Ceiling Fans Can Help Heat Homes Too

Recently the Atlanta Journal Constitution shared a column written by Lori Johnston of MCT Information Services. Since, people love ceilings fans -- especially those of us who live in the south and wouldn't think of giving up our ceiling fans regardless of the season, I share Lori's column with you today. Feeling the breeze from a ceiling fan just may be a step you can take toward greater energy efficiency this fall. You can save as much as 40 percent on the cost of cooling your home because a fan creates airflow that cools the people in the room reducing the need for air conditioning, says Leslie Killingsworth, director of purchasing for Pregressive Lighting / Lee Lighting stores. In the winter, she says, ceiling fans recirculate the warm air at the top of the room, which raises the temperature in the living space below (if fans are switched from running counter-clockwise in the summer to running clockwise in the winter). Using ceiling fans can trim heating costs by 10 percent, according to Casablanca Fan Company. Fans have become an extension of decorative lighting, with people returning to traditional styles with plated finishes or chossing a rustic style for a more casual look, Killingsworth said. Other fans have more natural materials, also fitting with the desire for a greener look and feel in homes. Ceiling fans with new DC motors (instead of traditional AC motors) enable homeowners to use less electricity, says Pil Sherer, vice president of sales at Masterpiece Lighting. Some motors are virtually silent, and sine the motors are smaller, the fans are lighter, he says. These four fans show a possible new direction for ceiling fans. Savoy House Fan d'lier -- The fan d'lier is a mix between a chandelier and a ceiling fan. Fan $698, progressivelighting.com. Brewmaster Belt Driven Ceiling Fan -- A pulley-like system rotates the blades in the Brewmaster belt-driven ceiling fan by Fanimation. It not only has a unique vintage style, but the company says it cuts down on electricity costs. Blade options include cherry, walnut, rosewood, bamboo and palm leaf styles. Suggested retail price: $750, fanimation.com. Emerson Midway Eco Fan -- The sleek Emerson Midway Eco Fan, which is Energy Star-approved, has a motor that uses 75 percent less energy than other ceiling fans and baldes that move up to 40 percent more air, according to the company. Prices vary, depending on size: www.emersonfans.com, www.masterpiecelighting.com. Casablanca Brescia Fan -- Many of Casablanca Fan Co.'s fans have earned the Energy Star rating. Everygy Star-qualified ceiling fans are generally about 20 percent more efficient than standard ceiling fans, according to the company. One of its styles, the Brescia, has an arts-and-crafts style for homes. Prices vary, depending on size, for dealers, visit casablancafanco.com/Support/Find-a-Casablanca-Dealer. 2012 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Atlanta, GA) Distributed by MCT Information Services Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia. She often shares pertinent information for home owners, sellers and buyers in this column and is always open to your many questions. Sara is easily reached at 404-660-2481. Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate is on Your Mind!