Whoosh: A Whole House Fan

Those lazy days of summer could become expensive if you resort to using central air to cool down your home. What if there was one fan that could cool your whole home down? Well, there is and it is called (not surprisingly) a whole house fan.
The benefits of using a household fan are:

-They lower your heating and cooling costs.

-They reduce indoor allergies.

-They freshen the atmosphere of your home.

-The second the fan is turned on, a breeze is created that instantly cools you down.

-Depending on the size of the motor, whole house fans can only cost pennies an hour to operate.

What a whole house fan does is draw the cool outdoor air inside through open windows and exhaust hot air through the attic to the outside. These fans do not work well if the outdoor temperature is much higher than the indoor temperature. When using whole house fans, you should only open windows in the room you’re in and set the fan on a lower setting. This will save you money.

Before you install a whole house fan you need to consider what size you will need. This is usually determined by the amount of square feet your home is. Only the very largest of homes will need more than one whole house fan. The next thing you need to do is figure out where to put the fan based on the size of it and how noisy it is. Keep in mind that fans with larger CFMs are usually larger and noisier.

It is very important to choose the best intake locations (windows and doors). All of your intake locations should have screens. The screens are basically acting as a filter for your home when you use a whole house fan. The screens should be cleaned regularly so that the intake location does not have any blockage. The fan should not be behind a door, but it could be in a common hallway.

Some tips when using household fans are:

-The dampers on any fireplaces in your home should be closed. If they are left open, the outside air will be drawn in along with any soot and odor that is lingering in your chimney.

-You should not run the fan when no one is home. It really is only beneficial to you if you are in your home while the fan is running.

-Windows should be opened on the shaded side of the house if possible. This will increase the cooling potential of the fan.

-You really should vent your attic space. This prevents any of the heat that is up there from coming into the living space. Under eave vents are the inexpensive way to go. This clears your attic of harmful moisture and heat buildup, which increases the lifespan of your roof.

-If you are doing the work yourself, have it permitted and inspected.

So, if you want an inexpensive alternative to central air conditioning, you can try a whole house fan. If you want information about a variety of fans, visit http://www.air-conditioner-home.com/fan/.

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!

Fan Death: Urban Legend?

WARNING>>>WARNING>>>WARNING!

When you go to sleep at night and your room feels a little stuffy, do you ever reach over and turn on a fan? Are your windows closed? Your door? Do you fall into a deep slumber with the fan running all night long?

DO NOT DO THAT! You may not make it through the night.

Does this sound a little preposterous? Many people have done this many times and woken up in the same condition they went to sleep in. It may seem like no one should believe this warning. But some people do. It's called fan death.

Fan death is the belief that if someone is sleeping in a sealed room (the windows and doors are closed) with an electric fan on, they could die. It is widely believed in South Korea.

There are a few theories as to how a fan could kill you while you sleep. They are:

-The fan sucks the oxygen from the enclosed room.
-The fan chops up all of the oxygen molecules in the room leaving you none to breathe.
-The fan uses up all of the oxygen and adds deadly levels of carbon dioxide to the air.
-A fan put directly in front of a sleep person will suck all of their air away.
-Fans contribute to hypothermia because when you sleep your metabolism slows down making you more sensitive to temperature. The fans lower the temperature in the room and could make you hypothermic.

The Korean Consumer Protection Board which is a South Korean government funded agency even released a consumer safety alert in 2006 hailing asphyxiation from electric fans and air conditioners as among South Korea's five most common seasonal summer accidents or injuries.

Are you scared? Are you thinking this might be true? I wouldn't put too much thought into it. All the "facts" of fan death point to it being an urban legend. An urban legend is any modern, fictional story, told as truth, that reaches a wide audience by being passed from person to person. They are characterized by a combination of humor, horror, warning, embarrassment, morality or appeal to empathy. There is usually an unexpected twist that is outlandish but just plausible enough to be taken as truth.

Have you ever heard the one about the huge alligators that live in the New York City sewer system because when they were babies, unsatisfied pet owners flushed them down the toilet. What about the one where someone eats pop rocks and drinks a soda right after and their stomach explodes? How about how some kids found razor blades in apples they were given on Halloween? Those are all examples of urban legends that have no proof behind them. Yet, they are passed on as truths still.

Here's why fan death is most likely an urban legend:

- It always happens to a "friend of a friend." This is a common occurence in urban legends. Saying it happend to a friend of a friend makes the person hearing the urban legend feel connected yet not close enough to investigate the truth of the story.

-There are many variations on why the fans cause the death of the users.

-It's about something people gossip about a lot: death.

-It contains a warning about sleeping with a fan on.

-It is too weird to be true. A lot of people have done this and woken up completely healthy.

Urban legends are usually about occurences that could affect a lot of people if they are true. It is unclear how they begin. They are closely tied to pop culture. A lot of the stories make it into movies. There is even a teen horror movie called Urban Legends that borrows from many of these stories.

