Cool savings from a ceiling fan
Summer’s heat is here, which means air conditioners are kicking into high gear and that means increased energy bills. However, you can save a buck by choosing the right ceiling fan can. It can help cool off that overheated electric bill. Did you know that ceiling fans do not actually lower the temperature in a room? They cool you off by creating a draft that moves air over your skin.
Ceiling fans cost very little to run, and when used with your air conditioner, you can actually raise the thermostat by about 2 degrees Celsius and feel just as cool. Fans with the Energy Star label are 60 per cent more efficient compared to conventional fan/light units.
To optimize the power of your fan, hang it high. They work best when the blades are seven to nine feet above the floor and 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling. If your ceiling is very high, use a down rod to bring it to the right height. The most popular fan size is 52 inches. They are best for large rooms, from 225 to 400 square feet. A fan that is 42 to 44 inches is effective in rooms from 144 to 225 square feet. If your room is borderline, opt for the larger fan and run it at a lower speed.
When it is time to install, if you are replacing a light fixture with a ceiling fan, check to ensure that the electric box can support the weight.
Your fan is going to gather dust and even pollen. To keep it clean, lay a sheet beneath it to protect furniture and floors, then, wipe the blades and housing gently with a damp cloth and all-purpose cleaner.
Remember that fans cool people, not rooms, so always turn them off when you leave. In addition, Consumer Reports says your energy savings does not end with using ceiling fans. Choosing an LED or CFL light will last longer, use less energy, and save you money.
Files from Consumer Reports
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.