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Want to Reduce Energy Costs? You Need Ceiling Fan Installation
If you live in Grapevine, TX or a nearby community, you know how important your air conditioner is. It's certainly not a luxury—it's a matter of survival in July and August when outdoor temperatures soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. But your HVAC system needs to use a huge amount of energy to cool your home in the summer (and heat it up in the winter), and that can lead to an unpleasant shock when you open your utility bill and see the energy charges your HVAC has racked up.
Looking for ways to reduce those eye-watering energy costs without sacrificing your indoor comfort levels? Ceiling fan installation services by a professional Grapevine handyman can actually have a big impact on your energy usage, significantly reducing the amount you have to pay on your monthly utility bill. Some people think of a ceiling fan as an old-fashioned cooling system that doesn't work as well as an air conditioner, but that's not the case. It actually works together with both your heater and your AC to warm or cool your house more efficiently by improving air circulation.
You may have some questions about Grapevine ceiling fan installation, and we have answers! Here are our responses to some of the commonly asked questions we hear from Grapevine homeowners, along with expert advice from the team of service professionals at Mr. Handyman of Arlington, Mansfield and Grapevine.
How Does Ceiling Fan Installation Decrease Utility Costs?
It may not seem to make a lot of sense that ceiling fan installation can have a noticeable effect on your energy costs, but once you understand the mechanics of what's going on, it's surprisingly straight-forward. A ceiling fan can change the temperature in a room by as much as four or five degrees. It does that by keeping the air circulating freely throughout the space, which pushes down warm air that rises to the ceiling and stirs up cold air that settles near the floor. By mixing up that natural temperature separation and circulating air, the fan helps to keep the habitable zone in the middle cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
So what does that have to do with energy usage? The thing is, your HVAC system needs to use a lot of energy to keep your home at the temperature you have set on your thermostat. That's why it is most likely the biggest expense on your energy bill by far. But with your new ceiling fan installation helping to enhance it's efforts and make your home more energy efficient, you can turn your thermostat four degrees warmer in the summer or four degrees cooler in the winter and your room will still be at your preferred temperature. That decreases the amount of time your HVAC system needs to be operating, which cuts back on its considerable energy draw and reduces the amount you have to pay on your monthly utility bill.
You might be thinking, "doesn't the fan use energy too?" It does, but it needs much, much less energy than your HVAC system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it costs about 36 cent per hour to run your air conditioner, and air conditioning accounts for about 25% of all home energy consumption in the United States. On the other hand, a ceiling fan only costs about one cent per hour to operate. So the cost of running the fan is less than the energy savings it provides by increasing your home's energy efficiency.
What Are the Other Benefits of Ceiling Fan Installation?
Saving money is a nice perk, but ceiling fan installation can also make your home more comfortable—and that's priceless. It keeps the temperature in a room even throughout the space. It also brings in fresh air from an open window, keeping the air from getting too stale and stagnant. It may even help to relieve allergy suffering when used together with an air filtration system.
Another bonus is that most ceiling fan installations come with light fixtures built-in, so you don't have to sacrifice overhead lighting to improve air circulation. If you are thinking of selling your Grapevine home in the next few years, replacing a plain overhead light fixture with a light and ceiling fan installation combo can actually increase your property value and selling price by providing additional function.
Can a Grapevine Handyman Do Ceiling Fan Installation?
Absolutely! There's no need to call an electrician for basic electrical services such as ceiling fan installation. Our experienced Grapevine handyman team has the experience and training to get the job done safely and efficiently. In fact, our multi-skilled handymen can save you time, money and stress by taking care of multiple installations, repairs or improvements in one appointment.
We are experienced with Grapevine ceiling fan installation, including challenging locations such as angled ceilings. We will take care of every part of the process, including blade assembly, motor assembly and everything else that needs to happen to get your new fan up and running. We can even give you some expert ceiling fan repair advice while we're at it!
Is Ceiling Fan Installation Dangerous?
Anything that involves electrical connections can be hazardous without due care and caution. Our Grapevine handyman professionals always prioritize safety and adhere to all building codes. We will shut off power to the fixture at your circuit breaker box before we get started, and make sure the unit is securely attached to the ceiling so there's no risk it'll come crashing down.
What Items are Needed for Ceiling Fan Installation in Grapevine, TX?
There are a lot of parts that go into an installation. They usually come unassembled and need to be put together before installation, and your local handyman will take care of that part as well. The installation will involve components and items such as:
Fan motor housing
Ceiling fan blade arms
Light fixture box
Light bulbs
Screws & additional hardware
Remote control
Wall switch & switch housing
Electrical wiring
Ceiling plate
Ceiling fan box
Basic tools such as a screwdriver
Safety glasses
Where Should the Installation Go in My Grapevine Home?
