How to use a box fan in a window

Looking to stay cool this summer? Check out our guide which explains how to use a box fan in a window to increase airflow and decrease temperature. #fan #fans #energysaving #savingmoney #summertips #energysavingtips #coolingtips #homeimprovement #whatfans

Looking to stay cool this summer?

Are you looking for inexpensive and effective ways to cool your home? Looking for the best box fan for sleeping? Have you heard that alternatives to air conditioning units can be effective? Box fans may be simple, but they can be a good way to get the air in your room moving. They can give you a bit of comfort during hot conditions, especially when used in a window. There are specific ways to get the most out of your box fan in a window, so this post is dedicated to showing you how to use a box fan in a window, getting the maximum effect possible. I was pretty impressed at the impact of a box fan in a window and I wanted to share this info with others, to help people stay cool, comfortable, and healthy in hotter climates.

There are many advantages to using a box fan in your window. Here are a few:

  • It can help to cool your home. When you place a box fan in a window, it will draw in cool air from outside and push hot air out of your home. This can help to lower the temperature inside your home and make it more comfortable to live in.
  • It can help to improve air circulation. A box fan can also help to improve air circulation in your home. When you place a fan in a window, it will circulate the air throughout your home, which can help to reduce the amount of dust and allergens in the air.
  • It can help to save energy. If you use your air conditioner less when you have a box fan in your window, you can save money on your energy bills.
  • It can help to be more environmentally friendly. Using a box fan instead of your air conditioner is a more environmentally friendly option. Air conditioners use a lot of energy, while box fans use very little energy.

If you are looking for a way to cool your home, improve air circulation, save energy, and be more environmentally friendly, consider using a box fan in your window.

Here’s A List Of The Best Box Fans This Year:

What you will need to follow this tutorial

  • A box fan or fans – One will have some benefit, but I recommend having more than one box fan set up in order to maximize the effects.
  • A window – A suitable window should be identified.
  • A way to secure the fan in place – This could be as simple as ensuring it fits the window properly.

Step by step instructions

  1. Choose the right fan (and number of fans)

There are a number of different box fans out there. Most are pretty basic in their design and are made to be simple and affordable. That said, there are some models which are far superior and more hard-wearing than their competitors. I’ve reviewed a variety of box fans to help you make the right choice. For build quality, multiple speed settings, and ease-of-use, I like Lasko box fans. The video below shows some of the benefits of their Weather-Shield fan, including its volume, as Lasko fans aren’t overly noisy. This fan also stands up to tough weather conditions, which is vital if you’re using it in a window. I recommend using two box fans, at least. Though one can offer some benefit, this post explains how two can be more efficient and take advantage of the evening outdoor air temperature.

2. Understand airflow

Increased airflow is definitely your goal when it comes to using a box fan in a window. Ultimately, as this information from Lasko explains, you should be looking to create more airflow and circulate fresh air into your home quicker. This is something that can be achieved by using a box fan, which has the capacity to either draw outside air into a room or pull the hot inside air out. The video below explains this phenomenon and how it can be used to your advantage, depending on where you are in the world. The best method is to draw fresh, cooler air in and push out warm, stale air simultaneously by using multiple box fans. Looking to stay cool this summer? Check out our guide which explains how to use a box fan in a window to increase airflow and decrease temperature. #fan #fans #energysaving #savingmoney #summertips #energysavingtips #coolingtips #homeimprovement #whatfans Image credit: lasko.com

3. Consider placement

The placement of your window box fan is pretty self-explanatory, right? Put it in a window! Well, this is correct, but some windows are more suitable than others. Your window does need to be suitable for mounting a fan (more on that shortly), but it’s more about the temperature in and around your window. This is especially the case if you plan to use a few box fans in multiple windows and there are smart ways to do this to ensure you get the most out of them. The best placement for a fan that blows inward is on a shaded side of the house, which means the air outside is likely to be cooler. The fan blowing air out should be on the sunnier side of the house. This creates a cross breeze, which can work fantastically. If you plan to use box fans on multiple levels of your home, always have the fans on the higher floors drawing the warm air out, while lower level fans draw air in. Heat will always rise, so this advice is the same no matter where you live.

4. Mount your fan securely

Using a window fan has one major advantage over using a box fan in a window. They are designed to be used in a window and mounted and they usually have adjustable sides to latch on to your window frame. Mounting your box fan is just a case of finding a way to ensure it won’t move. If you are clever about the size you buy and match this up to your window, you shouldn’t have too many issues. If the area you live in isn’t prone to strong wind, you may just be able to place your box fan in your window. Alternatively, people have come up with some clever ways to keep their box fan in place, using string or even an old hanger, as explained in the video below.

5. Be smart about the use of your box fan

The multiple ways to use a box fan means that you should be smart about how and when to use it. Pay attention to when the temperature drops outside, when it may make more sense to position the fan to pull that cool air in. This article explains more about this and when it could be time to switch the positioning of your fan. Having multiple box fans will give you the most control over the airflow. Experiment with the climate where you live and see what is most comfortable. If you use a box fan, they can be a much cheaper alternative to other cooling methods. Looking to stay cool this summer? Check out our guide which explains how to use a box fan in a window to increase airflow and decrease temperature. #fan #fans #energysaving #savingmoney #summertips #energysavingtips #coolingtips #homeimprovement #whatfans Image credit: hunker.com

FAQs

Which way should I position my window fan?

