With soaring temperatures, Australians are looking for more effective ways to keep their homes cool. If you don’t want to incur the costs of installing an HVAC unit, the good news is that you can still turn to the more traditional ceiling fans.
Not only is ceiling fan installation easier than ever before, but it’s also still an effective way to keep any room in your home a little cooler. Wondering if this option will work in your space? Keep reading for the answers.
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What is a Ceiling Fan?
Just about everyone remembers those traditional ceiling fans that your parents or grandparents had. Chunky fan blades were attached to the light fixtures and would swing around wildly as they cut through the hot air in the room. The older these fans got, the more they gave the impression that they were about to fly off the fixture at any minute.
Fortunately, modern ceiling fans have evolved into more streamed-lined cooling devices with sleeker blades, LED chips, timers, and remote controls. Advanced motor technology such as brushless direct current (BLDC) motors offer better airflow while at the same time using considerably less power.
Despite these advancements, the basic principles remain the same. The device is mounted on the ceiling, usually where the light fitting is, and uses rotating blades to circulate the air in a room. The unit doesn’t lower the air temperature the way an air conditioner would but rather moves the air around. Circulating the air helps to reduce sweating, which is what makes people feel cooler.
A Few Good Reasons Why Ceiling Fans Are Still a Good Choice
With the invention of superior cooling systems, it’s not uncommon to wonder why traditional ceiling fans are still around. There are a number of reasons why many people find that these now streamlined units are enough to circulate the air in their homes. We’ve compiled a list of these reasons.
1. Energy Efficiency
Ceiling fans were never designed to cool a room. Instead, cool air is moved around the space, breaking up hot pockets. If you have your windows open at the same time, you’ll find that it’s easier for the fan to circulate cooler air and in some instances helps to push warmer air out. This process uses considerably less electricity than an air conditioning unit, making it more energy efficient.
2. Allows for Use All Year
Another plus point of ceiling fans is that they aren’t just for warmer months when you need to move around cooler air. Opting for a modern ceiling fan means you can choose a model that boasts a reverse function.
Reversible motors work by changing the blades to rotate clockwise. Since hot air rises, the fan will be able to push the hot air downward into the room towards the floor. This process allows you to stay warm without needing to switch on a heater.
3. An Eco-friendlier Approach to Cooling
Anything that uses a considerable amount of electricity to run is ultimately doing more harm than good, especially to the environment. Using more energy equals a larger carbon footprint. You can avoid this by switching to a simple ceiling fan.
By breaking up the hot air in the space, your room will instantly feel cooler, reducing the need for excessive air conditioning units. It’s also not uncommon for people to combine ceiling fans with energy-efficient air conditioning. Doing this ensures that your air con unit doesn’t have to work as hard and you’re still able to stay cool.
4. More Cost-Effective
Installing a state-of-the-art air conditioning system can be costly, especially if you’re planning to cool a large home or office. Ceiling fans are generally cheaper to purchase, install, and run than heating and cooling systems.
They also require very little maintenance and there aren’t high ongoing operating costs. There’s no need to replace air filters or routine servicing. The only real maintenance is keeping the blades clean.
5. Can Increase Overall Comfort
A build-up of hot stuffy air in your space can be quite stifling. This is especially the case in areas with high humidity and no proper ventilation. Avoid feeling uncomfortable in your home by investing in ceiling fans that will help to keep the air circulating.
Even the smallest amount of ventilation in the space can help to make you feel cooler. By distributing the air more evenly, you are less likely to feel as though you’re sitting in a hot pocket, feeling stuffy and uncomfortable. Air circulation goes a long way toward creating a comfortable feeling in the space.
6. Wide Range of Styles
With an array of models, styles, colours, and designs, it’s super easy to find a ceiling fan that matches your current décor or design choices. You can also opt for ones with remote control to make operation as smooth and easy as possible.
Final Thoughts
Ceiling fans are still an effective way to circulate the hot air that builds up in a room. To effectively use these fans, keep the windows and doors open so that there is cooler air to circulate around. It’s an affordable way to beat the heat.
Alex is fascinated with “understanding” people. It’s actually what drives everything he does. He believes in a thoughtful exploration of how you shape your thoughts, experience of the world.