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If you’re a native Floridian, chances are that you’ve traveled up north and gasped to find a serious lack of ceiling fans. How do they sleep? The air feels so stuffy!
And if you’re new to Florida, you may have been surprised to find that almost every room contains a fan, and many people run them non-stop.
It’s true… Floridians are obsessed with fans, sometimes as much as their HVAC system. But are you getting the most from your fans? Here are four things to consider:
Let’s bust a myth
Did you know that fans don’t actually cool rooms? In fact, their motors may slightly raise the temperature. That’s right. Fans don’t cool rooms, they cool people. Howstuffworks explains:
By blowing air around, the fan makes it easier for the air to evaporate sweat from your skin, which is how you eliminate body heat. The more evaporation, the cooler you feel.
The Department of Energy has found that the use of a ceiling fan with air conditioning allows you to raise the thermostat about 4 degrees and maintain the same level of comfort. That’s significant!
But strategic placement is essential. The fan only works if its breeze hits your skin. So ceilings are the best spot for fans, followed by box and oscillating fans that are pointed directly at the people in the room (such as a desk or couch where you sit frequently).
And this is why you should turn fans off when you leave a room. Without bodies to cool, they are only running up your power bill.
This one might make you feel dumb
Did you know that you’re supposed to change the direction of your ceiling fan based on the season? If you didn’t know this, you’re not alone! Thankfully it’s a simple fix. Home Serve explains in this video:
Bigger is better
It might sound obvious, but larger ceiling fans move more air than smaller ones. And it’s the same with the size of the fan blade. Bigger is better. The diameter of the fan matters too.
The Department of Energy offers these recommendations:
A 36- or 44-inch diameter fan will cool rooms up to 225 square feet, while fans that are 52 inches or more should be used in larger rooms. Multiple fans work best in rooms longer than 18 feet. Small- and medium-sized fans will provide efficient cooling in a 4- to 6-foot diameter area, while larger fans are effective up to 10 feet.
Keep it clean
In the same way that you keep your air conditioning filters clean to allow maximum air movement, you need to keep your ceiling fans clean. Florida is notorious for dust accumulation. Grab one of these handy fan blade cleaners and make this quick chore a part of your monthly cleaning routine. Plus, your fan won’t sling dust around the room, adding to mess and allergies.
At Veteran Air, we are passionate about helping you stay cool in the Florida heat. If you have questions about how to cool your home more efficiently, we would love to talk. Give us a call at 352-609-2682, visit our site or email us at [email protected].