Ideally, you should be able to switch the way your fan is facing, depending on the time of day and the air temperature outside. If it is hot and humid inside, face the fan out to push the warm air outside. If it is cool outside and you want to draw this air in, face the airflow inwards.

What is the best way to use a box fan?

Box fans should be used to complement your other cooling methods. Using more than one box fan will let you get the most out of them, as you can draw cooler air in and push hot air out, simultaneously. The way your box fans face should vary, depending on the time of day and outdoor temperature.

Do box fans cool a room?

Box fans are a good way to cool a room, especially if it is cool outside the room. They aren’t a total replacement for an air conditioner, but they do a good job of making you feel cool and bringing in fresh air. The temperature itself may not drop, but this fresher air can help us perspire more and feel more comfortable.

How to use a box fan in a window? Final words

Did you enjoy this how-to guide? People shouldn’t have to spend a lot to cool their home, so I wanted to share the benefits of box fans and information on how to use a box fan in a window. If you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it with your friends who may also enjoy it, or leave a comment below.

Box fans we recommend on amazon-

Genesis Box Fan

Sale Genesis 20' Box Fan, 3 Settings, Max Cooling Technology, Carry Handle, White (G20BOX-WHT)
  • 20 Inch
  • Carry Handle
  • 3 Settings
  • 3 Star Energy Efficient
  • Durable & Lightweight

Product Review – 4.6 Stars Price – Around $40

CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT ON amazon

Lasko Air Circulating Box Fan

Sale Lasko Air Circulating 20 INCH Box Fan, White
  • 20 Inch
  • Carry Handle
  • 3 Quiet Speeds
  • 2 Year Warranty
  • Good quality & one of the cheapest box fans

Product Review – 4.0 Stars Price – Around $30

CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT ON amazon

Small Box Fan for Window – Elanket Box Window Table Cooling Fan 

  • 10 Inch
  • Plug In Portable Fan
  • 3 Speeds
  • 12 Months Warranty

Product Review – 4.2 Stars Price – Around $30

CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT ON amazon

70+ Tips About How To Save Money On Air Conditioning Ultimate Guide

How to save money on AC? 70+tip guide that will help you to lower your cooling costs #fan #fans #energysaving #savingmoney #summertips #energysavingtips #coolingtips #homeimprovement #airconditioning

Looking to Save Money on Air Conditioning?

This article will give you the tips you need to save money on air conditioning. Here, you will gain 70+ tips on how to lower your AC bill and keep your cooling costs down. Not long ago, during a routine check over my household bills, I noticed that air conditioning is costing me quite a lot of money, month-to-month. I knew it didn’t need to and set about finding the best ways to save money on air conditioning. It is great to be able to help readers save money whenever I can, so, in this article, I’m sharing these tips and findings. Some of the statistics about air conditioning usage are shocking. For instance, on average, cooling your home accounts for 6% of household bills. And this may be a conservative estimate! As well as the impact on your bank balance, it is important to think about using less power for environmental reasons and even to prevent power outages, which have been a problem in Southern California in times of high energy consumption.

How to Lower Your AC bill And Keep Your Cooling Costs Down!

Let’s explorer how to save on AC bill in summer. We will talk about –

  • How you can use fans to reduce the AC bill, 
  • What to insulate in your house and how to do energy audit, 
  • How to maintain your AC properly,
  • How to use AC to reduce electricity bill, 
  • How to cool yourself that can also result in using less AC and
  • Financial result aide available to pay cooling bills

How Fans Help Cool Down the House And Lower Your AC bill

How to save air conditioning bill – Fans may be seen as the ‘old fashioned’ way to cool your home, compared to high-tech air conditioning units, but they can still be very effective. Fans don’t work in the way many people think they do and there are common misconceptions. Fans don’t actually impact the temperature of your room. Instead, they move the air in the room. This air circulation increases evaporation of moisture from your body and, in turn, gives you the sensation of feeling cooler. Fans can be especially helpful in humid conditions.

Check Out This List Of The Best Fans This Year:

lower your AC bill

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends another way to use a fan that many people do not think of. They suggest to use the fan to draw cooler air from outside into the room, especially in the evening. This is published as a part of their guidelines on avoiding illness related to heat. There is quite a lot to understand regarding fans. Different fan types and fan positions are covered in this guide to choosing a fan for a room, which can help you make the right choice for the environment you live in and your needs. The guide can also help you get the most out of your fan. Also, read this article from Lasko “Use Fans with Air Conditioning to Boost the Cooling Effect” for more insights. If you are concerned about your utility bills while running a fan, check out our post about how much electricity a fan uses to understand how it affects your electricity consumption.

