Are you using your ceiling fan correctly? Whether you’re thinking of installing a ceiling fan in your home or simply wondering how to make the best use of the fan you already have, One Hour is here to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about ceiling fans. From calculating your fan’s impact on home energy costs to figuring out which direction the fan should spin, find the answers you’re looking for right here.

How will a ceiling fan impact energy efficiency in my home?

Most people who use ceiling fans in the summer benefit from the fan’s wind chill, which makes the temperature feel cooler. As a result, fan owners can often increase their thermostat setting by a few degrees to ultimately cut down on the expense of running an AC unit. In fact, turning back the thermostat can save 10% a year on heating and cooling costs, reports Energy.gov. Ceiling fans can improve temperature efficiency in the wintertime, too, because air movement pulls heat up from the vents and disperses it.

It’s important to turn your fan off when you leave the room, however. Because ceiling fans don’t actually change the temperature of a room, the air movement is useless if no one is there to feel it. Only running the fan while you’re in the room is a good habit to get into because it can greatly cut down on your energy costs over time.

How can I tell if a ceiling fan is efficient?

With so many options on the market, it can be tough to tell which ceiling fans will make the biggest difference in your energy savings. Luckily, Energy Star makes it easy to identify the most energy efficient ceiling fans. Energy Star is an EPA program designed to help people and businesses save money and reduce wasted energy. They review and certify products to determine their efficiency and if a product meets their standards, that product is clearly labeled with an Energy Star logo. This makes it easy to find the ceiling fans that are best for the environment and your energy bill.

Fans that earn the Energy Star label use one-third less energy than conventional ceiling fans, making them a great choice for your home.

How effective are ceiling fans in making a room feel cooler?

Ceiling fans make us feel cooler because they produce a “wind chill” in a room. Even though they don’t impact the actual temperature of a room, they can make an 80 degree room feel more like 72 degrees. Setting your thermostat to 78 degrees during the summer can save as much as 10% on your annual energy bill, so using a ceiling fan to make your space more comfortable is well worth it.

Which direction should my ceiling fan spin?

A counterclockwise motion pushes air downward—this is the proper setting for summertime months because it creates a wind chill effect that will help you feel cooler. If your fan is spinning in a clockwise motion, it’s pulling air upwards—which is the preferred direction for winter months because it pulls warm air up and disperses it out.

The factory setting for most fans is counterclockwise, so when it comes time to change the direction simply turn off the fan and flip the small switch located in the fan’s housing. One Hour Air is happy to help you reset your fan blade direction!

Should a ceiling fan run all year long?

Since warm air rises, any heat that gets trapped at your ceiling is wasted if the air is not dispersed. So even though you might not think to use your ceiling fan during the winter, it can improve the airflow of your home no matter the season.

When it comes to finding ways of improving energy efficiency in your home, installing a ceiling fan is a great place to start. By choosing an energy efficient certified fan, you can be assured that you’ve chosen a good product for the job. The wind chill effect that ceiling fans create helps you feel comfortable without needing to adjust the thermostat, which is also a great strategy for cutting down on energy costs. And if you reverse the direction of your fan, the upward air movement can help your room feel warmer by circulating heat that may be trapped near the ceiling. So, if you’re searching for a way to reduce your energy bill without sacrificing comfort, a ceiling fan might be the perfect solution for you! Contact us for help with choosing the right ceiling fan and for installation