There is no doubt that heat is bothersome to many. It doesn't matter if the heat is from a hot stuffy room or the sun beating down on you while you are at the beach. Heat that we are exposed to on a daily basis is either dry heat or moist heat. Dry heat is troublesome because it makes breathing difficult as you try to pull hot dry air into your lungs. Moist heat, which is called humidity, can cause rapid dehydration due to excessive sweating.



No matter which type of air you are exposed to, heat can affect your thinking ability, and makes everyday tasks that would have been easier in cooler weather, harder to perform. For those who live in hot, humid climates, summer heat can be oppressive. Often the only solution is to spend the day confined ito an air-conditioned room.

In these economic times, air conditioning may be a luxury few can afford. Running an air conditioning unit can be expensive. Add to that the purchase cost, maintenance, and the need for routine cleaning; air conditioning may not be an option for the poor or elderly. Fixed incomes may not be able to handle the cost of running an air conditioning unit on a regular basis.

If dealing with the heat doesn't give you a headache, your monthly electric bill while using an air conditioner certainly will. A relatively inexpensive alternative to air conditioning is the use of electric fans. Fans are inexpensive to purchase, fairly easy to install, and easy to maintain. They are inexpensive to repair and replacement costs are low. During times of extreme heat, arranging your fans properly can help you bring in cool air and keep warm air out of the home.

Choosing the proper type of fan for your circumstances is important. There are 4 basic types of fans that you can choose to effectively cool your home.

A pedestal fan can be adjusted to various speeds and its height can also be controlled, so you can direct the air to the area where you are working.

A box fan is a smaller electric fan with a rotating face. This type fan is designed to push air and then circulate it into different parts of a room.

A ceiling fan, as its name implies, hangs from a ceiling and pushes cool air downwards.

The final type of fan is an exhaust fan that is built into a wall. This type fan helps air circulate, especially in closed surroundings such as warehouses, attics or garages.

All four of these types of electric fans can help lower your electric bill.

Air conditioning units operate by using cooling fluids and it takes much more energy to convert hot outside air to cool air and to remove water vapor from the air. Fans, on the other hand, just circulate air around the room and use much less electricity.

When shopping for a fan, choose a brand that is inexpensive but carries and energy star rating. This will give you a fan that gives you the most power, while using the least amount of energy.

In order to achieve maximum benefit from a fan, be sure they are properly located. You don't want to bring additional warm air into the home where it is not wanted. Drawing air in from the sunny side of the home will only increase the discomfort level.

Tips to Cool Your Home Using Fans

The following tips will help you use your fans effectively to cool your home.

Use cross ventilation. You shouldn't need a fan going in every room to cool your home. By placing a powerful fan in one room and then opening any adjoining doors, you can direct the fan to blow the air to the next rooms. Placing an exhaust fan high on the ceiling will also help to keep air in constant motion. To cross ventilate a home, open any windows that arent' facing the sun to allow cool air to enter.

By closing windows that are facing the sun, and shielding them with curtains, you can lower the temperature of your room quicker. Position electric fans perpendicular to open windows, so any incoming air is circulated immediately. On calm, windless days, position the fan at the other end of the room, facing the window.

If it is very hot and humid, then an electric fan may do you little good on its own. If you have an air conditioning unit, turn it on low cool or fan mode, then use the electric fan to circulate the hot air. On its own, the air conditioning unit will take up more energy as the humid air will be difficult to cool. The electric fan, on its own, will use more energy, as it will have to be operated at higher, faster settings, and for a longer time, before it can finally cool the air.

Running fans in rooms that are not occupied is not an energy efficient way to use a fan. If a room is not use, close the door and turn off the fan. Remember to open the door in the evening when it is cooler to allow air circulation so a buildup of mold is not created, especially in humid conditions.