Fans Can Lower Your AC Bill And Keep Your
Cooling Costs Down!

lower your AC bill

How to Cool With Window Fans

Window fans are a very popular way to cool your home in an extremely economical way. When using a window fan, you are simply using the air outside your home to create a breeze and a more comfortable feeling in your living room or bedroom. Window fans and exhaust fans are explained in some detail in this handy guide issued by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The guide also mentions that many of the top window fans out there are reversible. This means that you can set them to either draw cool air in or pull hot air out of a room. To find a fan with these capabilities, explore this list of the best window fans, which shows what you can expect from a top window fan model and how it can be installed in your home. Energy.gov guidelines also cover how to cool with a variety of fans, including window fans. You can also use a box fan the same way you would use a window fan. To make sure the box fan stays in place inside the window, check the video by Matt from Home Farm Ideas. If you need to cool a big area and you only have box fans, here’s a neat trick I found on Pinterest. Buy 4 box fans, 6 wooden planks, and a few screws and create a big DIY fan: keep your cooling costs down

Image via pinterest.com

How to Cool With Tower Fans

Tower fans are a very popular method people use to cool their homes and other buildings. They are economical and can be a good way to save on air conditioning. The economizing features of this type of fan are boosted by the fact that many tower fans, especially the best ones on the market, offer some form of timer. This means that, for instance, if you are using the fan to help you to fall asleep at night, but only need it for a couple of hours until the temperature drops, you can set it to turn off automatically. Naturally, this means a far lower use of electricity than if the fan was running all night long. Tower fans are also a good alternative to ceiling fans. Ceiling fans are great for saving space in the room, but if you don’t already have one installed, it can be expensive to install one. A tower fan will do a similar job, as it will rotate and increase the airflow in the whole room, even if it is a larger room. Tower fans vary a lot in price and there are some elite tower fan brands in the marketplace, such as Dyson. The top options are all explored here.

keep your cooling costs down

Image via yourbestdigs.com

How to Cool With Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are another method recommended by the official energy.gov site.

Advantages of Using Ceiling Fans

There is no denying the fact that these fans are effective.

  • They cool in a way that doesn’t interrupt your floor space, like other types of fan will. This could be ideal for smaller places with limited space.
  • They are ideal for making the air move if your place has high ceilings
  • As recommended in this government approved guide to cooling your home, ceiling fans can be used alongside air conditioners to help you use the air conditioner less, or at a lower level.
  • Can be a great element of the interior decoration of the room

Save Money On Air Conditioning

Downsides of using ceiling fans

But, ceiling fans can be a hit and miss option.

  • They can be less economical than other types of fan and, depending on which model you buy, they may not have certain useful features, such as timers.
  • Ceiling fans are also nowhere near as easy to install as many of the other types of fans and need to be carefully and even professionally installed in the room, to avoid any safety hazards.
  • The government approved guide also recommends that you pay close attention to the noise of your fan. Some ceiling fans can be really noisy, which may not be something you want.
  • Another downside is the fact that (obviously) they aren’t portable and you will need one for each room you wish to cool.

Ensure that you only install a ceiling fan in a room where it is likely to be used a lot. It is a waste to install one in an unoccupied room. Look at the rooms where you spend the most time, which is probably your bedroom and living room.

Smart Ceiling Fans

If you wish to go down the modern route, there are smart fans, which can be used via an app. The app will allow you to turn it on and off remotely, control speed without having to reach up to the fan, and even set a timer. By the way, you don’t even need to buy a smart fan. You can convert your regular ceiling fan into a smart one by using a special device called The BOND. The only requirements for using it are that your ceiling fan is remote-controlled and you have WiFi at home.

How to Cool with Exhaust Fans

An exhaust fan is often used to extract the air from a room, draw out humidity, and avoid condensation. They are popular in kitchens and bathrooms. Often, an exhaust fan can also be a good way to cool the house, by drawing out hot air. This is especially true if your home creates a lot of heat, for example, if you use a lot of electronics that give off extra heat. Many people opt to use an exhaust fan as a window fan. As briefly stated already, some of these can be used either to draw air out of a room, or draw cooler air in from the outside. You can also use an exhaust fan to make a room to room ventilation fan that can help to evenly distribute the temperature throughout the room. Dan from shopChimeney.com shows us how do it in the video below.

How to Cool with Whole-House Fans & Keep
Costs Down

Whole-house fans are a common alternative to air conditioners, due to the fact that they cover a large area. They are also recommended by the energy.gov site, as they are cheaper to buy and run. These fans use the outdoor air from windows to improve the airflow in a home, to create up to 60 different air changes per hour, if done correctly. tips on how to lower your AC bill

Image via www.nrel.gov

How Whole-House Fans Work

Whole-house fans work by pulling air in from outside through your existing windows, as well as through the attic and roof. As well as increasing airflow, this guide explains how whole-house fans can be a good way to ventilate areas that otherwise wouldn’t be ventilated, such as the attic. The fact that whole-house fans draw in air from the windows means that to control them, you can simply close some windows. Check out this video by quietcoolfan.com that briefly explains how a whole-house fan works.

Using Whole-House Fans

To get the most out of one of these fans, you may have to do other things to increase the circulation of air. Many people twin them with ceiling fans, for instance. This can increase airflow and it allows for fresh air to enter your home more regularly.

Pros of Whole-House Fans
  • Cheaper to run than other types of fans
  • They ventilate various areas (such as an attic) that are usually hard to ventilate
  • Easy to control by simply closing windows
Drawbacks of Whole-House Fans

Whole-house fans aren’t always the ideal solution and while they have some positive points, there are negatives, too.

