 Ceiling Fans Home
Ceiling Fan Questions and Answers
This is where you'll find answers to the most common questions regarding ceiling fans as well as a bit of history and some buying tips. If you cannot find the answer to your question here, visit our "Ask The Expert" forum where you can search through answers to questions people have asked us, or post your own question to our ceiling fan experts.
We have a seperate forum for posting questions and answers
Topics covered on this page:
How to Install a Ceiling Fan and How to Balance a Ceiling Fan
One of the most commonly asked questions people have when they visit this page is how to install a ceiling fan, or how to balance a wobbly ceiling fan. Although there is more information regarding this lower on this page, we have posted some do-it-yourselfer videos that have been very popular that show how to install a ceiling fan and how to balance a ceiling fan. Here are the links:
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Ceiling Fan Direction during Summer and Winter?
Directly from the Ceiling Fan Expert...
This answer has been awarded the number one answer at Yahoo! Answers on many occassions!
"OK...so the most common technical question that people ask regarding ceiling fans is "What direction should my fan spin during the summer and winter" and "Why?"
Quick Answer: I say quick answer, because this is a very generalized answer, which in many (or most) cases is not necessarily correct. But, I will state this answer first simply because it is what has been the industry wide answer for over 100 years.
During the summer you want the fan to blow air straight down, so your ceiling fan needs to run in a counter clockwise direction (as you look up at it). The warmer it is, the higher the speed should be. During the winter, your fan should run at a low speed in a clockwise direction...
But (and this is a big but), you need to read the info below to really understand this answer as the many exceptions that apply to this rule
Detailed answer regarding Ceiling Fan Direction
During the summer, you want the air blowing directly on you so you will feel cooler from the wind chill effect (which is how fans cool you off). So stand under the fan and turn it up on high speed. If you "Do Not" feel the air very well, then turn the fan off and flick the reverse toggle switch. Turn it back on high speed. If you feel more air, you have it in the right position. So whichever position you feel the most air movement when standing directly under the fan is the correct position for summer. If you do not feel much air in either direction, then your fan has a very weak motor with a relatively flat pitch to the blade. Fans like this won't do much good for you in either direction during the summer. If this is this case, you may wish to consider visiting a specialty fan dealer online to get a more powerful fan than the ones they sell at the home centers.
During the winter, it is the opposite. You do not want to feel the air movement from the fan blowing directly on you since this will make you feel cooler from the wind chill effect. So, again...stand under the fan and turn it up on high speed. Whichever mode you feel the least amount of air is the correct mode for winter. However, you want to operate the fan at a low speed during the winter, otherwise, even in the correct mode, you will still get some wind chill effect, which you do not want.
To set the matter straight about how fans work during the winter and summer:
During winter (in the correct mode as described above), the fan will slowly draw the cooler air from floor level directly below the fan upwards to the ceiling where it mixes with the warmer air. The air is then kicked out across the ceiling towards the walls as it comes down. This circulates the air giving you the least amount of direct air movement, which minimizes the wind chill effect.
During the summer, you want the maximum wind chill effect, so the main column of air that rushes straight down from the fan is what you will feel the most. However, if your fan is not directly over the area where you want to feel coolest, say your room is rather large with a fan in the middle and your couch closer to an outer wall, you might find yourself more comfortable if you run the fan at a high speed in the wrong direction because the wind chill effect will be more prominent further away from the fan closer to the walls.
One customer told me how he determined the best direction to operate his fans. He turned on a bubble machine in his home and watched where the bubbles went. To this day, I think this is the most ingenious answer I’ve heard to the question."
Here are some exceptions to the rule as well as some great tips and tricks you can perform with your ceiling fan!
How about a card trick! OK, just kidding...but seriously, if you are playing cards at a table that is beneath a ceiling fan during the summer and you want the fan to cool you off without blowing the cards off the table, then turn your fan in reverse (clockwise) and run it on the highest speed. This will cause the fan to draw the air up from the table and blow it around your back side.
Dining Rooms: How about over a table when you are eating? Same thing as playing cards or doing anything else at your table. Running the fan in reverse will help keep the fan from cooling off your food while gently throwing a breeze towards the walls and backup toward your backside. You might notice that in many restaraunts, the fans are running in clockwise motion. I don't know who told the restaraunt owners to do this, but I amazingly find that more often than not, they are doing this correctly. This must be an inside secret in the restaraunt business.
