National Ceiling Fan Day Makes Saving Energy a Breeze

(NewsUSA) - Turn Off Your AC, Turn On Your Fan to Save Trillions of Kilowatt Hours

Summer is winding down, and while it may not yet feel like it, cooler weather is on the way. For most parts of the country, mid-September brings a break in the heat, and signals a good time to turn off your air conditioner and turn on your ceiling fan to start saving energy and money.

This September 18 marks the first annual National Ceiling Fan Day (NCFD). More than 20 ceiling fan manufacturers, the American Lighting Association (ALA) and leading energy conservation groups invite everyone to join the fight to reduce energy consumption by turning off their central cooling systems and relying on ceiling, floor, desk and wall fans to save trillions of kilowatt hours of energy consumption.

As extra incentive to participate in the energy-saving effort, many fan retailers are offering discounts to consumers in conjunction with NCFD. You can find a list of local ALA-member fan retailers online at AmericanLightingAssoc.com.

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends using ceiling fans to reduce or eliminate the need to use your AC, because ceiling fans consume far less electricity. Many ceiling fans consume as few as 30 watts of electricity, while AC systems can use upwards of 5,000 watts when used for the same amount of time.

Not only is using a ceiling fan good for the environment, it's good for your checkbook, too. Operating a fan can cost as little as $1 per month. That is quite a savings compared to approximately $100 per month to run an AC unit in a typical home.

Initiated by fan manufacturer Fanimation, NCFD is supported by many additional ALA-member fan manufacturers including Casablanca Fan Company; Craftmade; Emerson Ceiling Fans; Hunter Fan Company; Kichler; Matthews Fan Company; Minka-Aire; Monte Carlo Ceiling Fan Company; Progress Lighting; Quoizel; Quorum International; Regency Ceiling Fans; Savoy House; Sea Gull Lighting; The Modern Fan Co.; The Period Arts Fan Company; Vaxcel International; and Westinghouse Lighting, as well as The Home Depot; Lowe's Companies, Inc.; and ALA-member retail showrooms.

Many of the nation's leaders in energy conservation and efficiency are also on board. Those supporters include the U.S. Green Building Council; Alliance to Save Energy; Affordable Comfort, Inc.; Environmental and Energy Study Institute; and Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.

As a society, we have grown dependent on air conditioners, and often use them unnecessarily. The purpose of NCFD is to bring national attention to escalating energy costs and consumption. The day is devoted to saving energy and raising awareness about how ceiling fans can fit into an overall energy and cost-savings plan.

If every American participates in NCFD by turning off their AC and using fans for their cooling needs, the United States will save enough energy to power the entire city of New York for months.

For more information about how to save energy with ceiling fans and for a list of ALA-member fan retailers and manufacturers, go to AmericanLightingAssoc.com.