save Money: On average, it is estimated that running ceiling fans in reverse can help you reduce overall heating and cooling costs by about 10%. That’s a decent chunk out of your utility bill!
- Improve Thermostat Performance: Depending on the season you are in, running your ceiling fans allows you to raise or lower the temperature of your thermostat by roughly 4°F. This may not seem like a lot, but it could mean the difference between using your HVAC system frequently and giving it a break every once in awhile—all without having an effect on your general comfort! Keep in mind, the less you run your HVAC equipment, the longer your system will last.
- Less Heat Loss: Moving warm air downward reduces the amount of heat that escapes from your attic. The less heat loss that occurs in your home, the lower the “stack effect” will be (when warm air rises in tall buildings, looking for an exit.) This goes back to the same reason why it is important to seal cracks and holes throughout your home, and make sure your attic is properly insulated. The less air you lose, the better your equipment will work, and the more comfortable you’ll be.
- Better Indoor Air Quality: Because ceilings fans improve airflow, they can also strengthen your house’s indoor air quality. Granted, ceiling fans are not an adequate ventilation method alone, but working in conjunction with proper filtration, they can help circulate stale air and prevent excess moisture buildup, which leads to mold growth.
If you are interested in installing a ceiling fan this winter, just call Mel Carr Electric at (518) 500-3042. You can also fill out our contact form online.