Today, urban legends have gone a little bit more high tech than passing from word of mouth. They are being spread through the internet. The most common internet spread urban legends are:

-virus warnings.
-anything free.
-a federal tax on e-mail or the internet.
-FCC surcharge on the use of modems on phone lines.
-"If you forward this"
*A charity will benefit.
*Bill Gates will give you money.
-Neiman Marcus cookie recipe.
-Nostradamus predictions of current events.
-Kurt Vonnegut's graduation speech.
-HIV-infected needles on movie seats, at pay phones, on gas pumps, at ATMs or in ball pits at fast food restaurants.

Really, all you need to do is follow your gut. If something sounds like it is not true and you have no proof that it is, then it probably is not true. Just remember to always read the instructions on any electrical products and use them correctly. Safety first is the key!

Fan of the Fan?

The electric fan. A thing of genius, is it not? It is an apparatus used to produce airflow for the purpose of comfort, ventilation, exhaust or any other gaseous transport. Electric fans create a wind chill but do not lower the temperature directly. They come in lots of different designs and are used in various different ways. At home they can be put on the floor, table, ceiling, window, wall, roof or chimney. They can also be built into computers for cooling and also used inside of blow dryers and space heaters. They are also found in air conditioning systems and automotive engines.

Are you the electric fan's number one fan? Did you ever wonder how this perfect piece of equipment came to be? Well, it all started with the punkah fan. The punkah fan is the first recorded mechanical fan. It was used in the Middle East in the 1500s. It was made with a canvas covered frame suspended from the ceiling. There were specific servants whose job it was to pull the rope connected to the frame. These servants were called Punkah Wallahs and they helped the fan move back and forth.

During the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s, belt driven fans powered by water wheels started being used. In 1832, A.A. Sablukov invented the Air Pump. The Air Pump was a kind of centrifugal fan. It was also one of the first workable mechanical fans. Between 1882-1886 Dr. Schuyler Skaats Wheeler developed the two bladed desk fan. This fan was a personal electric fan.

In 1882, Phillip Diehl invented the electric ceiling fan. It was only used in commercial establishments and well-to-do households. During the 1890s to the 1920s, fans were very stylish but not finger safe. Lots of children were injured by coming in contact with fans in those days. In the 1920s, steel started being produced in mass and in different shapes. The fan prices dropped and more people could afford them. The fan started flourishing.

Nowadays, the fan is a common household appliance. They have dropped somewhat in popularity because of the use of air conditioners, but they still remain widely used.

Air King 9166 20'' Window Exhaust Fan

In these modern times, homes are built with many structural advances. One of those advances is the air-tight insulation. With this insulation comes some problems, though. Moisture, stale air carrying contaminants and pathogens can circualte and cause mold and mildew, health problems, ruined furniture and peeling paint.

An exhaust fan can help with this problem. Exhaust fans help draw out stale air and bring in fresh air. They are usually ducted to the exterior of your home so that the bad indoor air can be removed to the outdoors.

One such exhaust fan is the Air King 9166 20'' Window Exhaust Fan. This fan is electrically reversible so you don't have to manually change the direct of the fan to change the direction the air is going in. This way you can run it either on intake so it brings fresh air to your home or on exhaust so it will pull the unhealthy air out of your home. The Air King 9166 has three speeds for intake and exhaust as well so it can handle a range of ventilation needs.

It's so convenient because it plugs into a standard household outlet, has a seven foot power cord, and has front mounted controls. They are very durable because they are made with impact resistant plastic and the motor is permanently lubricated so that minimal maintenance will be needed. It will fit in anywhere because of it's powder coated steel front grill and integrated plastic extender panels.

To keep your home circulating with fresh air instead of potential harmful air, try an Air King 9166.

Hot Flashes of Brillance: Manage with Fans and Coolers

HOT FLASH!

If you are a woman, you probably know what they are and when you can expect to get them. Or you are already experiencing them and the heat from your computer screen is almost too much. Do not step away from the computer, though. This article just might enlighten you to some new facts about hot flashes.

A hot flash is a sudden sensation of intense body heat, accompanied by heavy sweating and the reddening of the head, neck, chest or entire body. Your skin temperature will rise but your body temperature might actually drop because of the heat lost through perspiration. You might even feel a chill afterward. If you experience a hot flash at night it is called a "night sweat."

There are three types of people who are commonly affected by hot flashes. They are:

1. An older woman who is about to experience menopause or who has already experienced menopause. It occurs when estrogen levels are declining. In these women it is not a sign of a medical problem. It is a normal response to natural hormone changes in the body. The hot flashes usually subside after the first or second year following menopause because the estrogen levels stabilize at a low level.

2. A younger woman who is menstruating or expecting to menstruate soon. These don't usually last very long, sometimes they are even as short as a minute. If these occur at another time in a younger woman's menstrual cycle, then it might be a symptom of a problem with the pituitary gland.

3. Men who experience a substantial drop in testosterone levels can experience hot flashes. They would experience this drop in hormone levels:

- after the surgical removal of testes.

- when taking medications to decrease testosterone levels for treatment of prostate cancer.

- if they have a tumor on hypothalamus or pituitary gland.

- if they have an infection like tuberculosis or HIV.

- if they are having a reaction to MSG.