Ceiling fan installation works best for large rooms where you spend a lot of time, such as the living room, family room, kitchen or master bedroom. But you can choose ceiling fan installation for any room that can benefit from improved air circulation, as long as there is enough space for it to operate without creating a risk of injury.
When considering a ceiling fan location, it's important to keep factors such as blade span and ceiling slope in mind. Here are the conditions that need to be met in order for the unit to operate safely:
Blades must be at least seven feet away from the floor, or eight feet for metal blades
It needs total clearance away from cabinets or any other tall or wall-mounted furniture that it could bump into
Unit must be completely out of reach of bunk beds or other tall items that can be climbed
Blades cannot pass under a light fixture (except one that is a part of the ceiling fan installation)
If it is being installed on a sloped ceiling, an extender kit is necessary to lower the fan and it's important to ensure it still meets minimum height requirements
Can You Leave Ceiling Fans On All the Time?
A ceiling fan installation doesn't actually cool your home, it just circulates air—and the effects are noticeable as soon as you turn it on. Because of that, there's no reason to keep it on when no one is home or using that room. Having it in constant operation will just cause it to deteriorate faster due to wear and tear, and needlessly waste energy. It's better to turn it off when you're not at home or not using that part of the house. However, it is completely safe to operate it for long periods of time. You can keep it on all night while you're sleeping or for extended periods of use while you're indoors.
Does a Ceiling Fan Installation Use More Energy Than a Floor Model?
Actually, your typical pedestal or floor unit probably uses a little bit more electricity than the ceiling version, but the energy usage is roughly comparable. Overhead units are better at increasing air circulation evenly throughout a room, but pedestal units work well when you want a concentrated blast of air in a specific spot.
What Other Arlington Handyman Services Can Reduce My Energy Costs?
If you're looking for even more ways to save money on your utility bill, we can help! Here are some of the dependable Grapevine handyman services that can decrease your energy costs and keep your money in your bank account where it belongs. And, check out five more home improvements that will save you money on your utility bill.
Attic Insulation
When the attic insulation in your Grapevine home deteriorates over time—or was never there to begin with—your house is losing warm or cool air from your HVAC system through the roof. That forces your HVAC to operate for longer periods of time and inflates the energy charges on your monthly bills. We can install batt, roll or blown-in insulation on your attic floor that will prevent air movement between the upper floor of your house and the roof. When the house is more efficient and better at holding in thermal energy, it'll give your HVAC system a break and decrease your energy costs.
Wood Rot Repair
If you have rotting wood on the exterior of your house in places such as window frames, door jambs and other exterior trim or siding, getting it repaired by a Grapevine handyman can really increase your home's energy efficiency. Wood rot causes timber to soften and crumble apart, letting air drafts in that change the temperature in your home and make it more difficult for your HVAC system to keep up with demand. As you've probably guessed by now, that has a negative impact on your utility charges.
Our handymen are experienced with wood rot repair, which usually involves replacing the affected wood altogether since there's no way to restore it to its former condition once it has decayed. But if the patches of rot are minor or the timber would be prohibitively difficult to remove, your local handyman may be able to carry out repairs by scraping out the rotted parts and filling the holes with epoxy wood filler, then painting over top of it.
Drywall Repair
It may seem a little odd that your drywall could affect energy usage, but once again, it all traces back to your HVAC system. When your drywall has suffered damage such as holes and cracks, it lets warm and cool air seep into the spaces inside your walls. That gives your HVAC system more air volume that it has to cover, so it operates longer and you end up paying to heat or cool the inside of the walls.
Our drywall repair professionals will handle every part of the repair process, including removing old drywall, joint taping, mudding, sanding and refinishing the wall, and we'll also clean up after ourselves when we're done. We can deal with damage that ranges from a small hole to a huge patch of water-damaged wall or ceiling.
Ready for Grapevine Ceiling Fan Installation? Call the Pros at Mr. Handyman!
Whether you are in Grapevine or another part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex such as Euless, Bedford or Coppell, you can get reliable ceiling fan installation service and dozens of other handyman services from the team of professionals at Mr. Handyman of Arlington, Mansfield and Grapevine.
Pick up the phone and give us a call today at 817-567-2433 to schedule an appointment at a convenient time, or to speak with our friendly customer service staff and find out more about how we can make your home more comfortable, appealing and livable.
