The Benefits of a Ceiling Fan

A ceiling fan is an inexpensive but very important addition to your home in many ways. It can bring and circulate air in areas of the house that tend to be dark and stagnant. Perhaps more importantly, a ceiling fan can help conserve energy by lowering the temperature in the house during the summer and allowing the central air-conditioning to be set several degrees higher. Consider these benefits offered by ceiling fans.

• Cost savings. Ceiling fans in the large rooms of your home can make it feel between 3 to 8 degrees cooler, according to energy conservation experts. That means you can set your air-conditioning to well above 80 degrees in the summer without feeling the true effects of that temperature. It has been estimated that ceiling fans can reduce a home's cooling cost in the summer by as much as 40 percent. If your fan has a reverse setting, you can run your fan in the winter and save approximately 10 percent on your heating costs by forcing the cooler air in a room toward the floor.
• Low cost addition. The cooling benefits of a ceiling fan during the heat of a blistering summer comes at very little cost. Ceiling fans sell for as little as $40, with top quality models in a general range between $100 and $200. Additionally, ceiling fans are extremely inexpensive to operate, with a cost equal to a 75-watt light bulb.
• Easy installation. Many people are able to install a ceiling fan by themselves, but even if the installation is more complicated and requires the help of an electrician, it is a fairly simple job that won't be too expensive.
• Stylish looks. Ceiling fans are available in a nearly endless variety of styles to fit virtually any taste, from an old-fashioned wooden look to fans in virtually any color imaginable. Light attachments with fans add not only to the attractiveness but also to the utility of the fan, which can act as the main source of light in a den or living room.

A ceiling fan offers a number of advantages for a homeowner looking to save on energy costs while relying on a fairly low-cost alternative that comes in a variety of styles that can help complement the décor of virtually any home. Be sure that you have several fans spaced out evenly in a home that are properly installed between 7 and 9 feet above the floor and about a foot below the ceiling to maximize the benefits of the blade action of the ceiling fan.