One of the best ways we have found to keep our frugal home comfortable in the winter is too install ceiling fans. Our home has approximately five ceiling fans.
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.
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.
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.
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