Ceiling fans have been out of style for a while now — right? Not so fast. These days, there are many stylish ceiling fans on the market, so your new fan doesn’t have to give you flashbacks of grandma’s kitchen.
But that’s not the only reason you should install ceiling fans in your home. They can help your home feel cooler in summer and warmer in winter, without any need to adjust the thermostat. You’ll save on heating and cooling costs, and a stylish new fan can complement your decor. Outside, ceiling fans can cool patios, porches, and other outdoor spaces, while deterring pests.
Be More Comfortable At Home
This has got to be the primary reason most people install ceiling fans. If you live in a warm climate, you already know that a ceiling fan is a must in the summer. Ceiling fans move the air around, creating a breeze that can keep you warm all summer long, with no need to crank up the A/C. In the winter, you can reverse the direction of the fan blades to push warm air down from the ceiling, keeping you warmer.
Save Money On Heating And Cooling Costs
Did you know that your air conditioner accounts for about a quarter of your home’s total energy consumption? The average cost of running an A/C is about 36 cents an hour, while the cost of running a ceiling fan is just a penny an hour.
Ceiling fans can help you delay turning on the A/C in the summer by keeping you cool through the milder spring months, and they can allow you to turn the A/C off earlier in the fall. During the summer, you can save by turning the thermostat up — a ceiling fan can make you feel four for five degrees cooler than the temperature of the room, so you can crank the thermostat up to 80 and still feel comfortable. In the winter, turn your thermostat down and reverse the direction of your ceiling fan blades to keep warm air circulating through your house instead of collecting at the ceiling. These measures can add up to big savings on your energy bills.
Enhance Your Decor
With so many stylish design options available today, you can choose ceiling fans that complement your decor. Choose from clean, minimalist designs; post-modern industrial looks; cabana-inspired, beachy styles; or art deco pieces.
And while you’re at it, today’s fans boast a range of features that the fans of the past couldn’t offer. Your new ceiling fan could have more than a light fixture and a couple of pull chains to control blades and bulbs. Modern wireless technology allows for remote-controlled fans and programmable smart units. Fan motors are also quieter than ever before.
Cool Outdoor Spaces
Got a porch, gazebo, patio, or other outdoor space that gets a bit too hot for comfort in the summer? A ceiling fan can add a cooling breeze to make these spaces more comfortable. Make sure you get an indoor/outdoor fan rated for the level of moisture the fan will be exposed to outdoors, and a qualified electrician to install it for you. A ceiling fan in your outdoor space can add class and sophistication while helping you and your guests beat the heat on hot summer afternoons and muggy evenings.
Deter Pests
If there’s one thing that can keep you inside on an otherwise beautiful summer’s evening, it’s bugged. No one wants to spend their evening swatting at flies and scratching at mosquito bites, no matter how pleasant the weather is.
Ceiling fans can help solve this problem. The gentle breeze they create seems gentle to you, but to tiny insects, it’s like a category five hurricane. Flies, mosquitos, midges, and other pests can’t fight their way through the wind to reach you, so you can enjoy your evening outdoors free from pests — and without the need to slather yourself in smelly chemicals or light ineffective citronella candles.
If you’re feeling sweaty in the summer and shivery in the winter, you need a ceiling fan. They can make a huge difference in your home’s comfort level all year round, and they’re great for outdoor spaces, too. Install ceiling fans wherever your home needs more climate control, and enjoy lower energy costs and greater comfort levels.
