Spring is Here: Ceiling Fan Tips

Spring is officially here. The Vernal Equinox was on March 20 this year at 5:48 AM. An equinox is the moment in time (not a whole day) when the center of the sun can be observed to be directly above the Earth's equator. This occurs around March 20th and September 23rd each year. During spring the axis of the Earth is tilted toward the Sun. The Northern Hemisphere begins to warm up and new plant grow starts "springing" up.

As the temperatures start warming up, you might start considering using a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans are an inexpensive alternative to air conditioning and they also add a decorative touch to your home. Here are some tips on installing and using ceiling fans:

Outlet box:

-Be sure to use an appropriate UL-listed metal box marked "For Use With Ceiling Fans."
-The outlet box should be mounted above the ceiling at the point where the fan is to be attached.
-This box house all wiring needed to operate and connect the ceiling fan.
-If you replace a ceiling fixture, you will probably need to replace the electrical box.

Mounting:

-The fan should be anchored to a ceiling joist.
-If the joist is not in the middle of the room, a ceiling fan mounting bracket with spiked ends needs to be installed between joists.
-Be careful: these fans can weigh as much as 50 lbs.

If your fan is wobbly:

-Make sure all of the connections are properly aligned and tightly fastened.
-You can check the alignment of blades by holding a yardstick vertically along the edges.
-A balancing kit can be used to pinpoint the problem if all blades are aligned.

For Summer/Spring:
-If a room is empty, the ceiling fan should not be on. Ceiling fans (all fans really) cool people, but not rooms.
-Use the fan in the counter-clockwise direction. You should feel a cool breeze. The air flow produced creates a wind chill effect and makes you feel cooler.

Did you know that your ceiling fan can be beneficial in the winter as well? If you reverse the motor and operate the fan at a low speed in the counterclockwise direction, a gentle updraft will be produced. This forces the warm air near the ceiling down into the occupied space.

Ceiling fans: you are going to love them all year!