Bedrooms: Well, some people do not like the feeling of air blowing directly on them and cannot sleep, so my suggestion is to run the fan on a higher speed in reverse so you do not feel so much direct air movement. You will sleep better and get more comfort from your fan. I myself love to feel the air movement, so I blast mine in forward so the air blows right down on me.
Large Rooms: So you have a large room and wisely decided to install 2 ceiling fans. You might want to experiment with the fans during the summer by operating them on high speed in forward, reverse, and oposite directions. Depending on where your seating is in the room, a combination of directions may actuall hit that spot the best by creating a unique vortex in the air flow. The bubble trick I mentioned previously is great for testing this!
Outdoors: OK, so you have your fan outdoors. I will assume that you are pretty much going to be using the fan only during the summer. So, all of the above rules apply...such as over a table when playing cards or doing paperwork. However, an additional benefit of having a ceiling fan outdoors over a table is that you can use the fan to keep bugs away by turning it up on high speed in forward (counter clockwise). The compromise here is that it will cool your food off. Keep in mind that for this to work, you need a ceiling fan that has a motor powerful enough to create a column of air strong enough to ward off those pesky flies and yellow jackets. Not all fans will do this well, so make sure to ask for a fan with a powerful motor if you wish for your outdoor fan to perform this task. You will be much more pleased with the comfort level the fan produces anyway, so it's worth spending a bit more for the best quality outdoor fan you can afford. Here are links to 4 excellent outdoor fans:
Smokers: OK, so if you or someone in your family (or a guest) smokes inside your house...you need to run your ceiling fans in reverse to draw the smoke up towards the ceiling and out towards the walls away from you and your guests. Although the speed at which you should run your fan depends on how powerful the fan is as well as how large the room is, my suggestion for this application is medium speed for the average ceiling fan. This is a common application in cigar lounges where they use this technique combined with exhaust vents in the ceiling to pull the smoke out of the area.
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Ceiling Fan Basics
Throughout history,
no other appliance can match a ceiling fan's combination of outward beauty,
functional effectiveness, and dependability. A quality ceiling fan increases
the beauty of any home or apartment while making a significant energy
savings contribution . When selecting a ceiling fan several frequently
asked questions emerge concerning how to make an intelligent selection
while enhancing the surrounding beauty and controlling air movement for room
dimensions and comfort. Hansen Wholesale invites you to explore the world of
ceiling fans while learning how to ensure your next purchase of ceiling fans
are investments that will return many rewards.
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What to look for in a ceiling fan!
For some great info on which ceiling fans are best, visit our Which fans are best page.
The primary function of
ceiling fans is to move air so you feel more comfortable, cooler in summer and
warmer in winter, while utilizing minimal energy to achieve this. But not all ceiling fans are created equal. All fans move "some" air.
How much air is circulated, how efficiently, with how much
annoying wobble or noise, as well as how long a fan will last are questions wise consumers
should ask before selecting a ceiling fan. Higher quality is measured in more
than just dollars and cents. At first glance all fans may appear to look
alike...but they're not! There are some major internal differences that have a huge impact on the performance and longevity of various ceiling fans. Here are some things to look for and compare before
purchasing a ceiling fan:
Why inexpensive ceiling fans may be noisy
Inexpensive fans
generally lack proper noise-reducing components such as isolation rings and
rubber cushions between metal parts. These special noise silencers help stop
the transference of noise through the fan to the ceiling where it is
magnified. Inexpensive fans usually do not have these components because they
add extra costs to manufacturing. Noise is generated because the fan in
general is poorly engineered and manufactured using short-cuts.
Why pooly made ceiling fans break down
A common cause of
breakdown in inferior fans is the on/off pull chain switch. The generic switches used in low end fans are proned to failure because they use less expensive materials that cannot handle every day use. The internal mechanism can
simply break or the switch chain may be pulled out of the housing. Often times, when a pull chain switch breaks in an inexpensive fan, the entire fan becomes useless because a replacement switch is most likely not available. We do not carry fans that do not have replacement parts available.
