One of the best ways we have found to keep our frugal home comfortable in the winter is to install ceiling fans. Our home has approximately five ceiling fans. They really are a year round heating solution. In the summer I keep our living room fan on low, and it doesn’t create a huge wind force. What it does do is keep the room cool. I am able to keep the air conditioner on low and save on our air conditioning bill.
We do not keep them on all of the time, but to re-distribute heat they are turned on a slow speed to circulate the air. In the winter, again I keep them on low and they create movement of the heat. Our living room area stays warmer. Ceiling fans reduce hot and cold spots in a room to allow for an even temperature.
Distribute Heat in a Room
Heating a room with a ceiling fan is productive to re-circulate the air that has risen. By turning the fan to run in a counterclockwise direction will not cool the air, but move it around. Keep the fan on a low setting so it does not stir up the air. If the fan is moving to fast it will create a draft.
In addition to other ways of lowering the heat bill, ceiling fans are a great help. When I was younger, my dad had a window fan. It was an old fashioned window fan made out of metal. I can remember him turning the dial and the fan moving counterclockwise. As a young child, who was very hot, I didn’t understand why their was no air coming out of the fan.
Our home was not air conditioned back in the 80s. Summer nights could be extremely hot. When my dad placed the large, metal window fan in his bedroom I was disappointed. To me, as a child I wanted to be cool right then and there with the wind keeping me cool.
The idea was too pull the hot air out of the house. Furthermore,not only would the house be cooler, but it would stay cooler. This fan was located at the back of the home. At night, when the windows were shut our frugal home was kept comfortable around 70 degrees.
Create Air Circulation with Ceiling Fans
We have several ceiling fans in our home. One in the living room, and each of the bedrooms. Prior to our kitchen remodel, we had one in our kitchen. We also have one in the sunroom to help with air distribution. In the winter months, we turn the fans on counterclockwise to keep the warm air moving. Heat rises to the top. In addition to air circulation the fans help us to keep our home comfortable in the winter at 70 degrees.
Air circulation can keep a frugal home warmer in the winter, and cooler in the summer.
Ceiling Fan with Built in Heaters
Ceiling fans come with heaters. They will not heat up the house, but will keep a room warm. The top of a staircase is a good place to locate a fan with built in heat. Another good spot is a central location. Our central location would be the main living room.
Installing and using ceiling fans can help with heating costs in the winter. Frugal Home owners know that fans also help with cooling in the summer. Most frugal home owners find a dual purpose for all purchases in their home.
Frugal Home Heat Solution for a Frugal Home
First, you can save up to 15 % on heat bills in the winter by keeping your ceiling fan on low. In addition to that, your electric bill isn’t impacted as much. Second, there is less strain on heating systems because the fan doesn’t use as much.
Finally, and most importantly keeping your ceiling fan on in the winter reduces the heating costs by allowing you to set the thermostat back 2-5 degrees which is a 1-2% savings on each degree. This winter don’t turn off your fans, keep them on and save.
Combine ideas to have the best, warm, most frugal winter yet. For more posts on suburban homesteading, living a frugal lifestyle and homeschooling join my newsletter or follow me at @momsarefrugal on Instagram.
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