  • These types of fan tend to be quite loud, compared to air conditioners and other fans.
  • They can also be quite tricky to install and require the installation of vents in the attic.
  • Over winter, these vents can also allow the cold to enter more easily.

tips on how to lower your AC bill

Use Energy STAR-Certified Ventilation Fans
To Be More Efficient & Save You Money

If you’re using any sort of ventilation fan, you should always be on the lookout for an Energy STAR rating. This will be advertised by the manufacturer, as it is a big deal! If a ventilation fan has this rating, it means that it has been tested on its performance when it comes to energy consumption. It means it is more efficient, better for the environment, and cheaper to run, as compared to competing products without the rating. A ventilation fan with an Energy STAR rating also means that it produces less noise, performs better, and has a longer lifespan than other fans.

Looking to save money

Image via energystar.gov

Insulate and Weatherize

Insulating is a term we often associate with keeping heat in, but it also generally makes your home’s temperature far easier to control, whether that means warmer in the winter or cooler in the summer. Knowing where to insulate is made far easier by this guide by energy.gov. Here, I provided an infographic based on the guide.

Looking to save money

Did you know that 30% of all heat in a home is absorbed up into the roof, normally into your attic? This means you should have proper ventilation. As explored on thebalance.com, ridge vents, whole-house fans, and even attic fans can keep down the costs of cooling your home. Air may also be leaking out of your home in places you didn’t think of.

Indoor to outdoor connections

Spaces where plumbing, electrical, and vents that connect from indoors to outdoors can make holes in the wall. This means that air can be escaping, making it tough to control the heat. Filling these gaps in with caulk will give you much more control.

Ducting

If you have ducting, often used where there is an air conditioner, it may be costing you a big chunk of the money you are spending on cooling your home. Especially with older AC units, ducting can have looser joints or other cracks and gaps where the cool air can escape, leading to higher bills. Minimizing these losses can help you to save money on air conditioning. Check out our 70+ tips on how to lower your AC bill and keep your cooling costs down

Image via energy.gov

Windows and Doors

Windows and doors are other areas where air can sneak through and make it is tougher for your AC to cool economically. If you can, weatherstrip around any doors and windows you suspect of causing these issues. If you have older windows and doors, you may even think about replacing them. This can cost a bit up front, but may save you money on both cooling and heating, in the long term.

Take Extra Care of the Windows

Even if you’re using an air conditioner, it can still be useful to make the most of your windows. Many of us don’t even use them in the most effective ways. You should use solar screens, these are mesh-style screens that can block out around 70% of the heat created by solar energy at the window and stop it from entering the house. This is best on windows which face either east or west. A similar effect can be achieved with a reflective tint, which can also keep windows cooler. Blinds and curtains can actually keep the heat gain down by almost half. If you close your blinds and block out the sun, it can stop a lot of heat from entering your home. close blinds to keep ac cost down

Assuming you live somewhere with average temperatures, you probably don’t need to have your aircon on 24 hours a day. Instead, your best bet is to open your windows at night and turn the AC unit off. In the morning, when it starts to get hotter, draw the curtains or blinds and turn the air conditioning back on.

Adjust AC Settings – Best Setting For Air Conditioner To Save Money

Advice from the Department of Energy says that, while you are home, a temperature of 78 degrees should be comfortable. If you need to go out, raising it to 85F while you are away can save a lot of energy. It can result in as much as a 15% saving on your energy bill. All you need to do is raise the thermostat once you leave. Simple and inexpensive actions can help you save energy and money during the warm spring and summer months

Image via energy.gov

Don’t Add Extra Heat

Modern homes can sometimes make it easy to add extra heat to the equation. Try to avoid this. The following tips can help to stop your air conditioner from working harder than it needs to:

  • Try to avoid using an indoor oven when it’s hot. Why not use a slow cooker or make use of an outdoor grill if you have one, during hotter months? Even a microwave is a better option when it comes to heat generation.
  • Use the ‘air dry’ setting on your dryer and other appliances, such as your dishwasher. You can dry clothes outdoors for even better heat prevention.
  • Switch to LED bulbs or CFLs. This is an easy and effective switch you can make. An unbelievable 90% of the energy consumed by older lightbulbs is converted to heat, instead of light, according to this study.
  • Remember that electronics can generate a lot of heat. Turn off all computers, screens, and consoles when they aren’t being used.
Pay Attention to Humidity

Keeping a good level of humidity in the room is key to comfort. In places where humidity is already high, an air conditioner may well remove some of this moisture and cool the room down. Pairing it with a dehumidifier can help increase the effects. Monitor the humidity and change the fan speed based on how humid it is in the room. Slow air is better at removing moisture. Paradoxically, if it is too dry in the air, adding moisture to the air can keep you much more comfortable. It is all about finding the correct level. If you need to add moisture, a swamp cooler or humidifier can sometimes mean your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to get you to a comfortable temperature.

