Are Ceiling Fans Out of Style? (Absolutely Not!)

While interior designers might not make a ceiling fan the focal point of a space, aesthetically minded and function-first crowds love what these handy devices offer. Ceiling fans can help lower heating and cooling costs and improve comfort in your Atlanta home. On their own or as a complement to your home’s heating and cooling systems, ceiling fans are a surprisingly cost-effective solution to maximizing energy efficiency year-round.

How Do Ceiling Fans Work?

Ceiling fans operate by circulating air in a room to create a gentle breeze and direct warm or cool air where it is needed most. They enhance the circulation of the air rather than cooling the air like air conditioning units.

Variables in ceiling fan performance include the shape and angle of its blades and the direction it spins. You can adjust the direction of the blades with the seasons:

Ceiling fans should spin clockwise during the winter months. Since warm air rises, a clockwise-spinning fan creates an updraft that pushes the warmer air downward along the walls. After adjusting your ceiling fan's direction for winter, set the fan to a low speed to prevent a breeze.
Ceiling fans should spin counterclockwise during the summer. This motion creates a downdraft that produces a cooling breeze throughout the room. The faster the fan spins, the more air it moves, resulting in a stronger breeze.

Are Ceiling Fans Outdated?

Despite being invented over one hundred years ago, the ceiling fan remains one of the most efficient and straightforward cooling methods available to homeowners worldwide. Here’s why they’re a constant favorite among Atlanta homeowners.

Ceiling Fans Are Energy Efficient

Are you wondering, “Are ceiling fans energy efficient?” The simple answer is, absolutely. Over time, the use of a ceiling fan may result in cost savings by reducing reliance on the HVAC system, allowing for less frequent and shorter periods of operation. Although efficiency varies by model, most ENERGY STAR-rated ceiling fans are more energy efficient than central air conditioning units. They’re also more efficient than portable fans because they move substantially more air by volume.

Modern Ceiling Fan Tech Is Smart

Ceiling fan technology didn’t stop when they were invented in 1882. Modern ceiling fans have improved motor and blade designs to reduce energy use and move air more efficiently, and many pair with smart home systems like Alexa or Nest. This allows your HVAC and ceiling fan to complement each other and further maximize your energy savings and comfort.

Choose the Right Size Ceiling Fan

If you’re thinking of installing a new ceiling fan, make sure you find the perfect fit. ENERGY STAR recommends finding the right ceiling fan based on the square footage of the room where it will be installed. Here’s a quick guide:

Rooms up to 100 square feet: 29- to 36-inch fan
Rooms up to 400 square feet: 36- to 50-inch fan
Rooms larger than 400 square feet: 50- to 71-inch fan

Ceiling fan sizes are determined by their blade span, or the full diameter of the circle created by the blades while spinning. It’s important to have an accurate measurement of your room, since choosing a ceiling fan that’s too big results in an overwhelming breeze, and selecting a fan that’s too small means inadequate airflow.

Are Ceiling Fans Worth It?

Yes, ceiling fans are worth it, considering that a well-maintained ceiling fan allows you to raise your thermostat by 4 or 5 degrees during the summer. This can contribute to measurable ceiling fan energy savings each year. And, they’re even worth it in the winter, when they can help distribute heat more evenly to reduce how often and how long your heating system runs.

Our Ceiling Fan Expertise Makes Installation a Breeze

At Cunningham Associates, we understand that energy efficiency can be an important consideration in your household's financial expenditures. Our comprehensive home services are designed to optimize system performance while ensuring reliable, hassle-free operation. Whether it's HVAC system maintenance or the installation of ceiling fans, you can trust our skilled technicians to deliver high-quality workmanship backed by extensive expertise.

To schedule HVAC, electrical, or plumbing services in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, and the surrounding areas, call 770-343-7565 or contact us online.

Do Ceiling Fans Work? Efficiency, Sizing, and More