Ceiling fans are often used to create air motion in residences. The sensitivity of the simulation to changes in the convective heat transfer coefficient between indoor air and indoor surfaces from ceiling fan operation is also presented. The sensitivity is inconsequential for insulated houses. Ceiling fans give off heat and use eletricity. Photo of an operating ceiling fan taken with a heat sensitive infrared camera.
Color is proportional to temperature.
A typical fan will use 50-150 Watts while operating at high speed. This paper also presents metered results from an analysis of 400 Florida households that indicate no cooling energy savings due to ceiling fans. Homeowner-reported thermostat settings were the same for homeowners with and without ceiling fans and measured thermostat settings were not statistically different for a sample of homes in which the indoor air temperature was measured. Because the fans have been shown to effectively increase comfort while potentially decreasing energy use, their installation and use has long been promoted by energy extension services, utilities and even through energy code compliance credit. Ceiling fans save energy if their use also results in reduced air conditioner use.