The motor is important
For a fan
to operate efficiently and effectively, the motor size must be engineered to
match the blade pitch and blade length. Inexpensive fans may have inadequate
size motors which can cause over-heating and motor burn-out. In many
instances, lower quality fans may not have enough blade pitch to effectively
move air. The greater the blade pitch, the more movement of air... but
remember, the greater the pitch, the greater the need for a larger motor!
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Why Ceiling Fans?
Aesthetic appearance of
quality workmanship, the silent, rhythm of motion, and the economic benefits
in heating make the ceiling fan one of the world's most useful appliances. It
may seem odd to call a ceiling fan an appliance. It doesn't make coffee, sew a
dress, or cook. But by definition an appliance is an instrument, apparatus, or
device developed for a particular use. The fan fits. The ceiling fan enhances
our environment and adds comfort. It meets a need.
Very few items found in
the home can match a ceiling fan's combination of outward beauty, functional
effectiveness, and dependability. A quality ceiling fan increases the beauty
of any home or apartment. It can also lower heating and cooling bills which
makes a ceiling fan an investment that pays for itself. Ceiling fans make air
behave, and a properly directed and main air flow can have either a cooling or
warming effect. Everyone experienced the cooling effects of a light breeze. As
air moves across, it evaporates body moisture, making one feel cooler and more
comfortable. With a ceiling fan generating cooling breezes in your home, you
can set your air conditioning thermostat at a higher, more economical level.
You save money without sacrificing comfort.
Ceiling fans are more
than a cooling device. It can also more effectively distribute heat throughout
your home. Warm air rises, cool air can become trapped near floor level. This
accumulation of air layers can be a problem during colder months, in rooms
with high or domed ceilings. A ceiling fan breaks up the cool and warm layers,
making the overall room temperature uniform. By simply flipping a switch to
reverse the fan's normal, warm air is moved across the ceiling and down the
walls. This distributes room heat without creating a cooling draft. The result
is that warm air is where you need it - at the level you live in, not on the
ceiling. So, in winter you can lower your furnace thermostat by several
degrees, again saving energy dollars. Ceiling fans can also guarantee proper
airflow in solar and other alternative fuel heating environments. The
noiseless operation and variable running speeds make ceiling fans an
unobtrusive, efficient and beautiful appliance.
Why do consumers purchase ceiling fans?
Ceiling fans are
purchased for three main reasons:
1) Cooling
2) Heat Reclamation
3) Fashion
COOLING
The idea of "Wind
Chill".
A ceiling fan moves
counter-clockwise to cool and provides a breeze that makes the air feel
cooler, even through they don't actually lower the temperature. With a ceiling
fan working, 78 or 80 degrees can be as comfortable as 72 degrees--leading to
big energy savings.
This savings could add
up to as much as 40% during the summer. Even at high speed, a ceiling fan
typically uses less energy than a 100 watt light bulb .. and less than a 25
watt bulb at low speed.
HEAT RECLAMATION
Warm air rises, so the
warmest air is trapped near the ceiling and wasted. Set on its lowest speed IN
REVERSE-- so there will be no wind chill effect-the ceiling fan pushes warm
air down from the ceiling. In effect, homeowners reclaim lost heat--and lost
heating dollars. You can turn the thermostat down and save up to 10% on
heating bills while keeping the home warm and comfortable.
Fans move clockwise to
move warm air down from ceiling.
FASHION
Ceiling Fans also
enhance the character of any room or home. With the variety of styles and
models available today, finding one to fit your decor is easy. Ceiling fans
add that extra "finished" decorative touch that helps make a
beautiful statement in any room.
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What to do if your ceiling fan wobbles
There are several things that can cause a ceiling fan to wobble
- Loose junction box
- Loose mounting hardward or blade holders
- Bent blade holders
- Warped blades
- Blades that are out of balance
- Poor quality ceiling fan
Better quality fans don't normally wobble.
For a fan to perform
efficiently it is very important that the blades be flat throughout and that each blade weighs the same. Better quality ceiling fan
manufacturers use various techniques to keep warpage to a minimum.
"Balanced" blades; that is, blades that are electronically matched
at the factory (usually by hand); are sold as balanced sets of four or five blades, depending on the
design of the fan. This, combined with the use of precision made components such as the blade holders and motor rotars, help insure that more expensive fans will not wobble when they are newly installed. Cheaper brands do not go through this process, so it is likely that the blades are either warped or do not weigh the same as each other, so lesser quality fans will almost always need to be balanced even when they are newly installed.
