Ceiling Fans: A Uniquely American Invention
The year was 1882, and Philip Diehl had a brainstorm: why not take an electric motor (he developed the motor used in the first sewing machines manufactured by the Singer sewing company) and attach it to a set of fan blades mounted on the ceiling of a room? It was called "The Diehl Electric Fan." Up until that time, ceiling fans operated through complicated and expensive sets of belts connected to turbines that were in turn powered by running water. These original systems used a two-blade arrangement, but gradually his new system caught on, and using 4 blades instead of the original 2 allowed for a greater circulation of air.
For a season, ceiling fans fell out of disfavor in the US (although they have always been very popular in warm climates where people could not afford expensive alternatives, such as air conditioning). But a resurgence began in the 1960's and really took hold during the energy crisis of the 1970's because they operate far more efficiently than traditional air conditioners.
Ceiling Fans: Useful In All Seasons
Many people believe that ceiling fans are used only for cooling a room during the hot summer months. But in reality ceiling fans can also be used to warm a room when the weather turns cool. To cool a room you set the unit so that the air blows downward (so you feel it on your head). To help heat a room, simply reverse the direction of the fan blades, so that the air is pulled up - this cooler air will mix with the warmer air at the top of the room (near the ceiling), and the warmer air will be forced down along the walls and you will feel the difference. In effect, you are 'recycling' the heat energy - and that means you will need to burn less fuel to heat that room, which in turn saves you money! Safety First! There are several safety concerns you should be aware of before you install your new ceiling fan. First among these is that the unit itself must be securely anchored to an electrical box (called a "Junction Box") that can handle the weight of the unit, as well as the motion of the fan when it is operating and its highest speed. Fully-assembled ceiling fans can weigh anywhere from 20-30 pounds or more! One thing that you must NOT do is simply take out an overhead lamp and use the ceiling fan in its place with upgrading to the proper junction box. If you are not skilled in doing electrical wiring, then by all means secure the services of a trained professional. Another safety issue: make sure that your ceiling fan is mounted high enough above you that it will not come into contact with a person's head or arms (especially if the arms are fully extended above). At a minimum, ceiling fans should be mounted at least 7 feet above the floor. When carrying long objects through the room (such as fishing poles, ladders, lumber), be careful not to allow it to hit the rotating fan blades.
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