- if they are having a reaction to medications like nifedipine, niacin or calcitonin.

Hot flashes in men should be evaluated by a doctor. The doctor will try to determine the cause and how to treat the cause or the flashes themselves.

One main way hot flashes are treated in women is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). HRT may relieve symptoms, but can also cause an increase in the risk of breast cancer, stroke and dementia. The US FDA and women's health advocates recommend trying alternatives to hormonal therapies as a first line of treatment.

There are three main ways to manage hot flashes without resorting to HRT.

1. Avoid smoking and eat and drink well. This includes:

-limiting alcohol.

-drinking cold beverages rather than hot ones.

-eating smaller meals because larger meals generate more heat when they are digested.

-eating low fat, high fiber foods.

-not smoking.

2. Stay cool. This includes:

-keeping your environment cool by using a fan, an evaporative cooler or an air conditioner.

-dressing in layers so that you can remove clothing to keep cool.

-sleeping with fewer blankets.

3. Reduce stress. This includes:

-Regularly exercising.

-Use of relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga and biofeedback.

Window Fans: Blow Me Down!

Window fans are a cheaper and earth-friendlier alternative to air conditioning. You can use them to cool your home in the evening using the air from outside so that no air conditioning needs to be used during the day. Window fans also help to cut down on blackouts because you are using electricity at non-peak times.

Window fans are used to expel the warm air from an area or to draw cool air into an area. They usually come with a mounting kit and side panels to support the fan and prevent air from circulating around and back into the fan. If the air does circle back it could result in a performance loss of 8-10 percent. Smaller window fans may come with the panels attached and some window fans allow the window to be closed with the fan mounted in the window frame.

To cool a room with a window fan you should run the fan on intake with a second window open. The second window acts as a vent. If you are trying to cool more than one room you should run the fan on exhaust. The windows and connecting doors of the rooms being cooled should be open.

A couple of features worth looking into on window fans are a thermostat control and electric reversibility. A thermostat control is useful when there is a large difference between the day and night temperature in your environment. Electric reversibility means that the window fan is able to switch from intake to exhaust or vice versa without manually turning the fan around like the 9600 Air King 16" Window Fan.

When you are using a window fan, you should be aware that they don't allow you to control the indoor temperature as closely as an air conditioner. Also, window fans shouldn't be used if the air outside is uncomfortably hot, humid and/or polluted. You should not use window fans without window screens because insects and animals may enter your home (small insects such as gnats may enter your home even with the use of a screen). You may not want to use them in high crime or noisy areas as well.

To make sure you get the most out of using a window fan to cool your home, you should not leave the fan on all day. This shortens the fan's life, especially if it is left on during a rainstorm. You also should not operate a fan that isn't working correctly. If the blades aren't moving or if there is a burning smell, it could be a fire hazard. Another problem could be if the fan isn't lubricated enough. This causes the blades to rotate slowly, not at all and/or make a lot of noise. There could also be a potentially dangerous electrical fault, such as a wire being loose. You should make sure that all of the parts of your fans are in fine working order for your safety and comfort.

Ceiling Fans, Portable Air Conditioners and Evaporative Coolers: Ways to Keep A Cool Head

When you come home after a long day of work, school, or running errands you want to enter a comfortable environment. If you can fry an egg on the sidewalk outside your home, you do not want the same to be true of your hardwood floors. There are lots of things you can do to make your home much cooler when it's a boiler outside.

1. You can close your windows, doors, draperies and blinds before the sun has a chance to warm your home. You can open them when the sun goes down in the evening. This makes the inside of your home cooler than the outside.

2. You can provide shade around your home by planting trees and having awnings over your windows. You should also have shade over any air conditioning units that are outside like the WindChaser WC161 16'' Electric Misting Fan.

3. If your home is dry, you can use a humidifier to increase the humidity which can make your home a few degrees cooler.

4. You can open opposite end windows to cross ventilate your home. This allows the air to move around your home more.

5. You can cool down your body with a swim or shower before bed. This might make it easier for you to fall asleep.

6. You can also use specific cooling appliances to make your home feel cooler when the heat is on outside. Some of them are:

-Ceiling Fans- You can purchase these fans with or without a light fixture so they can be apart of your lighting and decorative needs as well as your cooling needs like the Air King 9800L Ceiling Fan with Schoolhouse Light Kit. Ceiling fans are nice because they have cooling potential during the warm season and they also can circulate warm air during the cool season.

-Evaporative Coolers- These coolers use the air humidity principle to reduce the temperature of your home like the Symphony Surround Portable Evaporative Cooler .The units draw air through their vents. passes the air through damp pads, and then out into the rest of the home. These units are usually less expensive than portable air conditioners but should only be used in very hot and dry areas.

-Portable Air Conditioners- These cooling units do not require breaking into a wall or reconfiguring a window like wall and window air conditioners. They do need a window nearby to put their flexible hoses through to vent the warm air out of the home. Some portable air conditioners are multitasked and provide heat and other air quality features as well as cooling like the New Air 1000H Portable Air Conditioner and Heater. These units are especially suited for apartments and rental homes.