How to Slash Your Electric Bill
with an Electric Fan
During the summer months, many Americans turn to
their air conditioners for cooling comfort. However, did you know
that home heating and cooling systems can account for over half of a
household's energy bill, with air conditioning systems being the
most costly? Furthermore, to add insult to injury, energy costs are
expected to climb, but instead of having to deal with that sky-high
electric bill or worse yet, having to suffer through the stifling
heat, a better solution is to find an alternative cooling solution.
Although often seen as a primitive and maybe even ineffective method
of cooling, the humble
electric fan can actually provide substantial savings over the
course of one summer - up to 25 percent! Instead of reaching for
your air conditioner, consider the underrated electric fan, as it
uses dramatically less energy than an AC, costs less to buy, is
simple to install, and actually cools like a charm when used
correctly and in the right circumstances.
Electric fans are electrically-powered appliances used to produce
airflow for the purposes of creating environmental comfort,
ventilation, or any other type of gaseous transport. Most electric
fans are of the axial type, and these have the ubiquitous blades
that move parallel to the shaft about which these blades rotate. In
order to provide cooling, axial fans blow air cross the axis, and
these can range from the small desktop fans to even the gigantic
fans used in window tunnels.
For those who are still skeptical about how an electrical fan can
save you money on your energy bill, consider this: moving air helps
you feel cooler. As such, ceiling fans and box fans can help fulfill
your need for air conditioning at a much lower cost, and this
results in energy savings. Below are some ways you can use an
electric fan to your advantage when it comes to energy efficiency:
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Use Your
Electric Fan in Conjunction with Your Air Conditioner |
If you're still wary of giving up your trusted AC,
or if you live in an especially hot climate, consider using
your electric fan as a way to supplement your air
conditioner. Fans help reduce energy costs by circulating
cool air from your AC, and this allows you to
raise the temperature on your thermostat and still be comfortable. In fact, an
electric fan can make your environment feel three to four
degrees cooler and cost only a half-cent per hour to
operate. For greater circulation, try using some of
oscillating fan such a
ceiling fan for even greater
circulation.
Tip: Since fans are effective at cooling people as opposed
to specific areas, make sure you use them when a room is
occupied.
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Electric Fan Tip:
Since fans are
effective at cooling people as opposed to specific
areas, make sure you use them in an occupied room.
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| Invest in a
Ceiling Fan |
Ceiling fans not only add decorative beauty to your
home, they can also be an important energy saver. Like any
electric fan, a ceiling fan used to supplement your air
conditioner will save you energy because it will permit you
to turn up your thermostat. With that said, for every degree
you raise on your thermostat, you can save anywhere from 7
to 10 percent on cooling costs. As well, the air movement
produced by the ceiling fan helps evaporate moisture on the
skin which provides a cooling sensation. In fact, another
great benefit to using a ceiling fan is that it can actually
be used year-round. In the winter, set the fan to blow
toward the ceiling, as this pushes warm air away from the
ceiling and evenly distributes heat in the room. In turn,
this will save you money on your home heating bill during
the cooler months!
For even more energy savings, purchase a ceiling fan that
has earned the ENERGY STAR rating, as this will move air up
to 20 percent more efficiently than standard ceiling fans.
This can save you from $15-25 per year on utility bills,
plus any additional air conditioning or heating savings you
may gain when your fan is operating properly. |
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Try a Whole
House Fan |
Whole house fans are large, powerful fans
usually 20-48 inches in diameter with a one-quarter to
one-half horsepower motor. They typically use about
one-tenth the energy of an air conditioner with comparable
cooling power, and they are inexpensive to install. They are
usually mounted in areas such as a hallway ceiling or attic
and help ventilate your entire home. Again, when used correctly, they can be extremely energy
efficient. However, before turning on a whole house fan, be
sure to open some windows, as this type of fan pulls air in
from open windows and releases it through the attic and
room. In addition, opened windows ensure adequate airflow
and also speeds up the time needed to cool the room.
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Electric Fan Tip:
Because whole house fans will continue to draw
air out of the house and replace it with outdoor
air year-round, don't forget to cover and
insulate the unit in the winter. |
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| Proper Fan
Maintenance is Key |
Don't forget to properly maintain your electric fan and
keep it in good working order. Check your fan manufacturer's
recommendations for care and maintenance, as this will
further help control operating costs. |
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Calculate
Operating Costs |
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When shopping for an electric fan or any other type
of home appliance, it's easy to estimate appliance energy
consumption by following this formula below:
Wattage x
Hours Used Per Day / 1000 = Daily Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
Consumption
(1 kilowatt [kw] = 1000 watts)
Multiply the number of days you're planning to use the
appliance during the year to estimate the annual
consumption; then calculate the annual cost by multiplying
the kWh per year by your local utility's rate per kWh
consumed. Here's an example of a 200 watt window fan
used 4
hours a day for 120 days per year with a utility rate of 8.5
cents per kWh:
Window Fan:
(200 Watts x 4 hours/day x 120 days/year) / 1000
= 96 kWh x 8.5 cents/kWh
= $8.16 per year |
Electric Fan Buying Guide Main Page
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