Most people simply try to balance their fan with a blade balancing kit if their fan wobbles. This can be a frustrating challenge because often times, a combination of the above problems is what causes a fan to wobble. So we recommend going through the following dyagnostics before you actually use a blade balancing kit. This will make your life much easier when it comes to balancing your fan. You might even find that your problem has been eliminated before you ever balance your fan. Ultimately, your fan will operate safer, perform better and be much easier to balance if all of these things are first checked.
Make sure your junction box is secure
Remove the canopy from the top of the fan at the ceiling and try to wiggle the junction box to see if it is not loose. If it is secured properly, you should not be able to move it. If the junction box is loose, you will need to reinforce it. If you have an attic above the ceiling fan, you can reinforce the junction box simply by nailing a 2x4 between the joists above the junction box and then screw the junction box into the 2x4. There are special expandable fan brackets available for applications where there is no attic space. To install one of these, you will need to remove the existing junction box from the ceiling. Slip the expandable fan brace up through the hole in the ceiling, then twist it so that it expands until it is wedged between the joists. There is hardware supplied that will enable you to attach the j-box to the fan brace.
Make sure all screws are tight
Your ceiling fan may be wobbling simply because there are some lose screws somewhere. Be sure all screws attaching your fan to the ceiling are tight. For fans other than hugger fans, there is usually a ball at the top of the downrod that fits into a bracket that is mounted to the ceiling. This ball will normally have some type of set screw that keeps it tight. Make sure that the set screw is tight and that the ball does not wiggle on the end of the downrod. If it does, this could be your problem. If the fan does not come with a set screw, then it was poorly designed and you may not be able to solve your wobbling problem. However, you should continue through all of these steps anyway.
Be sure that the screws holding the blade holders to the fan motor are tight, as well as the screws that hold the blades to the blade holders. These screws are the most common to get loose. Although this is not a problem with most better quality fans, some of the cheaper fans seem to have a chronic problem with blade screws, so if yours are loose, you should check them regularly just to be safe (so you don't end up with a blade flying off).
Check for bent blade irons
Hold a yard stick near the end of a blade and measure the distance from the bottom edge of the blade to the ceiling. Rotate the fan one blade at a time checking them at the same point. You might notice that one or two of the blades hang lower than the rest. This indicates that you either have warped blades or a bent blade iron. You can visually inspect the blades by standing on a ladder and looking at them down the length. Warped blades or bent blade holders are a common cause for wobbling ceiling fans.
If you suspect that you have warped blades or bent blade irons, we suggest that you remove the blades from the fan by loosening the screws that hold the blade holders to the motor. This way you can remove the blade holders from the blades once you take them down and then perform the next two checks.
First, stack all of the blades on top of each other. You will easily notice if one or more are warped. If they are warped more than 1/4", then you may want to consider trying to replace them, although you will need to find the correct blades to fit your blade holders (you can call us for help).
Next, stack all of the blade holders on top of each other to see if any of them are bent. Be sure to line up the base of the blade holders so you can check the angle that each blade holder (blade iron) is bent to. They all should be the same. If one or more are obviously different, you can attempt to bend them back, but you must be careful since some of the cheaper fans use pot metal for these parts and they can break easily. Finding replacement blade holders is difficult or impossible for cheaper fans, but not so much for the more the higher quality fans. Give us a call to see if replacement blade holders are available for your fan if need be.
Once you have checked the blades and blade holders, put them back on your fan and tighting the screws. If you discovered warped blades or bent blade irons and were not able to fix them, at least now you know if you cannot balance your fan with a balancing kit, there is a reason why.
This ends the diagnostic portion of fixing a wobbly ceiling fan. If your fan still wobbles after performing the above maintainence, then the next step is to use a ceiling fan balancing kit.
To Balance your Fan Using a Balancing Kit
View our How To Balance a Ceiling Fan Video
You can pick up a ceiling fan balancing kit at most home centers and some hardware stores. If you cannot find one locally, give us a call and we should be able to get you one. The ceiling fan blade balancing kit should consist of a plactic weighted clip and some lead weights that have double stick tape on them. The clip is the same weight as the lead weights and is simply used to locate the blades that are out of balance. Once the out of balance blade (or blades) is found, you will need to stick a lead weight on the top middle of the blade in the same position you had the clip. Here is a more detailed description of how to balance a ceiling fan.