Use Thermostats Smartly

In this age of the modern home, a smart thermostat is basically a must. The best thermostats allow far more control and insight into the temperature of your home. It is vital to put your thermostat in the right place, too. A thermostat on a wall close to a hot window can sometimes mean that it will kick in too frequently, thinking the room is warmer than it is. Follow this guide to placing your thermostat. smart thermostat

Keep AC Vents Clear and Clean to Let Them
Work Easier

One of the easiest ways to clean your vents is to vacuum them, to clear away any dust and debris. This can help keep the airflow clean and steady. Make sure your cooled air isn’t obstructed. Ensure that furniture, curtains, or any other items in the way of the vent are moved, so that the full effect of the vent is felt. You don’t want to spend all that money just to only cool the back of your couch! You can buy the Home Intuition Adjustable Magnetic Heat and Air Deflector for Vents, which help direct the cool air and ensure it is circulated.

Sale Home Intuition Adjustable Magnetic Heat and Air Deflector for Vents, Sidewall, and Ceiling...
Change Your Placement in the House

As you probably know, heat rises. This means that it is easier to keep the temperature low downstairs. It also means you can potentially leave your thermostat at a higher temperature during the day and then lower it at night, if you are going upstairs to bed. Some people move to the basement where it is naturally cooler, just as long as you don’t open any basement windows when it is humid outdoors and let all that humidity in. Cooling just one room with a window AC unit costs significantly less than cooling your whole house. This means that one of the best ways to save money is to stay in one room. You can shut off cooling ducts in any room you don’t spend time in.

Cool Your Body

Cooling yourself first may still be the most effective and easy ways to reach a comfortable, healthy temperature. Try cooling yourself with cold water. Here some ways that can be effective to keep your body temperature down:

  • Take a brisk, cold shower
  • Put a cold cloth on your neck
  • You can also keep some icy water in a spray bottle to mist yourself throughout the day.
Outside of the House –
Take Care of Your AC Condenser

In order to adequately cool your home, your AC unit’s condenser should be in a shaded area of your yard, so that it can efficiently dispose of the hot air it is drawing out of your house. Ensure that you don’t have anything in the way of the unit, as this can lead to the obstruction of the airflow. All plants and items in your yard should be at least 2-3 feet from the unit, so as not to disturb the flow. This full guide from Husky Air shows how you can landscape in a way that is suitable for your air conditioner. Take Care of Your AC Condenser

Image via huskyair.com Be sure not to neglect your air conditioner coil, either, as stated in this guide from John Moore Services, as this can lead to extra money spent on your utility bill.

Maximize Outside Shade

There are ways you can make your outdoor areas more shady to block out some of the sun’s heat on your home. Estimates say that this can lower your cooling costs by between 15 and 50%, especially if your home is west or south facing. According to energy.gov, tree shade can make your neighborhood 3-6 degrees cooler.

Maximize Outside Shade

Image via energy.gov Don’t use materials in your landscaping that might radiate heat. If possible, things like rock, cement, and asphalt should be kept away from the south and west-facing sides of your home, especially if it is not shaded. This is one of the tips on Eartheasy’s guide to natural home cooling. Maximize Outside Shade

Image via learn.eartheasy.com Create shaded areas by installing gazebos or pergolas, particularly on the sunniest side of your home. During the summer, awnings can also make a huge difference and they can be permanent or retractable. The Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA) estimates that they can save you up to $200 over the course of a year.

Cooling Energy savings with awnings

Image via awnings.ifai.com

Cooling Energy savings with awnings

Image via awnings.ifai.com Alternatively, a trellis and climbing vines can create another shaded area, either on a patio or on your home itself.

Examine Your Exterior Color

Your home’s exterior color is something that many people totally ignore when they are looking at the heating and cooling of their home. However, according to Gardenista.com, darker colors absorb heat and create a far hotter home, in general. Light exterior paint or wood can be far more effective at cooling. Roof color is important in the same way. According to the government advice, implementing a “cool roof” in a lighter color or with a reflective material could make your roof up to 50 degrees cooler.

Install Solar Panels on Your Roof To Save
Money on Electricity

Instead of heating up your home, the sun’s rays can actually help with cooling it, through the use of solar panels. When the sun’s energy hits the panels, they can turn it into power. This may, according to treehugger.com, potentially save you money on your bills by both reducing cooling needs and providing power for other things, such as fans or air conditioning.

Pay Attention to Your AC
Maintenance and Upkeep

If you neglect your air conditioner and let it fall into disrepair, you may cost yourself extra money on your bills without noticing it. Your air conditioner can use up to 16.9% of the total electricity in your home, as we can see on this Residential Site Electricity Consumption chart. Pay Attention to Your AC Maintenance and Upkeep

Image via eia.gov That is a significant percentage. But, there are things you can do to either maintain or upgrade your AC system, to make it more efficient. If the temperature is rising and your air conditioner is starting to see more use, these tips from hometips.com can help you to prepare it for summer usage. A lot of this preparation involves simple cleaning, particularly of the filters. In fact, if you clean your AC’s filters once a month, energy.gov estimates that you can reduce the energy it consumes by between 5% and 15%. You should be sure that your air conditioning unit is up to the task and it’s important to check its efficiency from time to time. You can do some basic tests on your AC’s performance yourself and, if you spot any issues, it could be time to speak to your local HVAC technician. Once you’ve run these checks, you might decide that it’s time to buy a new air conditioner. If this will save you money in the long run, it may be worth the initial investment. Cleaning AC filters

