No matter the season, keeping the house at a comfortable temperature can become a challenge. This is especially true if you rely on fans to circulate air through your home, but there are some tricks to getting the most from your efforts. Whether you are looking for ways to keep the family comfortable in your home or you simply enjoy running a fan while you sleep, box fans may be the way to go.

What is a box fan?

You may be surprised to learn that the term box fan does not refer to the shape of the fan. Although, many box fans are square and resemble a box, the term actually refers to the design of the fan. A box fan is one that is enclosed with a lattice-like grill on each side that allows the air to flow through the fan. Box fans can be square, rectangular, oval or round. Box fans also come in different sizes.

What is the best way to use a box fan in your home?

Box fans are ideal for drawing cool air in and pushing hot air out. This is accomplished by placing box fans in a window with one fan pulling cool air in and the other blowing hot air out. This only works when it is cooler outside than inside. However, even in cooler months, box fans can be used to circulate warm air throughout your home.

What placement is best?

The fan placement you use depends on whether you are trying to ventilate one room or if you are trying to move air through the entire house. Follow these guidelines for choosing the correct placement for your fans.

• When cooling the entire house, place box fans in the windows on the ground level (or basement) floor so that they are drawing in cool air. Place fans on the upper floor so that they are pulling air out of your home. This will create a flow of air through the entire house.
• When trying to heat the home, place fans at ground level to ensure heat is distributed at the right level and to avoid letting all the warm air escape to the ceiling. It's also important to keep fans close to the heat source when trying to warm up your home.

How many fans should you use?

Generally, you can use as many fans as are convenient, but you should aim to have no more than one per room so that all fans can be properly monitored for safety. Running fans in the winter can help boost energy efficiency, but it is important to run fans responsibly and avoid using them when no one is home.

For more ideas on how to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, contact Guaranteed Heating & Cooling today. We can help you determine the most efficient and economical way to keep your family comfortable.