Ceiling fans have been helping Americans beat the heat for more than 100 years. Philip Diehl, a contemporary of Thomas Edison, is credited with being the inventor of the electrically powered ceiling fan in 1882. Diehl used the electric motor he engineered for the Singer sewing machine and added two paddle blades, and the rest is history.
Ceiling fans caught on fast, and Diehl improved his design by adding a light kit. By World War I, most ceiling fans were revving up with four paddle blades rather than two.
Today, more than 75 percent of all homes in the U.S. have ceiling fans, and when used correctly, they can help lower summer cooling costs. It’s important to note that ceiling fans do not provide refrigerated cooling like an air conditioner. Instead, they simply move air in proximity to the fan, and air moving across skin evaporates the moisture produced by our bodies, making us feel cooler. Running a ceiling fan in conjunction with your air conditioner creates a wind-chill effect inside your home, so you can comfortably set your thermostat 3 to 5 degrees higher. For maximum cooling effect, be sure your fan spins counterclockwise in order to push the airflow downward.
Setting the thermostat higher saves much more electricity than the ceiling fan consumes, but you won’t pocket that money if you allow ceiling fans to run in an empty room. Left on and unattended, ceiling fans are just spinning up your electric bill. A simple flip of the switch or pulling the chain into the off position when you leave the room is all it takes to enjoy cool summer savings.