(StatePoint) It’s no secret that summer is hot and that cooling your home is more expensive than ever — and also can be hard on the environment. These days, homeowners nationwide are making more mindful choices to save money and help maintain the natural resources and beauty of what we call «home.»
One of the best and easiest year-round options to «go green» while saving some «green» is the use of ceiling fans that can help you cut cooling and heating costs while conserving energy.
In fact, on a hot summer day, it costs an average of 43 cents an hour to run central air conditioning, and 16 cents an hour to run a room air conditioner. In contrast, a ceiling fan costs only a penny an hour to operate. This can save you up to 40 percent on home cooling costs.
«It’s great to see more people making better choices about the energy-saving products they use and reducing their carbon footprint» says Steve Cox, vice president and general manager of Emerson Ceiling Fans. «Something as simple as turning off the AC or heater and using a ceiling fan instead can make a positive difference – for the environment and for your wallet.»
When choosing the right ceiling fan for your home, look for one with the government’s ENERGY STAR logo, since these products have been identified by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency as being among the most efficient on the market. There are many such energy-efficient ones available. For instance, this year Emerson Ceiling Fans increased their number of fans and light kits carrying the ENERGY STAR logo by 25 percent, now totaling more than 90 models.
Along with being efficient and cost-friendly, ceiling fans are a stylish statement that can be made both indoors and outside. Many people still consider ceiling fans to be only an interior, functional fixture. However, there are several benefits of having a ceiling fan in a covered porch, veranda or pool-side gazebo.
Outdoor ceiling fans are not only designed to withstand wind, moisture and dust, they also come in a variety of styles and colors that can suite anyone’s personal taste and can bring interior designs outdoors with ease. Models that are able to endure damp or even completely wet locations can also have a light kit added for more functionality and to create a one-of-a-kind look.
«Using an outdoor fan to move air can help make higher humidity environments more comfortable,» says Cox.
And what many people don’t know is that using ceiling fans in the cooler months also can help save money. Running a fan in reverse re-circulates warm air trapped near the ceiling, making the room more comfortable and allowing you to turn down the thermostat and lower your heating bill.
Whether you prefer fashion-forward, high-style designs or those of traditional elegance, indoor and outdoor ceiling fans can enhance the look of any space while making it most comfortable, and for only pennies a day.
To learn more about to benefits of both indoor and outdoor ceiling fans or to find out where you can buy them, visit www.emersonfans.com or call 1-800-237-6511.
With continued rising fuel prices and today’s shaky economic climate, there is no better time to take advantage of this cost and energy saving tip.
Just imagine enjoying a warm afternoon on your patio with a nice, quiet breeze and fresh outdoor air around you, knowing that even when cooler days come you’ll have a lower energy bill.
