Attached are reprints of a couple of articles that describe in general terms how valuable fans, particularly the ceiling variety, can be in lowering your electricity bill in the summer months. I think you will agree with me that they are worth the investment and can pay themselves off in a few months in in our climate. Hope these ideas are helpful to you.
Ceiling Fans vs. Air Conditioning
I found several sites that list different amounts but from what I can tell is it is pretty inexpensive to operate ceiling fans. Lowest cost is 1.25 to 2-3 cents an hour-- About $5.00 a month....worth it to me!
Ceiling fans are extremely efficient and can cost as little as 2 or 3 cents per hour to operate. Compare this to about 50 cents per hour for central air and you can see there is a lot of money to be saved by using ceiling fans. Of course these numbers will vary depending on your location, but it puts the proportional cost of running air conditioning versus ceiling fans into perspective.
Certainly you will save the most money if you do not run your central air at all, and instead run a ceiling fan in the rooms in which you spend your time. However, this is not always a practical solution since ceiling fans do not actually reduce the temperature in your home, they only give you a wind chill effect if you are in their close proximity. So in very warm climates, using just your ceiling fans may not give you the comfort level you are used to with air conditioning. If you don’t have air conditioning, ceiling fans will at least give you a good level of relief…particularly if you open some windows in your house to allow for maximum air circulation.
Circulating fans include ceiling fans, table fans, floor fans and fans mounted to poles or walls. These devices create a wind chill effect that will make you more comfortable in your home, even if it's cooled by natural ventilation or air conditioning. Ceiling fans are considered the most effective of these devices.
If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees F with no reduction in comfort. During moderately hot weather, ceiling fans will allow you to avoid using your air conditioner altogether. Install a fan in each room that needs to be cooled during hot weather.
Ceiling fans are only appropriate in rooms with ceilings at least eight feet high. Fans work best when the blades are seven to nine feet above the floor and 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling. Fans should be installed so the blades are no closer than eight inches from the ceiling and 18 inches from the walls.
Larger ceiling fans can move more air than smaller ones. a 36 or 44 inch diameter fan will cool rooms up to 225 square feet, while fans that are 52 inch or more should be used in larger rooms. Multiple fans work best in rooms longer than 18 feet. Small and medium sized fans will will provide efficient cooling in a four to six foot diameter area, while larger ones are effective up to 10 feet. . . . When buying fans, look for the Energy Star label. Fans that earn the label move air 20 percent more efficiently, on average, than standard models.
