Remember last winter when sky-high increases in ConEd bills prompted New York lawmakers to investigatethe utility giant? To put that into perspective, those increases were when crude oil prices were less than $14 per barrel than they are right now. And even though August crude prices hit a six-month low earlier this month, the commodity remains volatile.
But did you know that in this high-tech world of smart home devices, one of the most efficient ways of stretching your energy dollar is the good old-fashioned ceiling fan? Best of all, having a properly installed ceiling fan can reap benefits even in the winter months.
A Natural Wind Chill Effect
The “feels like” temperature that meteorologists refer to considers a lot of factors that include air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. Ceiling fans create a wind chill effect inside your home that will make you more comfortable, even if it’s also cooled by natural ventilation or air conditioning.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Ceiling Fan
Of course, you can turn on a ceiling fan at any time and immediately get the benefit of its breeze. But, with some careful planning, you can save even more of your energy dollars. Here are some tricks you can use to make the most out of your ceiling fan to increase your savings. The best thing is all these tricks are really simple!
Change the Direction: Modern ceiling fans come equipped with two directional settings; clockwise and counterclockwise. And depending on the season, you should change those settings to maximize your fan’s efficiency. Changing the setting from clockwise to counterclockwise can be as simple as getting on a stepstool and flipping a switch on the side of the fan. Some smart models that require professional installation can change direction by the use of an app.
Summer Down/Winter Up: During the summer months, your ceiling fans should be running counterclockwise on high with the air blowing down directly below the fan. This creates optimal air movement in the center of your room where you need it most to feel cool on your skin.
In the winter, you’ll want your fan running clockwise to move warm air up to the ceiling so it circulates through the room. This forces warm air and cool air to mix in the room, keeping the room at a steadier temperature. In this setting, your heating system doesn’t have to work so hard to keep your room warm.
TIP: There’s an easy way to find out the direction your fan should rotate. In the summer, stand underneath the fan and turn it on. If you feel a breeze from the fan, then it’s set on the right setting for summer, counterclockwise. In the winter, if you stand underneath and feel a breeze, you’ll need to change the setting to clockwise.
Raise the Temperature to Make it Cooler: Although this sounds counterintuitive if you’re going to run a ceiling fan continuously on a hot day, raise the temperature on your thermostat by a few degrees. Remember, a ceiling fan doesn’t directly cool the air as much as it helps circulate cool air better. It also creates a breeze that makes the room feel cooler than it really is.
Get Smart: The energy used by leaving a ceiling fan on all day can take away the saving you get from only using it when you need it. There are a variety of smart ceiling fans on the market today. But if you don’t want to invest in a new ceiling fan, you can invest a smart switch to control it and set it to work when you’ll be home.
Join the Fandom Today
For over fifty years, PK & Altman Electric has performed ceiling fan installations across New York City. We’re on hand for all phases of the process from helping you choose the fan that’s right for you to the removal of an existing fixture and custom wiring for the latest smart home models. We perform all manners of fan installations for both inside your home and business as well as outdoor spaces. And, as a licensed contractor approved by Con Edison, all work done by PK & Altman Electric’s expert staff is guaranteed to meet New York City safety code standards.
From contemporary chic to a classic look straight out of the film Casablanca, our team of licensed electricians in on-hand to help you warm up your style while cooling things down! No project is too difficult. From estimate to completion, we’ll make sure that your new fan installation is a breeze!
At PK Electric NYC, we understand the importance of energy efficiency. Our commercial electrical installations in NYC focus on optimizing energy usage and reducing costs. In addition, our services extend to ECB violation removal, electrical repairs, lighting installations, ceiling fan repairs, electrical panel wiring, and residential electrical services. A ceiling fan is an excellent addition to any space, providing comfort while helping to lower energy consumption. With our expertise in electrical solutions, we ensure proper installation and maintenance of ceiling fans, maximizing their energy-saving benefits. Trust PK Electric NYC to keep you cool, comfortable, and energy-efficient all year round.
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