Is Your Ceiling Fan Upside Down?
In the weeks of high temps and sweltering humidity, everyone is looking for ways to keep the house cool, and electric bills low. If you have ceiling fans, now is the time to use them! But did you know there was a right and wrong way when it comes to ceiling fans?
Ceiling fans can be used without air condition to cause a breeze and provide some relief from the heat. In combination with air conditioning, they can improve the efficiency of the cooling system, especially in newer homes with soaring ceilings (if you have the settings set correctly for the season). You might not know about this switch and have it set upside down right now!
According to Garbe Industries Website, “Ceiling fans help cool you in the summer with a gentle downdraft creating a wind-chill effect. A temperature of 78° to 80° would feel like 72°, which allows you to set your thermostat higher. In the winter ceiling fans push heated air from the ceiling towards the floor, while providing a more even heat, even with your thermostat set lower. (Energy savings of up to 40% in summer cooling; up to 10% in winter heating; depending on climate) ”
The owners manual will say if your fan has a switch to reverse the direction of the fan. The switch is above the center section (where the blades attach) facing the ceiling, unseen if standing below) If it does, this is the trick to efficiency. According to Mr. Fix-It, Tom Feiza “To adjust air flow for summer cooling, start by fully opening all second floor dampers. Next, partially close dampers to first floor rooms that are getting lots of cold air. You will find that closing the damper to 50% or turning the shaft to 45 degrees will only partially slow the air flow. Often, even if you fully close the damper, there will still be air flow because the dampers fit very loosely in the ducts.
Closing first floor dampers will direct air to the second floor. Mark your damper settings for summer and winter once you have found the correct balance.” Ceiling fans set properly can assist by pushing the cold air DOWN to the first floor.
Most home owners don’t even know there is a switch on their ceiling fan. Check your manual and you may be able to improve the efficiency of the heating and cooling of your home just by having that switch set properly for the season.
This is just one tip on saving money. If you are looking to buy or sell a home, whether your first or a second home in the city or suburbs of greater Milwaukee, call me! I can provide many tips on saving money during the home buying or selling process.
Posted by: 
Pat Tasker
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