Image via energy.gov

Will A New AC Save Me Money?
Upgrading Your AC Can Keep Your Cooling
Costs Down

When you are shopping for an air conditioner, you can judge what is best by looking at its energy rating, or the SEER number (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). Look for a number that is 13 or higher, or 14+ if you live somewhere particularly hot. This rating can go up to well above 20 SEER and makes for units that are cheaper to run, but more expensive to buy, up front. According to Natural Resources Canada, you should look out for an EER (another efficiency rating given to air conditioning units) of at least 10.7. Another simple thing you can look out for when choosing an air conditioner system is its Energy Star rating. Energy Star room units typically use around 10% less electricity than the minimum standards outlined by the government and they can cost $75 less per year to run. Energy Star central units can use up to 8% less energy than non-certified models and, therefore, also save you money in the long run. Energy.gov’s advice about air conditioners states that moving to a high-efficiency, high SEER-rated AC unit can save you between 20% and 50%, each year. If you have an old AC unit, you’re likely to notice huge savings. Consider Upgrading Your AC

Image via energy.gov

Do a Home Energy Audit

A home energy audit is an examination of your home, to see the areas which could use the most improvement, in terms of saving energy and, therefore, money. The audit looks at the room-by-room energy use in your home and there are contracted energy auditors out there who can do the work for you and give you a reliable report. There is also the option to do the audit yourself, if you are so inclined. Home energy audit DIY

Image via energy.gov

Check for Financial Aid

Many people don’t know about the financial aid opportunities out there to help them save money when it comes to air conditioning.

Weatherization Assistance Program

save money on air conditioning

If you’re looking to tackle both your heating and cooling costs, you may be eligible for funding through the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), created by the Department of Energy. This program was designed to help those who are struggling financially, as well as elderly and disabled people, to boost the efficiency of their homes and keep safe during extreme and uncomfortable weather. Information on the program can be found here, where you will see that the average annual savings is $283. To find the contact in your state, head to the directory on their site, where you can search by area.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

lower your AC bill

There are other federal funds you can tap into to save money. For instance, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can provide help to those in need, when it comes to paying bills or even making repairs. This program is designed for people facing poverty. To qualify, your income needs to be 60% or less of the median income for the state in which you live. In addition, grantees must meet “no less than 110 percent of the FPG (Federal Poverty Guidelines)” as described by the Target Population section of the fact sheet.

  • This fact sheet can help you to understand the rules of the LIHEAP
  • There is a helpline you can call, at (202) 401-9351
  • Their state directory can also give you the contact info needed if you’re looking to apply for this assistance.
Other Assistance and Grants

There are also religious and charitable organizations who have funds for one-off situations where you find yourself needing extra money, for instance, an unexpected bill. Modest Needs is one such organization that can provide grants of up to $1,000, often for repairs. If you have a condition or a reason why it is essential that your air conditioning issues are sorted, Modest Needs may be able to help, at least as a one-time solution. Another organization is Rebuilding Together. It’s a charity that works with low-income families and people caring for disabled family members. They may be able to help with air conditioning repairs. Their motto is “safe homes and communities for everyone”. It is vital that you reach out to local charities if you find yourself in dire need of help. There are some stories out there of people finding help where they didn’t expect it. For example, this family was helped by the Salvation Army. Charitable organizations know that extreme heat can be life-threatening to those who are vulnerable. If your family has elderly or disabled members, reach out and see what support there may be for their situation.

So, How to Save Money on Air Conditioning?

Have you enjoyed our list of ways to save money on air conditioning?  We’ve set out to cover all the bases and help those who, like us, have been shocked by just how much money it costs to cool their home. Our article shows that there are a lot of ways to save money here – it might just come down to which is best and easiest for you. We’ve covered topics such as fans, government grants, and help schemes, as well as simple design alterations that can help keep your home cool. If you have any further thoughts on these points, feel free to share a comment below. Also, if you feel like our article might help someone you know to save them money, please go ahead and share it with them.

Check Out Our Infographics!

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Looking for the Best Fan to Cool a Room? Here’s How to Pick

Looking for the Best Fan to Cool a Room? Here’s How to Pick Featured Image

Want the Best Fan to Cool a Room? Here’s How to Pick

We’re looking at the best fans to cool a room on those hot, sticky days, and how to position them (especially since most are doing it wrong). Cool down here.

Want the best fan to cool a room on hot summer days?

In lots of places around the country, those without central air conditioning get really tired of summer, and it sometimes seems like fall is never going to arrive.

Air-conditioning systems help take heat and humidity out of the air – but they’re expensive.

These systems are energy hogs — they eat up kilowatt hours and generate massive energy bills for households.

So a lot of people try to get by with fans — but that can be difficult. You just don’t get the same blast of cooling – and you have to work a lot harder to get a house cooled down.

How do you set up your house to stay cool without central air?

Here are some tips on the right kinds of fans to buy, and how to use them to your advantage on those hot, sticky days.

Types of Fans: Choosing the Best Fan

When you’re looking at fans for home cooling, you can choose from a large number of designs.

One choice is the shape and style of a fan — do you want a box fan or a floor-standing oscillating fan?

