Beat the Heat...Beat Global Warming...with Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans and air-conditioners have been the main cooling equipment for decades. First came the fans and then the air conditioners. Air conditioners dominated the cooling equipment sector but it should not be promoted due to the enormous consumption of electricity and supporting the causes of emission of greenhouse gases.

Almost one-sixth of U.S. Electricity is consumed by the air conditioners per year. During peak periods in scorching summers this figure raise to 40%. The ongoing trend of rising global temperatures and intense heat waves can increase the consumption further.

The rapidly increasing energy demand in U.S. is creating more environmental pressure. Almost 30% of the country's greenhouse gases & 70% of the acid rain is caused by the electricity generation from fossil fuels. Half of the US energy is produced from coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel. The power plants generating electricity from coal produce two-third of sulfur oxide emissions; one-third of nitrogen oxide, main component of acid rain and smog; one-third of the country's mercury emissions, which settle in waterways and contaminate the food chain; and one-third of carbon dioxide emissions, the primary global warming reason.

If comparing the figures given in previous two paragraphs, one can easily estimate that how-much the use of air-conditioners is responsible for global warming.

Just reverse are the ceiling fans, not only a quiet, elegant and inexpensive means but an excellent energy savers. A ceiling fan at maximum speed uses 50 to 75 watts per day, as much as an incandescent bulb, that is one-tenth as much as a medium size air conditioner. Running 12 hours a day cost almost $1.50 a month, much less compared to $25 for an air conditioner.

Also the ceiling fans work on a different principle. Ceiling fans, one of the popular electric fans, cool by creating light breezes that evaporate moisture from the skin. On the other hand air conditioners consume huge amounts of energy to push the heat from indoor air and blow it outside. The circulating air generated by ceiling fans feels 9 degree cooler. Combined with other energy efficient means, ceiling fans can yield even greater savings.

The electricity generated for the average household in US expel 13,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, 77 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and 47 pounds of nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere each year. Isn't this our duty to do our bit to save our environment? And that too without sacrificing comfort, and saving some dollars.