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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.