The general idea is that box fans are good for windows, because of their shape and even fit. They also stay in one place. Oscillating fans, on the other hand, are good for wafting air around a room.

The Best Fan to Cool a Room: Lasko Breeze MachineAnother choice is a small, circular power fan. These fans have a small footprint, so they are portable and easily carried anywhere. You can set them up in a corner of the room and blast cool air anywhere – which obviously includes directly at yourself!

The most comfortable cooling people get from fans is actually a direct blast that dries sweat from the surface of the skin?

You sit right in front of the fan and you get that “ahhh moment” (you know the one – the immediate effect of cooling).

Tower Fans

In addition to all of those traditional fan models that you’re used to, new tower fan models give you a middle ground between relying on box fans and using expensive centralized systems.The Best Fan to Cool a Room: Lasko Blower Fan

Tower fans have specific cooling and air circulation properties that help to really get the temperature lower in any enclosed space.

Some of them even have air ionization which means they’re cleaning the air at the same time they are cooling.

Maybe you’ve seen some of these fancy designs in a home or commercial space.

Here’s more about how these innovative fans work and how you can use them to cool any kind of building:

Using Humidifiers

When you’re trying to make a home more comfortable, you also have the choice to use a dehumidifier.

Dehumidifiers essentially take moisture out of the air, which can make it seem cooler and more comfortable in a room.

They’re also handy for places where moisture tends to accumulate, such as a basement.

Lots of people keep dehumidifiers around in the summer for these purposes.

Positioning Fans

So you have your favorite fan in a box — you’ve brought it home from the store.

What about setting it up?

There are a lot of factors that go into setting up box fans and other fans the right way.

One of the first general principles is to keep incoming air low and push it upward. That’s because, as any heating and cooling technician will tell you, heat rises. So you’re going to want to direct the cooler air upward and expel the hot air at the top.

This is why a lot of people talk about a set of intake/output fans and matching air flows to generally cool down living spaces. Basically, the idea is that you are pulling in cooler air and pushing hotter air out.

Use Outdoor Shade

On hot days, it’s many degrees cooler in the shade than it is in the sun. That’s because a lot of the heat is coming directly from the sunlight that beats down on surfaces.

You can use this natural difference in heat to your advantage. One key is to bring incoming air in on the shady side of the house and direct the hotter air out the sunny side. Use available natural tree shade or get creative by creating barriers to block the sun.

Using the properties of natural shade is an extremely effective way to use natural principles to keep your  home cooler in a very hot summer.

The Corner System

Some also suggest setting up a small box fan or oscillating fan in a particular way at the lower corner of a room.

Then blast it from the lower corner to the opposite upper corner to start air flow moving. This idea is similar in many ways to other natural systems such as the water belts in oceans that keep circulating water from one place to another. By circulating the air, you’re keeping it from stagnating, and you’re also increasing the comfort of the interior space.

Before you set up your fan, take a detailed look around the house. Where is it the hottest? Where are the places that cool air doesn’t seem to get to?

By intake and cool air and delivering it to those places, you’re managing your home on your own without the aid of expensive central air duct work.

One trick is to position a fan at the bottom of a stairway to drive air up to the upper floor.

This simple “home hack” has helped many homeowners with excessive heat on second or third floors to get relief without spending a boatload of money.

The Best Fan to Cool a Room: Dyson fan in corner
Dyson fan standing in a corner

Final Words

With this knowledge in mind, you can go confidently to your department store or hardware store and get additional fans for your house and get the best fan to cool a room.

It’s not always how many fans you have – it’s how you use them and how you position your fans for cooling.

Try any of these tricks to stay cooler as summer keeps on going – and going!

What are some of your favorite ways to stay cool at home? Let us know in the comments.

Dyson photo credit

How to Clean a Tower Fan?

How to Clean a Tower fan

Just like any other type of fan, the tower style fans are inclined to build up a lot of dirt and dust particles inside. Because of this, your fan can benefit from a clean or service at 12-18 month intervals to ensure it continues to provide safe and reliable operational performance.

Any tower fan can use a clean when it is easy to notice dust building up in the area of the plastic venting. A regular clean is more important in homes that have family members with allergies that are made worse by dust build-up.  Instead of clean air circulating through the fan the build up of dirt and dust particles will be blown through the home. Plus, any dirt left inside the fan will make the motor work harder, which can lead to more noise while in operation and also shorten the potential lifespan of this home appliance.

Use this guide to learn how to clean a tower fan using the most efficient steps. With a handful of useful tools, you can easily give the fan a clean to avoid issues with a dusty breeze in the home or office.

How to Disassemble, Clean & Quiet a Tower Fan (video)

For a visual step-by-step reference to tower fan cleaning and maintenance you can check this video, which highlights each of the essential steps to clean a tower fan. Jared, the guy behind Mr Everything, did a great job shooting it. You can check the other videos of Jared on his channel.

Tools needed for disassembling and cleaning a fan

How to Clean a Tower Fan: Girl with cleaning toolsIf planning to disassemble a fan for cleaning it helps to have the right tools and equipment handy to make sure the project goes as smooth as possible. Here is a list of the things you’ll need:

  • Screwdriver (Phillips head)
  • Can of compressed air or an air compressor
  • Cleaning brush
  • Lubricant
  • Paper towels

Optional extras include a small bowl for safe keeping of the screws as well as a protective mask and eyewear to avoid issues with breathing in dust or getting dirt particles in the eyes.