1. To balance
the blades, run the fan on high speed, down draft.
2. Before using
balance kit, switch positions of 2 adjacent blades ( replace blade 'a' where
blade 'b' was and put blade 'b' where blade 'a' was. ) If this improves the
balance of fan, leave as is and proceed to step 3. If this makes balance
worse, change blades back and proceed to step 3.
3. With the fan
stationary, attach the balancing clip firmly on the leading edge of one blade
halfway between at&127 the outer edge of the blade and the blade bracket.
4. Run the fan
and observe the wobble. Stop the fan and move the clip to the next blade.
Again run the fan and observe the wobble. Repeat this for all blades.
5. Move the clip
back to the blade where you noticed the least wobble. This time attach the
clip to the leading edge of the blade near the blade bracket, run the fan and
observe the wobble. Stop the fan and move the clip outward toward the end of
the blade in small increments until you find the position where the fan runs
best.
6. Peel the
protective paper off of one of the self adhesive weight strips, and stick it
firmly on the top of the blade along the center line, opposite the clip.
Remove the clip and start the fan. If the fan wobble was not completely
stopped, you may be able to further improve it by repeating all of the above
steps. Adding another weight to whichever blade is indicated by your second
test, in addition to the one you put on the first time, may solve the wobbling
problem.
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Maintaining your ceiling fans
An anti-static agent
can be used, but no cleaning agents which can damage the finish.
An occasional coat of
furniture polish may be applied to the wood protection. Polish will also
enhance the wood.
Never saturate a cloth
with water to clean your ceiling fan. Water introduces the possibility of
electrical shock and blade warpage. Always be certain the fan control is in
the off position before attempting to clean.
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Can a ceiling fan improve comfort in almost every room in the home? ...YES!
Bedrooms - There
are many nights when the air conditioning can simply be turned off
providing greater energy savings with no loss of comfort.
Bathrooms -
Eliminates mildew by drying towels and showers quickly. This is a perfect
application for a ceiling fan, even though bathrooms are often quite
small.
Kitchens - Quickly
disperses heat, smoke, and short span blades for these rooms. cooking
odors making the kitchen more pleasant for the cook.
Recreation Rooms -
Keeps active people comfortable without adjusting the air conditioning and
thereby upsetting temperatures else where in the home.
Living Rooms -
Maintains even temperatures by dispersing heat from windows. Also
disperses cigarette smoke and heat from large gatherings.
Sunrooms and
Atriums - Circulates and distributes solar heated air throughout the home
and-reduces the risk of overheating sensitive plants.
Dining Room - By
using medium speed upward airflow, diners can be kept comfortable in the
typically smaller area without cooling the meal.
Rooms with
Fireplaces - Circulates and distributes heated air through other parts of
the home reducing furnace usage.
Vaulted Ceiling
Rooms - Eliminates heat stratification for improved winter comfort and
reduced energy bills.
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Energy Saving Tips
For Energy Efficient Ceiling Fans, check out "Energy Star Ceiling Fans"
Conservation has become
a way of life in America. Since the gas crunch in the mid-1970s, Americans
have learned that wasting energy is wasting money. Yet not all suggested
methods are practical, and some just do not work. True conservation is not
found in a series of quick cure tips, such as occasionally turning off a light
switch or making sure the refrigerator door is sealed. Often, these practices
save so little money they seem to waste the effort it takes to perform them.
If you are interested in saving substantial amounts of energy, you should
consider energy conservation investments. Investments that result in no loss
of personal comfort yet add to the value of a home.
Ceiling fans are a
solid energy saving investment for the added beauty and elegance to any
setting that no other method can match, and will be a valuable part of any
home energy conservation.
Ceiling fans make air
behave. A properly directed fan that directs the main air flow can have either
a cooling or warming effect. Everyone has experienced the cooling effects of a
light breeze. As air moves across, it evaporates body moisture, making one
feel cooler and more comfortable. With a ceiling fan generating cooling
breezes in your home, you can set your air conditioning thermostat at a
higher, more economical level. You save money without sacrificing comfort.
Ceiling fans are more
than a cooling device. It can also more effectively distribute heat throughout
your home. When warm air rises, cool air can become trapped near floor level.
