Benefits of Using Fans to Stay Comfortable in Summer Heat

As the summer heat arrives, the question of how to stay cool without sending the electric bill through the roof arises. Whether you’re trying to keep a restaurant, small business, warehouse or your work environment cool or you are in your home, using fans to stay comfortable is a simple and effective way to beat the summer heat. Fans have become an essential summer accessory for people of all ages.

Instant Cooling Wherever You Are

One of the biggest advantages of using fans to stay comfortable is that it provides immediate airflow wherever you are. Unlike air conditioning units that are fixed in one location, portable fans can be moved from one place to another, with many having carry handles built into the design. Being able to direct the airflow of the fan to a specific area can be the difference between comfort and misery.

Energy-Efficient Comfort

Running an air conditioner all day can significantly increase your energy bills. Portable fans use only a fraction of the electricity, making them an affordable way to stay cool. They can also complement your air conditioning by circulating cool air more effectively, allowing you to raise the thermostat without sacrificing comfort.

Versatile for Every Situation

Portable fans come in a variety of styles and features to suit different needs. The most popular feature people look for is oscillation. This is where the fan head rotates back and forth allowing the fan to cool a larger space. Almost all oscillating fans can be locked into one position for times when you want the fan just blowing on you and then can be unlocked when you want to share the cooling effects with others. Other features to consider are a tilting fan head to direct the airflow, a remote control and other programmable features like a timer, thermostat and more.

Sizes for All Needs

The size of a portable fan is usually listed as the blade size. For instance, a 12” fan will have a blade that is 12” but the overall size of the fan will be larger. Popular sizes for portable fans range from 6” for personal comfort all the way up to 30” to cool industrial spaces like warehouses, gyms and so forth. Choosing the size you need is determined by the size of the area, how many people you want to cool and what application it is being used in (residential, commercial, industrial). The good news is there are plenty to choose from.

Affordable and Practical

Portable fans are available at a wide range of price points, making them an accessible cooling solution for nearly any budget. Their durability and versatility provide excellent value, especially during the hottest months of the year.

Final Thoughts

Using a fan to stay comfortable is a small investment that can make a big difference during the summer months. Whether you’re looking to stay comfortable at work or home or reduce your reliance on air conditioning, a portable fan offers a practical and reliable way to keep cool all season long.

This summer, don’t let the heat slow you down. With a portable fan by your side, you can stay more comfortable, and ready for whatever the day brings. Lasko Brand including Air King, B-Air and BlueDri offer an extensive line of residential, commercial and industrial grade fans. Visit airkinglimited.com to learn more about using fans to stay comfortable.

Room-By-Room Home Audit - Part 3, The Mechanical Room

We are continuing our series on making your home more efficient and comfortable.

Last time we went through items in the kitchen. Now we are moving to the mechanical room, which is just a fancy term for where your items like the furnace and water heater are located. These items can make a large impact on the efficiency of the home. Here are a few ways to improve:

1.     Heating (furnace)/Air Conditioner Unit: Sure it would be great if everyone went out and replaced their unit with a high-efficiency one. We know that is not a practical solution but there are ways to increase the efficiency of your current one:

a.     Have your unit serviced by a professional. They will be able to make sure it is operating at optimal efficiency as well as prolong the life.

b.     Change Air Filters regularly. This will be dependent on how often the unit is running but a good rule of thumb is to change them at least every 3 months. An easy way to remember is to change them every season.

c.      Check the thermostat. While this is technically not located in the mechanical room, we are including it here because it controls the items in this room. Installing a programmable thermostat or a smart thermostat can really impact your heating and cooling costs. These thermostats will adjust to your living, keeping the home comfortable while you are there and then adjusting the temperature and energy usage when you are away.

d.     If it is time to replace your unit, make sure you talk to your installer about the efficiency of what they want to replace it with.  You might need to spend a little more up front, but considering how much your HVAC system is used, that extra money spent for a more efficient unit will more than pay itself off in the long run.

2.     Water Heater: As with the furnace, it would be great if everyone replaced their water heater with a high-efficiency one but again that might not be practical. Here are some things you can do:

a.     Set the temperature to 120 degrees or lower. This way the heater is not overheating the water – wasting energy.

b.     Many new water heaters have significant insulation built into the unit. If you have an older one, consider wrapping the unit with an approved insulating product (usually available at your local home improvement center).

c.      Turn the temperature down when you are away. If you are going on vacation, turn the heater to the lowest setting. Just remember to turn it back up once you return.

d.     Insulate hot water pipes. This will reduce the amount of time and water you need to run before you get hot water.

e.     If it is time to replace your unit, make sure you talk to your installer about the efficiency of what they want to replace it with. Like the furnace, you might need to spend a little more up front, but considering how much your water heater is used, that extra money spent for a more efficient unit will more than pay itself off in the long run.

f.      HVAC Joke – Don’t call it a Hot Water Heater, just refer to it as a water heater. If you do call it a “Hot Water Heater”, you will get the reply – “If it is already hot water, why do you need a heater?”

3.     Fresh Air: Newer homes are being built to a much higher insulation level – this is a good thing. You might hear it called a “Tight” house. Basically, it means that drafts are eliminated. While this is very good for the heating and cooling of the home, it presents a problem for bringing fresh air into the home. In tight homes, a source of fresh air is needed. Many builders are bringing that fresh air in through the mechanical room. Some units utilize the HVAC system, some work independently (such as the Air King FAS and QFAM units). Things to look for in fresh air or make-up air systems include:

a.     What is the efficiency? These units run continuously or for large parts of the day, so you want to make sure the energy being used is minimum.

b.     How does the unit bring the air into the home? Does it need the HVAC to be running? This can be a big one. Even with higher efficiency HVAC units, the fan used to push the air through the home can be very inefficient so if the unit bringing the fresh air in needs to kick this on to operate, it can reduce the overall efficiency.

c.      What type of controls are in place? Does the unit have systems in place that limit the temperature of the air coming in (too cold or too hot)? The Air King QFAM has a controller that can be set for temperature and humidity levels.

Don’t miss our next post when we will take a look at other areas of the home.

To learn more about ways to make your home more efficient, saving money and energy, visit www.airkinglimited.com.