HUNTER CEILING FANS

Comfort from Above

The easiest and most efficient way to cool off in the summer heat is to use portable floor fans or to install ceiling fans, both of which use 90 percent less energy than air-conditioning. Fans can cool a room by a perceived 4° F to 10°F simply by moving air, which leads to greater evaporation of perspiration. Most fans have multiple speeds, and many ceiling units have a setting to run the blades in reverse (clockwise), which will push warm air down when it’s cold and reduce heating costs by 10 percent. To facilitate maximum airflow, ceiling fan blades should be at least 10 inches from the ceiling and 18 inches from the walls. Installing a fan isn’t difficult if a ceiling light mount already exists. Otherwise you’ll probably need an electrician or skilled handyman. Just make sure there is enough clearance for tall folks!

What is the proper size ceiling fan for your room? First determine the square footage of your room (length times width), then check the manufacturer’s guidelines. In general, 52-inch blades (the most commonly used) are good for rooms of 225 to 400 square feet. Seek out Energy Star–certified fans, which promise quality and energy efficiency. Energy Star ceiling fan/light combination units are about 50 percent more efficient Than conventional fan/light combos, and they will save $15 to $20 per year on utility bills. Energy Star fan-only models are typically 14 to 20 percent more efficient than competitors and are currently available from some 30 manufacturers.

Many of the stylish, finely crafted models offered by Hunter Fan Company are certified by Energy Star. Hunter’s modern Palermo model comes with a brushed nickel base, CFL light bulb in a large dome housing, and blades in cherry or maple. The Sonora line features bleached oak blades and an elegant housing for a CFL, and the Jackson Square is finished with antique pewter and a red veneer on the blades. If a ceiling fan is not an option, you can use tabletop or floor fans to get the air moving. To create a “wind tunnel” that pulls outdoor air—when it’s cooler than indoor air—through the house, position one fan in a window to face inward and position another fan at an opposite window to blow warm air out.