Ceiling Fans
Keep Your NC Home Comfortable With Ceiling fans!
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In the Raleigh area if there is one universal concern for every homeowner, it’s how do I keep my house cool in the summer? Generally people resort to turning on their A/C, which works fine until that power bill comes in in August! Open a window? Not in Carolina Humidity. Luckily there’s another way to bring in a breeze. Ceiling fans are perfect for keeping things comfortable without your utility bill looking like a telephone number. Many people (especially some moving from more temperate climates) don’t know all the benefits to ceilings fans and how to capitalize on them to the fullest. At ARC all our electricians are well versed in replacing ceiling fans with new ones, balancing old ones, and even adding a new ceiling fan where there isn’t currently one! Read below, and we’re sure you’ll be calling us up to schedule your new fan install!
How a Ceiling Fan Keeps You Cool
Think about the “wind chill” you hear on a winter weather forecast. That’s the feeling of air movement making the temperature feel colder than it actually is. A ceiling fan works on the same principle.1 It creates a breeze that makes you feel cooler, even though it doesn’t actually lower the temperature of the room.2 In fact, the motor technically produces a tiny bit of heat, but the cooling effect of the air moving over your skin completely cancels that out.
As Danny Parker, a research scientist at the Florida Solar Energy Center, explains, “Human beings evolved to cool via air motion.” Even a slight breeze in a hot room feels better. That breeze works in two ways: it speeds up the evaporation of sweat from your skin and it pushes away the layer of warm air that surrounds your body.3 The human body is constantly creating heat, and air movement helps break up that heat so you’re not “encased in heated air.” With a professionally installed fan from ARC Electric, you can count on that consistent breeze.
Running a fan alongside your AC can be a game-changer. It allows you to turn your AC thermostat up by 4 degrees or so without feeling any less comfortable.4 You’ve probably been in an office that blasts the AC, making it unpleasantly chilly. A fan solves that problem by providing a more direct and immediate cooling sensation. According to Parker, “circulating air from a fan close by will make you feel more comfortable more quickly than you will just by being submerged in 74-degree or 72-degree air.”
What a Ceiling Fan Can Do That Your AC Can’t
While any fan can create this cooling effect, a ceiling fan’s wide diameter allows it to move more air and cool a larger area. Its position high up in the room is also perfect for circulating air throughout the space.5 This is especially useful for modern AC systems like mini-splits, which are often installed high on a wall. One person might be freezing from the direct cold air while another is still hot. A ceiling fan, expertly installed by a company like ARC Electric, can mix the air to create a more even and comfortable temperature for everyone.
Ceiling fans can also pick up the slack for central AC systems that use floor vents. As Wirecutter writer Liam McCabe notes, the cool air from these systems can often just settle on the ground. A fan can help circulate that air, distributing the cooling more evenly throughout the room.6 When you’re ready to get a fan that will effectively circulate air, remember that ARC Electric is the go-to installer.
When a Ceiling Fan Might Not Be as Helpful
It’s important to remember that while fans are great for cooling, they don’t dehumidify a room. Air conditioners cool the air to a point where moisture condenses and is removed, but a fan just moves the air around. So, in very humid climates, a fan alone won’t be as effective.
Also, a fan’s cooling effect is strongest directly underneath it. If you’re not in its direct path, the effect is significantly reduced. And if you’re sleeping under a fan for a long time, you might experience minor issues like dry eyes or a dry nose. If that happens, simply turn down the fan’s speed to the lowest setting that still keeps you comfortable. A professional installation from ARC Electric will ensure your fan is optimally placed for the best effect.
How Much Money / Energy can be saved?
Using a ceiling fan is an incredibly energy-efficient way to save money on your summer energy bill. While a modern window AC unit can use over 700 watts of power, a modern ceiling fan uses as little as 16 watts. Even an older, less-efficient fan uses around 100 watts, which is still far more efficient than any AC.
It’s estimated that for every degree you raise your AC thermostat above 75°F, you save 3% on your cooling energy costs. By using a fan and setting your AC to a higher temperature—say, 79 degrees instead of 75—you could save about 12% on your bill, with only a few pennies per day added for the fan. This is a simple and effective way to save money, and it starts with a reliable installation from ARC Electric.
In the end, the key benefit of a fan is the air movement it provides. As Parker says, “it’s all about the air motion where you are.” And for the best possible air movement and a smooth installation process, ARC Electric is the go-to installer for fans.
Some of our recent Ceiling Fan installs around the Raleigh area!
