Ceiling fans can be an attractive addition to almost any space, and they can provide a cooling alternative to air conditioning on a hot day. It seems that a ceiling fan should be less expensive and more efficient than air conditioning, but is that true? Are ceiling fans energy efficient enough to be practical as well as good-looking? And how do ceiling fans compare to other types, such desk and floor fans?

Are Ceiling Fans Energy Efficient? Let’s find out.

The ceiling fan has come a long way. These days a ceiling fan may be any combination of standard or low-profile, high-flow or standard-flow, damp-rated, LED lit, WiFi enabled, AC or DC powered, with classic or modern or even futuristic looks. Some of these features are about personal preference, others have a major impact on fan efficiency. Which is best for you? Latched Electrical Solutions can help you find the best solution for your cooling needs. For a quote, a call out or for any questions, you can reach us on 0419 283 055 or via our contact page.

Efficiency in Air Movement vs Power Consumption

The more air you want to move with a fan the more power you will need. This is always true, but efficiency improvements have changed the relationship. Modern ceiling fan design includes significant changes to blade design and the motor powering the fan, maximising air movement while minimising power requirement. High-flow fans often use specially designed curved blades to push more air more efficiently than traditional flat-bladed ceiling fans. DC motors are in wide use today – they draw up to 70 percent less power than AC motors for the same work done. The best and most efficient modern ceiling fans will combine these improvements – they will typically cost more than older designs, but they will always deliver better performance.

Ceiling Fans vs Air Conditioning

A good strong air conditioning unit will of course cool an interior space faster and to a greater degree than a ceiling fan – but that power comes at a cost. And is it always needed? When continuous light cooling is needed, a ceiling fan will perform very well, and with its smaller current draw will always cost less than an air conditioning unit. The longer the fan runs, the better the cost comparison. The fan will also be much quieter and more pleasant than typical window or wall-mounted air conditioning.

Ceiling Fans and Air Conditioning Working Together

In a very hot interior, air conditioning actually becomes more efficient initially, when all aspects are considered. The power used by air conditioning is offset by the unit’s ability to cool down fast. If both air conditioning and ceiling fan are available, then the air conditioning may be used first to drop the temperature to a point where the fan can take over, so you get the best of both in the most efficient scenario.

Outdoor Ceiling Fans

One specialised home setting where a ceiling fan will do better than air conditioning will be a covered patio or similar semi-outdoor space that is protected from rain. Air conditioning does not usually perform efficiently in locations that are open to the outside. A modern damp-rated ceiling fan can provide directed cooling in a setting like this.

Ceiling Fans vs Portable Fans

Portable fans such as desk fans and floor fans can be very convenient, providing close-up cooling right where it’s needed. They are less useful in cooling larger spaces, and in most cases they use much less efficient AC motors, so over time their running cost will exceed that of a modern ceiling fan by a large margin. They are really a completely different class of fan than a ceiling fan, and their best uses are not the same. One way a portable fan can help is in a very warm interior being cooled by a ceiling fan – if it’s really hot and the ceiling fan is doing its best but falling behind, adding the local cooling of a portable fan might make turning on power-hungry air conditioning unnecessary.

Ceiling Fans in Commercial Spaces

Ceiling fans used to be very commonly found in commercial spaces but were phased out in favour of air conditioning. They’re making a comeback as businesses seek ways to trim their energy bills. As in the home, it is not always necessary to engage the high cooling power and cost of air conditioning in the absence of extremely hot weather. An investment in modern high-efficiency ceiling fans can pay off for a business in a moderate climate.

Ceiling Fans in Other Business Environments

In production environments, well deployed energy efficient ceiling fans can provide comfortable surroundings that lead to higher employee morale and productivity. Ceiling fans are up and out of the way – preventing the potential hazards of randomly placed portable fans in the workplace. In retail and office settings, ceiling fans can also add pleasant detailing to the design of the space. People do like ceiling fans. Commercial use of ceiling fans is definitely a place for professional advice and involvement.

When it’s time to have electrical work done on your home or business, it can be difficult to know if the work will be performed by someone who is qualified. But there are questions to ask electricians that will let you make an educated and informed decision about the quality of an electrical contractor before you employ them.

The kind of work that an electrician does is usually of critical importance. Poorly done electrical work can lead to health and safety risks, such as fires or electrocution. Therefore, it’s important that you find an electrician you can trust. Latched Electrical Solutions are the trusted electrical contractors north Brisbane home and business owners depend on. We put together this list of 8 questions to ask an electrical contractor you’re considering hiring that will help you to determine if they are up to the job.

1 – Who Will Perform the Work?

If you are talking with an electrical company on the phone or if a company sends someone out to your location to assess the job and provide a quote, you cannot assume that person will be the one who will perform the actual work. Inquire if the person you are talking to will do the work or if somebody else will. If the person you are talking with will perform the task, you can ask some follow up questions about their credentials. If someone else will do the work, there are other questions you can ask about that person.

2 – Ask about Licencing

No matter who will perform the work, you need to ask if that person is a licenced electrician. If they are licenced you also need to ask about the specific kind of licence they hold. In Queensland there are 6 different classes of electrical work licences available. Different licences are required for different kinds of electrical work, so inquire about the licence the electrician holds and the kind of work that licence allows them to do.

3 – Find Out About Insurance

This is one of the most important questions to ask electricians. We mentioned before that the kind of work that an electrician performs is often critical in nature. Any accident involving electricity can lead to property damage or personal injury. Any electrician that will be performing work on your premises should be fully insured against such accidents. So be sure to ask about the kind of insurance the electrician holds.

4 – Have You Done This Kind of Work Before?

It might feel strange to ask an electrician if they’ve performed the work they’ll be doing for you before. But this is an important part of doing your due diligence on them. What you’re really inquiring about is their level of experience, so ask them about the other kinds of jobs they’ve performed while you’re at it. You want to hire an electrician with experience who knows what they’re doing.

5 – Does Your Work Come with a Warranty?

When you purchase a car, a TV, or a refrigerator you ask about the warranty. When you have electrical work done you should ask the same thing. A good electrician will stand behind their work and offer a warranty on the quality of their work. The warranty will give you peace of mind that the work is done right or will be made right if there is a problem.

6 – Ask About Disruptions to Electricity

This question isn’t really about the quality of the electrician you will be hiring, but it is important to know, especially if the work will be performed at a business. Electrical work often requires the electricity to be turned off in a home or building, or in a large section of a home or building. This can cause a lot of disruption to your business or your life. Asking about the electricity being turned off also gives you a chance to judge the quality and thoroughness of the answer, which will tell you about the quality of the electrician you are considering hiring.

7 – Will this Work Require a Permit?

A lot of electrical work requires permissions or permits from the local council. This is especially true for expansion work on your home or office building. It’s a good idea to ask about any permits that might be needed and about who will acquire the permits. Sometimes an electrical contractor can get the necessary permits, but other times the building owner will have to get the permits. Either way, a good electrician should be able to give you advice on the permits needed and how to get them.

8 – Ask for a Price Estimate

You don’t want any surprises when it comes to the price of electrical work, so asking about the price is one of the good questions to ask an electrical contractor upfront. The electrical contractor should be able to give you an estimated price range for the work they will perform. It’s a good idea to ask about any possible complications that could increase the price and the likelihood of those complications occurring. Find out as much as you can about the price and make sure there are no hidden fees.