Ceiling fans can make you feel up to 7° F cooler, using just a fraction of the energy of even the smallest air conditioner. By providing ventilation, they also help prevent mildew growth in rooms with stagnant air.
ENERGY STAR®-qualified ceiling fans use improved motors and blade designs for greater efficiency, saving energy and money. Ceiling fan/light combination units that have earned the ENERGY STAR are about 50% more efficient than conventional fan/light units.
Here are some tips for using ceiling fans:
- For maximum comfort, circulation, and safety, ceiling fans should be installed in the middle of the room, at least 18 inches from the wall and 7 feet above the floor, and preferably 8 to 9 feet above the floor.
- For cooling, fan blades should rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, blowing air down.
- For best results, properly size the fan to fit the room. Small rooms, up to 75 square feet, can use a 29- to 36-inch fan. Medium-sized rooms, up to 144 square feet, can use a 36- to 42-inch fan. A larger room, up to 225 square feet, should use a 50- to 54-inch fan.
- If installing a fan in a humid location, purchase a fan that bears the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listing with a "damp" rating.
- If installing a fan where it might get wet, such as on a lanai, purchase a fan with a UL "wet" rating.
For more information, visit
www.energystar.gov.
