Stay Cool for Next to Nothing

Power Down the AC on National Ceiling Fan Day

The kids are back in school, football season is starting and fall is around the corner, which means it is time to turn down the air conditioner and rely a little more on your ceiling fan to save energy and money.
 
This September 18 marks the second annual National Ceiling Fan Day (NCFD). More than 20 ceiling fan manufacturers, the American Lighting Association (ALA) and leading energy conservation groups invite everyone to join the fight to reduce energy consumption by turning off their central cooling systems and staying cool with ceiling, floor, desk and wall fans to save trillions of kilowatt hours of energy consumption.
 
As extra incentive to participate in the energy-saving effort, many fan retailers are offering discounts to consumers in conjunction with NCFD. You can find a list of local ALA-member fan retailers online at AmericanLightingAssoc.com.
 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using ceiling fans to reduce or eliminate the need to use your AC, because ceiling fans consume far less electricity. Many ceiling fans consume as few as 15 watts of electricity, while AC systems can use upwards of 5,000 watts when used for the same amount of time.
 
While saving energy is a good thing, saving money is not bad either. Operating a fan can cost as little as $1 per month. That is quite a savings compared to approximately $100 per month to run an AC unit in a typical home. To maximize your savings, use an Energy Star-certified fan. Ceiling fans that have earned the Energy Star® label are 60-percent more efficient than conventional fans.
 
Initiated by fan manufacturer Fanimation, NCFD is supported by the ALA and many additional ALA-member fan manufacturers including Casablanca/Hunter Fan Company; Craftmade; Emerson Ceiling Fans; Feiss-Monte Carlo; Kichler; Matthews Fan Company; Minka-Aire; Progress Lighting; Quorum International; Regency Ceiling Fans; Savoy House; Sea Gull Lighting; The Modern Fan Co.; Vaxcel International; and Westinghouse Lighting, as well as The Home Depot and Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
 
Many of the nation’s leaders in energy conservation and efficiency are also on board. Those supporters include the EPA’s Energy Star Program; Alliance to Save Energy; Affordable Comfort, Inc.; and Environmental and Energy Study Institute.
 
The purpose of NCFD is to bring national attention to escalating energy costs and consumption. The day is devoted to saving energy and raising awareness about how ceiling fans can fit into an overall energy and cost-savings plan. If every American participates in NCFD by turning off their AC and using fans for their cooling needs, the United States will save enough energy to power the entire city of New York for months.
 
For more information about how to save energy with ceiling fans and for a list of ALA-member fan retailers and manufacturers, go to AmericanLightingAssoc.com.