Should You Install Ceiling Fans in Your New Florida Home?

When you are not outdoors enjoying the sunshine, beaches and theme parks, you want to come home to a comfortable and cool environment. Ceiling fans are a great alternative to running the air conditioning and running up your utility bill, and with the wide variety of styles and designs, ceiling fans are the perfect addition — dare we say necessity - in every Florida home.

Does a ceiling fan really lower the temperature?

Ceiling fans don’t actually lower the temperature in a room; the air flow from them makes the room feel cooler and helps to lower your personal body temperature.

On a hot summer day, your body sweats to shed some of the internal heat through evaporation. Ceiling fans can make you feel as much as eight degrees cooler by helping your skin evaporate sweat. This makes rooms in your home feel more comfortable, without lowering the a/c temperature. Ceiling fans also circulate the air, preventing rooms from smelling stuffy.

In fact, one of the only ways to keep cool outdoors is by using a fan! Outdoor-rated ceiling fans can be installed on your covered porch and lanai, and are a great way to create a breeze and enjoy the summertime outdoors.

How can a ceiling fan save me money on my electric bill?

Because the air circulation helps you feel cooler, you can set your thermostat at a higher temperature and run the a/c less - the less you run your air conditioner, the more money you save on your energy bill each month. According to fan manufacturer Progress Lighting, ceiling fans can help lower your electric bill by up to 30 to 40 percent — that’s huge savings when keeping your home cool over the course of the Florida summer.

Ceiling fans are useful for the winter months, too! Since heat rises, a reverse rotation can bring warm air back down into the room and maintain a cozier ambient temperature.

Installing EnergyStar rated fans will help you save even more; they are up to 60 percent more efficient than conventional units.

Why shouldn’t I just buy a box or pedestal fan?

Having a ceiling fan saves space compared to a box fan or pedestal fan that sits on the floor. Fans like these can get in the way and be a hazard to pets and children that run into or trip over them. And, they are not the most attractive “accessory? for your home.

Unlike pedestal and box fans, ceiling fans have the dual function of not only providing you the comfort of a cool breeze, but also elevating the overall look of a room. Use a ceiling fan to complement your unique interior style, or serve as a statement piece. Fans with light fixtures add the additional benefit of illuminating a room. A wide variety of ceiling fan blade and light fixture styles are available at your local hardware store, or you can add fans to your Florida new home when you build with Highland Homes!

At the Highland Homes Personal Selection Studio, ceiling fans are available in a variety of colors to coordinate with your home décor. Having these installed during construction of your new home is affordable, convenient and one less thing to do after you move-in.

If you do decide to install your own fans, we make doing so a breeze! Dual switch ceiling fan prewires are included in all of your bedrooms and the family room, and the ceiling structure reinforced to support the weight of the fan fixture. The dual switch functionality means the fan and the fan light fixture can be turned on separately.

So are ceiling fans a good choice for your new Florida home? Yes, absolutely, without a doubt!

To learn more about Highland Homes, browse our Florida communities and home plans, and discover our dedication to providing you with an outstanding home buying experience from start to finish, visit www.HighlandHomes.org or contact our New Home Specialists at 863-797-4999.