Most people only think of ceiling fans for summer use, when in fact there are many benefits to using them in the winter.  In any given room there are layers of air with varying degrees of temperature; the warmest air  is near the ceiling.  In the winter months you should run your ceiling fan in a clockwise direction.  This pushes warm air up against the ceiling and then down the walls, gently recirulating warm air through the room without causing a chilling breeze.  This technique has been proven to lower home heating costs by as much as 10%.  Ceiling fans can bring numerous energy saving benefits to your home.  Most ceiling fans use only about as much power as a 100 watt light bulb.  When used properly, ceiling fans can save you money in utility bills in both the winter and summer months.

For 2011, manufacturers are concentrating on producing ceiling fans that offer better energy efficiency and quieter operation. In order to achieve these goals, most manufacturers are offering more choices utilizing DC motors.

DC Motors have several advantages over the traditional AC motors commonly found in previous generations of ceiling fans.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

DC fan motors use less than 30% of the energy of a standard fan motor.  In fact, three DC fan motors running at high speed use the same energy as one 100 watt light bulb!  This, of course, leads to smaller energy bills.  If several thousand homes switched to fans with DC motors, it could lead to considerably less strain on power grids during the summer months.

In order to rotate the motor housing, traditional ceiling fans use electricity to magnetize the motor.  DC motors are permanently pre-magnetized, so no power is wasted in this process.  This is the major reason for the difference in energy expenditure between AC and DC motors.

COOLER OPERATION

Less wattage equals less heat.  Less heat equals less stress on the motor, which leads to considerably longer, more reliable operation.

EASIER INSTALLATION

DC fan motors have the wall/handheld control receiver directly on the motor housing.  This allows the manufacturer to construct the fan with a 3-wire configuration.  Older fans have the receiver near the ceiling, requiring a 6-wire setup.  Electricians will find DC fans quicker and easier to install.

Most fan manufacturers have introduced many contemporary and traditional fan styles for 2011.  Leading the way is Kichler, one of the most trusted manufacturers in residential and commercial lighting products.

One affordable way to stay cool in the summer heat is to install ceiling fans.

“The best way to understand the benefits is to do a few simple calculations,” Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the American Lighting Association, said in a news release.

If the ambient air temperature is 80 degrees F, your body will feel as if it is 72 degrees F if you’re seated under a ceiling fan. In fact, most ceiling fans can make a room feel 10 degrees cooler.

Have you ever wondered what size ceiling fan to buy?

To get maximum comfort and energy savings, it is necessary to choose the correct size fan for a room.  Blade span is the key.  A fan that is too small or too big for your room may look awkward.  A fan that is too small probably will not move enough air and a fan that is too big might overpower the room.  We recommend the following:

• Large Rooms – For rooms up to 225 square feet (15′ x 15′) and larger, use a fan with a blade span of 50″, 52″, 54″, or 56″.
• Medium Room – In rooms up to 144 square feet (12′ x 12′) we recommend fans with blade spans of 42″ or 44″.
• Small Rooms – Rooms up to 64 square feet (8′ x 8′) should use a fan with a 32″ blade span.

Now is the best time ever to buy a ceiling fan because Creative Lighting is offering 10% off all ceiling fans to our social media customers. Click here to “Follow” us on Twitter and click here to “Like us on Facebook.

Ceiling fans — a technology used by our grandparents — are an effective and relatively inexpensive way to feel more comfortable. Energy Starfan-light combinations use about the same amount of electricity as a light bulb and are about 50 percent more energy efficient than conventional fans. In addition, according to the ceiling fan industry, “Using a ceiling fan creates a wind chill effect that can make you feel up to 8 degrees cooler than the air around you.” However, fans cool people, not rooms, so turn them off when you leave a room or you’ll be wasting electricity.

Save money right now at Creative Lighting with our “buy one fan at regular price, get one clearance fan free” promotion going on for our Twitter followers.  All you have to do is click here to follow us on Twitter and print out the coupon when you bring it into the store.  Please contact us if you have any questions.

The heart of every ceiling fan is the motor. The motor is responsible for producing quiet operation while driving the blades for air movement. Look for high-quality motors with heavy-duty windings and sealed bearings that are permanently lubricated. Smaller, less powerful motors found on lower quality fans may produce higher operating temperatures, lower air circulation and noisier operation.

Motors come in several sizes to create the appropriate airflow. A room that has a high vaulted ceiling, as well as being roughly 200 square feet or larger, would benefit from a heavier duty motor. A heavy duty motor will provide excellent airflow to accommodate the larger space.

A superior motor will provide excellent heat dissipation, maximize torque at high speeds, ensure lasting performance through quality copper wiring; all while keeping the fan performing quietly and wobble free. A lifetime motor warranty is not uncommon on high quality motors.

Recently, Eco friendly motors have been introduced to the market providing high quality motors along with high efficiency.

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It’s that time of year when we start thinking of summer and the warm days ahead. Before you know it we’ll be thinking of ways to beat the heat.  A ceiling fan is a great way to cool a room and also add a decorative element. Of course, there are some general guidelines when choosing a fan.  Ceiling fans should generally be centered in the room, with the edge of the blade no closer than 18″ from the wall. For optimal cooling, fans should  be suspended 8′ or 9′ above the floor. In spaces with low ceilings, fan blades should not be lower than 7′.  (Hugger style fans or low ceiling adapters work well in this situation.)  Here are some helpful hints:

These guidelines should help in the selection of your fan, now you just have to pick your favorite!

Here are some great ceiling fan options: Ceiling Fans

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