This accumulation of air layers can be a problem during colder months,
especially in rooms with high or domed ceilings. A ceiling fan breaks up the
cool and warm layers, making the overall room temperature uniform. By simply
flipping a switch to reverse the fan's normal operating direction, warm air is
moved across the ceiling and down the walls. This distributes room heat
without creating a cooling draft. The result is that warm air is where you
need it - at the level you live in, not on the ceiling. So, in winter you can
lower your furnace thermostat degrees, again saving energy dollars. Ceiling
fans can also guarantee proper airflow in solar and other alternative fuel
heat.
Remember, ceiling fans
conserve energy only if you help them.
It is important to
remember that a ceiling fan can be an energy saving device only if a home is
properly weatherized. The following list of energy saving tips is provided so
you may weatherize your home and increase the effectiveness of a fan. In other
words, using these tips in conjunction with your ceiling fan(s) will help you
conserve energy and reduce heating and cooling bills.
Weather
Stripping/Caulking. Proper weather stripping and caulking are essential
for treating cracks around windows and other openings where heat and air
conditioning can escape.
Thermostat. In
the winter your thermostat should be should be set at least 5 degrees lower
when you are sleeping or away from your home. In summer, set your thermostat
at 78 degrees (for air conditioning). For homes with sick or elderly persons
alternate your thermostat by ten degrees of the above recommended mark. The
easiest way to do this is with a programmable thermostat.
Heat-Producing
Items. During the months when air conditioning is in operation, keep
lamps, candles, away from thermostats. The heat they create will make the air
conditioner work harder, cooling more air than is necessary.
Cooling System.
Filters for these systems should be replaced as needed. Keep the outdoor
portion of your air conditioner pump clear of leaves, grass, or dirt
accumulations. Disconnect electricity at circuit breaker or fuse box before
cleaning. Doors should be closed in unused rooms. Consider alternate devices
such as ceiling fans to increase the efficiency of your present cooling unit.
Use energy efficient models when replacing existing systems.
Area Maintenance.
Keep the space all around your home clean. Dust, lint, and litter can cause
operating problems and hazards.
Heating. If
there are several thermostats in your home, energy can be saved by keeping the
temperatures low in the rooms frequently not used. Also, close doors between
heating zones. There is no need to heat or cool space that is not used. Use
only enough heat in these areas to avoid freezing in the winter. Water vapor
present in the air helps to make life more comfortable at lower temperatures.
There is a definite advantage to using ceiling fans because the air holds heat
longer, allowing the fan to circulate it. Freestanding fan units can be
obtained to add to the arrangement and efficiency of the heating system. Set
the operating level according to the manufacturer's recommendations. For more
efficiency, place a sheet of aluminum between the wall and any radiators. It
will reflect the heat back into the room where it can be circulated more
evenly by your fan. If you use radiator covers, make sure they are not
trapping and losing heat.
Drying Clothes
Outdoors. Even if you own a dryer, hanging clothes outdoors to dry in warm
seasons should be done.
Closing Appliance
Doors. Family members should not leave refrigerator or freezer doors open
for long, extra seconds the door is left open increases the power the interior
needs to maintain it's proper temperature.
Entertainment
Equipment. TV's, radios, records, cassette decks, etc., should be turned
off when not in use.
Better Lighting
Sources. When replacing home lights, remember that fluorescent tubes
produce more light for less energy consumed. The U.S. Department of Commerce a
extended service or "long life" light bulbs are actually better than
the ordinary variety.
Attic Insulation. The
attic should be checked, and a recommended amount of insulation should be
present.
Floors and
Foundation Walls. These areas checked. Adequate insulation must be present
under floor basement, in crawl spaces, and along foundation walls.
installation ceiling fan operation by reducing unwanted drafts.
Windows and Doors.
Storm windows, doors, or glass helps to keep the heat and air conditioning in
where it belongs.
Exterior Walls.
Added insulation should be considered when remodeling or re-siding your house.
Seal up Cracks.
Stone, stucco, and brick exterior develop energy wasting cracks. Repairs can
be made with caulking compound.
Teach Children to
Save. A child is never too young, a few simple steps of energy
conservation. Teach all family members to enter and leave the house quickly,
in both winter and summer lingering in the doorway valuable heating and
cooling are lost every time- the door is opened.
