subject: Everything You Need to Know About Ceiling Fans [print this page] Ceiling fans have been around since the 1800sCeiling fans have been around since the 1800s. Its debut was in the United States in the 1860s and 70s. The first units were then powered by a water-turbine system and could move and rotate several fans at the same time.
It wasn't until 1882 when the first electrically-powered fan unit was made. It was invented by Philip Diehl and was designed to operate with a self-contained motor which is what we commonly see in the overhead fans of today.
Originally the fans were made with two blade units. Modifications were made and they were produced with four blades. This made the fans to work more efficiently.
The ceiling fans have been a commonplace in most homes in the early 1900s. But with the advent of air conditioning, the fans have suffered a decline in demand. People only had renewed interest in the fans when they find that they are more cost-effective to use. By 1970s up to now, these fan units are still enjoying their popularity.
The fans cannot cool the air. It relies on the wind-chill factor. This is pretty much the case as when you blow on the hot soup to cool it down. If you're standing inside the room, the breeze helps your body lose heat through the process of convection. The breeze carries the excess heat off and away from your body.
There are two methods to using the ceiling fans. In the summer, the fans can be operated in a counter-clockwise fashion. This way the breeze is blown downwards to the occupants of the room. This can help in speeding up the evaporation process of the sweat and providing a cool air towards the body. During winter, the fans are operated in the reverse pattern. By having them rotate in a clockwise fashion, they pull the cool air up and push the warm air towards the floor. This method helps in circulating the warm air inside the room.
