[INeedAChange]

Are these common in Fla houses and apartments, or do people mainly use only the AC?

[macguy]

Originally Posted by INeedAChange

Are these common in Fla houses and apartments, or do people mainly use only the AC?

The best from what I have found is a hassic fan that recirculates the cool air that is at the floor level. If you have marble or tile floors that act as a thermal mass it can be like free air condition.

[Sueilp]

We have a ceiling fan in each room and air conditioning. We keep our aircon at temp of 78 degrees to save on energy.

[INeedAChange]

Thanks--this might sound stupid, but is it expensive and difficult to have a ceiling fan installed? It would be nice to have another option besides sitting in AC all the time.

[john1963]

it is easy to install one but you need someone experienced to do the electrical connections...buy at home depot or lowes as they have outside installation available

[mikey2]

I don't know how much someone would charge to install one because I've always done them myself.
It's really quite straightforward and can be done in 30-45 minutes.

I understand that ceiling fans only increase your electric bill about $5.00 month, so you can save a lot on air conditioning as they make the house seem a lot cooler.

[RedWingsFan]

Yes, go with ceiling fans. They will save you money on your electric bill. You can leave your thermostat set higher in the summer (like 77/78) and ceiling fans will keep it degrees cooler for less money. They are common in Florida. The apartment I was in when I first got here had them in each bedroom as well, standard feature.

[Brasstec]

Originally Posted by INeedAChange

Thanks--this might sound stupid, but is it expensive and difficult to have a ceiling fan installed? It would be nice to have another option besides sitting in AC all the time.

Expensive? No. You can find fans that are quite reasonable - your local home store (Home Depot, Lowes, even Wal-mart) will have a varied selection. Check to see if the fan is used with a shank to drop it from ceiling level....i.e., make sure you can walk under it without getting a haircut - or worse. If it is a flush mount (ceiling mount), the install will be slightly different, but no more difficult.

Difficult? I don't think so. Sometimes a little awkward...just be sure your power is off before you start your install.

[wacahootaman]

I have cieling fans in every room. There is one on over my desk as I type this set at medium speed. I have light kits on all of them.

They are really good to have when you come in from the outside and are over heated. Even if the house is air conditioned, you cool off quicker if you sit under a fan.

They arnt that hard to install if you have the right tools and have the time. Just pull off the old light fixture and replace it with a cieling fan with a light kit.

Just make sure the box that you attach it to in the ceiling is fastened to some wood and not just attached to the drywall.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by RedWingsFan

Yes, go with ceiling fans. They will save you money on your electric bill. You can leave your thermostat set higher in the summer (like 77/78) and ceiling fans will keep it degrees cooler for less money. They are common in Florida. The apartment I was in when I first got here had them in each bedroom as well, standard feature.

I don't think it will actually make it any cooler in fact it may make the average temp higher because it is mixing the warmer air at the ceiling with the cooler air at the floor. What it does is interrupt the envelope of warmth that builds up around your body from it's own heat letting your body better cool itself.