Summer heat has begun and if you’re looking to save while staying cool, consider trying box fans in your windows.
The box fans consume less energy than air conditioners and can be friendlier on your pocketbook and on the environment.
But which direction should they face — in or out? That depends, experts say.
Here’s what to know.
Where to point your window or box fan: In or out?
The thing to remember about box fans is that they’re great for pushing hot air out and sucking cool air in.
You should place outward-facing window fans on the hottest side of your home, to blow out hot air, per Life Hacker.
Inward-facing window fans should go on the coolest side of your home, to draw in cool air. Windows near shady, cooler outdoor areas usually provide the best intake, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
What if my home has two floors?
If your house has more than one floor, consider putting the window fan facing out on the upper floor where indoor temperatures are usually hottest and open windows on the lower level, per the U.S. Department of Energy.
How much electricity do box fans use?
If you’re going to go through the trouble of setting up a window or box fan, you probably want to know whether you’re actually saving money, right? How much electricity a box fan consumes depends on its size and type.
The average 20-inch box fan consumes about 75 watts per hour at full speed, according to electric power distributor and telecommunication company EPB. That’s about 50% more than your standard ceiling fan, but far less power than an air conditioner, which can use between 500-5,000 watts of electricity.
You might be wondering, then, how much that box fan will cost you in electricity every month. Fortunately, there’s a simple formula.
How to figure out how much your appliances cost
To find out how much any appliance in your home will cost per hour, use this formula courtesy of Homes And Gardens.
Multiply the appliance’s wattage by the number of hours you want to use it. Divide by 1,000 and then multiply again by the cost per kilowatt-hour on your electric bill. The formula looks like this:
Cost = (power (in watts) x time (in hours)) / 1,000 x cost of one kilowatt-hour.
How else can you keep your home cool?
To help stay cool, reduce energy usage and maximize energy efficiency during hot weather, DTE Energy offers these tips:
The Courier Journal contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Box fans in windows can cool your home this summer. Which direction should they face?
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
