There’s been a heated debate going around for years about whether or not you should leave your ceiling fan running all day. Now, experts settle the question once and for all. It might surprise you to learn that you should not leave your ceiling fan running all day. Despite what you may think, it doesn’t really cool the air. According to HVAC experts, it’s actually creating the effect of cooling on your body. Here’s why: As air moves across your skin, it speeds up the evaporation of sweat. Experts liken it to the way moisture-wicking athletic clothing helps pull moisture away from your body. The result? You feel cooler, even though the room temperature itself hasn’t changed. Your air conditioner works differently. Rather than cooling your body, it’s removing heat and humidity from your home. A ceiling fan can help circulate that air while you’re in the room, but by itself, it won’t turn an 80º room into a 75º one. The truth is, your fan isn't really cooling the house. If no one is there to enjoy the breeze, there are downsides to leaving it running. First, it’s not free to run, and it can add $10 to $20 a month to your electric bill. In addition, it can actually warm the room. The electric motor produces heat, and that can offset some of the cooling you’re trying to maintain. Running the fan also adds wear and tear, which means more strain on bearings, more vibration over time, and a chance of needing maintenance sooner than expected. Finally, leaving the ceiling fan running can stir up dust, which just makes the motor work harder. The experts’ advice? Save the breeze for when you’re actually in the room, and let your air conditioner do the job it was designed to do.