How to disassemble a tower fan

Start by finding a clean and safe place to work on the tower fan. Put on the protective mask and eyewear to avoid issues with dirt and dust particles getting in the lungs and eyes throughout the cleaning process.

If applicable, remove the plastic base of the tower fan to make it easier to manage and handle the appliance while working on it. While this step isn’t essential it usually makes the entire process of cleaning the fan a lot easier.

The next step is to start removing the screws on the rear of the tower fan. Most of the screws are fairly easy to find and the overall number that needs to be removed depends on the specific make and model of appliance. If you have difficulty removing the rear panel of the fan, carefully look for hidden screws which might be concealed behind plastic tabs or in the handles recess.

Once the screws are removed, the panel is likely to be held in place by a series of clips or latches. At this point it is a case of working out how the panel dislodges from the clips or other locking mechanism. Usually the rear panel will slip off by sliding up or down. A certain amount of force is usually needed to get the fan open.

But check the internet for further info if you have particular difficulty with your specific model of tower fan. Avoid using excessive force in the attempt to remove the rear panel as this could result in damage to the plastic housing which might prevent future safe operation.

With the rear panel removed it is necessary to remove several more screws inside the fan, which holds the fan cylinder in place. Generally, there are one or two screws to remove at the top and bottom of the cylinder.

Leave the screws in the bowl and place that in a safe area until next needed.

How to clean the cage and vents

How to Clean a Tower Fan: Girl holding an air compressorClean a tower fan using compressed air. This is the most effective tool to clean the dirt and dust that has been left to slowly build-up inside the fan. If practical it can benefit to move the tower fan to an outside location (garage, patio, deck area, etc.) to avoid blowing the dirt and dust inside the home.

Compressed air is easily purchased at local office supply or hardware stores. Do not shake the can with compressed air before using it – otherwise it may spray liquid instead of gas. Direct the nozzle of the compressed air at the dust on all exposed surfaces, such as the cage, vents, exhausts, blades, or other accessible crevices. Make sure to start at the top of the tower fan and work your way down.

If any remaining dirt or dust is still noticeable after using the compressed air, use a soft brush to give a final sweep to clear the last of the grime. Other options to clean the plastic parts like the housing is a damp cloth, but make sure these parts are given enough time to fully dry before attempting to reassemble.

Other tools to clean a tower fan include the brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner. Also, there are certain models of vacuum cleaners that blow as well as suck which will make it more effective at blowing the dirt from the appliance. An air compressor is a practical tool for a variety of jobs around the home, including cleaning appliances like a tower fan.

How to clean the motor including the motor disassembly

With the tower fan open and the main cylinder removed it is now possible to open the motor for lubricating purposes to avoid issues with squeaking or other noises. Start the disassembly by removing the screws / washers that hold the motor in place. Once the screws have been carefully removed the top housing of the motor should come apart to show the inner components.

To prevent noise it helps to apply a grease or lubricant to the metal shaft that rotates the cylinder or cage – this is usually the area that the noise is coming from. Also, apply the grease to the top bracket to ensure all moving parts are fully greased up. Use a high-quality lubricant that is intended to work on metal on metal components such as a white lithium grease or car grease. Preferred grease should be long-lasting, hard-wearing, and heat-resistant. Avoid using WD40 or similar because this isn’t very effective and might only last for three or four weeks.

If any old lubricant is still in place, make sure to clean this up using a kitchen towel or similar before applying a new application of grease. Give a good application of grease in any areas of the motor that can cause noise or friction, especially the metal shaft and the hole it spins in. Use the grease at both ends of the shaft for best results.

Assembling and testing the fan after cleaning

Once the tower fan is cleaned and lubricated to your complete satisfaction it is time to reassemble. But, before the outer housing is attached, you may want to give the fan a test to make sure it is fully operational.

Hold the fan safely in an upright position and off the floor. Also, avoid touching any of the metal components that are exposed while the fan casing is open. Now plug in the tower fan and switch it on. The tower fan should now be running at full speed and be free of any squeaking, rattling or other noises. Some people may prefer to wait until the fan is fully assembled before testing for the extra safety aspect.

When assembling the fan make sure to secure the individual parts (motor, cylinder, and case) using the correct size screws, while also remember to use the washers when securing the motor. Plus, the final piece to attach is the plastic base.

When the tower fan is fully assembled it is worth testing once more to ensure it is operating as it should. Also, for the fans that come with extra features like oscillating control, make sure to switch this on to ensure it is still working as intended. Plus, while the grease is handy it might be worth applying a small amount to the parts that form the oscillating control to make sure this continues to operate freely.

Final thoughts

So, the cleaning of the tower fan is now complete. Not only has this step-by-step guide helped in the process of removing any squeaking or other noises it also made sure the air circulating around the living room or bedroom is that much cleaner. Even though there are many different makes and models of tower fans, the basic process of cleaning is quite common across the different brands. Now that you know how to clean a tower fan, you shouldn’t have too much difficulty in maintaining the fan appliances in the home.

Image Attributions:

Featured image: Jeff Kramer