When ceiling fans were invented in the late 1800s their primary purpose was to provide a cooling breeze during periods of warm weather. This continued to be their main function until the early 1990s when competition from foreign manufacturers forced American companies to develop new and innovative ways to market their products. The result has been the development of fans that are not only technologically advanced but their creative designs are an asset to the d?穢cor of the room where they are installed.
How they work.
Ceiling fans, unlike air conditioners, do not cool the air but rather provide a cooling effect by pushing the air downward. This gentle breeze creates evaporation of moisture from the skin and can give an effective cooling of 6 or 7 degrees. You can save on your electric bill by turning the fan off when you're not in the room since there is no benefit if you are not there.
During the winter heating season ceiling fans also play a role in keeping a uniform temperature throughout the room. By reversing the direction of rotation cooler air is pulled up from the floor and the warm air is pushed down to replace it. This means that cooler air is pushed up toward the ceiling while the warm air keeps the floor level comfortable. When used in this manner the fan should run a slower speed to avoid creating a draft.
Ceiling fans can also team up with air conditioners such as those mounted through the wall or in a window. Operating the fan so it pushes air down from the ceiling not only provides a cooling effect from evaporation of skin moisture but it disperses the cool air from the air conditioner more evenly in the room.
There is one situation where the fan operation is the opposite from what has been described and this occurs when the room has exceptionally high ceilings such as two stories high or where the fan is located at the top of a stairwell. With that much distance from the fan to the floor the evaporation effect is nil. In this case you would want to push the warm air down during the heating season and pull the cooler air up in the warm weather.
What size fan should I chose for my room?
There is no hard and fast rule for picking the size fan for your living space. A rough suggestion would be a 50 to 56 inch fan for a typical master bedroom or living room where a larger living room would require 60 inches or more. Smaller rooms for example, a bathroom, office, or child's room may only require a 42 to 48 inch fan. The floor area is not the only consideration when deciding on the fan size. The ceiling height as well as the type of ceiling and the room furnishings will also influence your decision. Ultimately your choice will be based on your own personal preference as much as anything else.
Suppose I have low ceilings.
If your ceiling is low enough that you would feel uncomfortable installing a 'regular' ceiling fan you could consider a 'hugger fan'. This type of fan is mounted closer to the ceiling allowing for some extra space between the blades and the floor. One disadvantage is that they do no move the air as efficiently as regular fans but if you're willing to make that tradeoff then it may be an option.
Outdoor Fans.
On first consideration, an outdoor fan may seem like a rather strange idea. But consider a situation when you are sitting on your porch on a warm summer evening but there is no breeze. Wouldn't it be nice to have a gentle cooling breeze produced by an overhead fan? It would also help to keep the bugs at bay. There are two types of outdoor fans - one is for damp locations such as a covered porch and the other is for wet locations where it is directly exposed to rain and the weather. If you're thinking about an outdoor fan make sure you chose the right one for the place you have in mind.
In today's world ceiling fans not only help to regulate temperature but they add a whole new dimension to the decoration of the space where they are installed.
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