COPYRIGHT 2016 JAMES DULLEY ( www.dulley.com/sea/ ) - July 2016 - (graphics ref. No. 958 at www.dulley.com/sea/column/2016-jul.htm )

"Select, size, locate, and use ceiling paddle fans for year-round comfort/savings"

Dear Jim: I want to install ceiling fans in several rooms. With so many models and prices, what factors should I consider when selecting them? Can I also run them in the winter to lower my heating costs? - Carol B.

Dear Carol: People typically think of fans only for summertime comfort and lower air-conditioning costs. Ceiling fans are unique in that they can also reduce your wintertime heating bills with proper use.

Before installing a ceiling fan, it is important to understand how one functions. A ceiling fan does not cool a room like an air conditioner. It actually heats the room whenever it is running. All of the electricity it uses ends up as heat. Always turn the fan off when no one is in a room.

You feel cooler under a ceiling fan because it creates a downward breeze over your skin. If you feel cooler, you can run your air conditioner less or set its thermostat a few degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. If you do not do this, running the ceiling fan will increase your electric bills.

During winter, reverse the rotation of the fan blades so the air flows up toward the ceiling. Run it on low speed. This gently moves the hotter air, which collects up near the ceiling, throughout the room without creating a chilly breeze. This allows you to set the heating thermostat a few degrees lower for savings.

The simplest way to select an efficient ceiling fan is to pick one which is Energy Star certified (www.energystar.gov). To be certified, a ceiling fan must meet certain air flow rates per watt used at various speeds. This is similar to miles-per-gallon efficiency ratings for cars.

When selecting a typical lower-cost four- or five-blade fan, a rule-of-thumb for sizing is (room size vs. diameter of blades): up to 75 sq. ft. - 36 in., 75 to 144 sq. ft. - 36 to 42 in., 144 to 225 sq. ft. - 44 to 50 in., 225 to 400 sq. ft. - 50 to 54 in.

The ideal height for the fan blades is about eight feet above the floor. A three-inch downrod is included with most fans to provide the proper height. For high ceilings, downrods up to six feet long are used to get the fan low enough. For safety reasons, never have the blades closr than seven feet from the floor.

Many new stylish fans have from only one to six blades with three being common. Pay attention to the pitch angle of the blades to get an idea of how strong a breeze it creates. A steeper pitch moves more air at a slower speed. This often indicates a more powerful and quiet motor.

The newest and most efficient motors are DC (direct current) motors. These are similar in design concept to the variable speed motors in new heat pumps. Some offer up to six speeds and use only 33 watts of electricity.

Most people install a lighting kit under the ceiling fan. Select one with LED lighting. It is not only efficient, but it lasts for many years and most are dimmable.

A model with a hand-held remote control is most convenient to adjust the speed and switch it off when leaving a room. Some new high-tech fans can be controlled by a cell phone with a special fan app.

Dear Jim: I do a lot of indoor gardening and I plan to install new efficient replacement windows. I wonder if the low-emissivity coating on the glass will interfere with my indoor plant growth? - Todd K.

Dear Todd: Efficient low-emissivity (low-e) glass has become the standard for replacement windows. Although it looks clear, it blocks heat transfer and some ultraviolet (UV) rays both summer and winter.

Since it allows nearly the entire visible spectrum of light through, low-e glass should not adversely affect plants. Some plants actually prefer reduced UV rays, the same rays that fade your furniture.

Send inquiries to James Dulley, Publication Name, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.