Wear a sweater and
save. Wear warm , loose clothing and sweaters to save energy and money.
They point out that when you regularly wear a sweater, the thermostat can be
lowered by 3 degrees, thereby saving as much as 10 % on energy coupled with
the air purification capabilities can add up to real energy savings.
Clothes dryers,
washers, and dishwasher should be fully loaded when they are operated.
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The History of Ceiling Fans
Personal cooling
devices have been around ever since some heated anthropoid discovered that
waving a palm leaf in the face produced the agreeable sensation of a
refreshing breeze. This historical first "wind chill" was duplicated
by the royalty and wealthy persons of early Assyria and Egypt who employed a
small army of slaves and servants waving huge leaves to make them feel cool on
hot days.
Hand fans, still seen
today, came into being around the birth of Christ. The Akomeogi, the Japanese
folding fan, dates back to sixth century, A.D. A century or so later, the
popular Chinese dancing fan, Mai Ogi, appeared with its ten sticks and a thick
paper mount depicting the family crest. In India, a large fan of peacock
feathers symbolized eternal vigilance of the ruler.
The hand fan was
introduced to Europeans in the Middle Ages and soon became popular. By the mid
1750s in Paris alone, there were 150 master fan makers. At about this time,
the world's greatest inventors started to grapple with the problem of
designing mechanically powered, personal wind-generating machines. Some of the
more successful of these machines have appeared in the Smithsonian - the
official magazine of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
Successful use of
mechanical fans was developed in the factories of the Industrial Revolution.
Workers sweating at working got the idea of attaching wooden or metal blades
to the whirl shafts overhead that were used to drive the machinery. The
cooling breeze was evidently so satisfying that within a few years factories
on a hot summer day were in danger of having their work blown away as long
rows of line-shaft fans howled over the workers.
Thomas Edison
introduced the first viable large scale use of electrical power. The ceiling
fan had come of age. Electricity had been considered as a fan power source.
But electricity was little more than a parlor game.
Diehl is generally
considered the father of the modern electric fan. One of the giants of the
electrical industry, Diehl was the genius head of Messrs. Diehl and Company.
One of Diehl's greatest projects, and one which eventually led to the
development of the ceiling fan, was the engineering of a motor suitable for
use in Singer sewing machines.
In 1882, with great
fanfare, Diehl introduced his "invention of the electric ceiling
fan." His device was a bubble-blade adaptation of the well known belt
driven fan with self-contained electric motor; the latter, a modification of
his machine motor. By the end of the 1880s, "The Diehl Electric" was
sweeping the country. At the same time the introduction of electric lights,
electric street cars, and dozens of home electrical appliances were bringing
the use of electricity to cities and towns across the country. The hundreds of
generators and transmission stations made power inexpensive and readily
available. Inventors scrambled to make their fortunes.
Philip Diehl continued
to make major improvements, innovations, such as reducing motor size and
adding lights the Diehl "Electrolier," or electrified combination
chandelier ceiling fan, the ultimate development in ceiling fan usefulness and
soon the idea also became common property, and by the turn of century the
ceiling fan was everywhere. It wasn't long before it and sales, had traveled
around the world.
By the late 1920s, no
self-respecting restaurant, drug store, ice cream shop, elegant dining room,
or even "speakeasy" was without a ceiling fan as part of their decor
and ventilating system.
Top
Quality fans allow their use in virtually any room of the home, day or night. And all
this is possible with a fan that draws less electricity than 100-watt light bulb.
An Investment with a Big Return
What's more, a ceiling
fan, unlike other decorative efforts, is a moveable investment. Those who live
in apartments can still enjoy the comfort, elegance, and energy saving
benefits that a ceiling fan provides without the worry of losing their
investment should they decide to move. Unlike wallpaper and most floor
coverings, which must be left behind and are big investments with little
return, the ceiling fan is a decorating touch that can be packed right along
with the boxes and furniture when the next moving day comes.
Ceiling fans can solve
other problems, too. For instance, while searching for unique gift ideas,
every so often we all get lucky and find just the right item for that special
person. Available in a wide range of styles and colors, ceiling fans can be a
most unique idea that is also practical, an important consideration in today's
world. A ceiling fan would be a great gift for the kids on their way to
college for their dorm rooms where temperatures are frequently uneven and
uncontrollable.
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