Pushing air

[83trekker]

Well I have my Big max furnace all setup and running very happy since it has got to -54.4F this week as the low, Very, very cold this week!!! The heaters had been running lots for the last 2 days trying to re heat the garage from the deep freeze.

The problem I am having is the heats all at the top of my 13ft ceiling. I am going to install a fan, at the moment I have one out of my kitchen I am going to install.
Question is who has a fan to help bring the heat down to the ground and how long do you keep it running? Im thinking if mine isn’t running 24/7 the thermostat keeps getting cold and keeps the heater running, yet its very hot at the roof level. Is it bad to run a ceiling fan continuous? Is there some kind of timer I could get that would have to be installed where the on switch is in the wall for this?
Any other good ideas for get the heat down, what are all you doing?

 

[rickairmedic]

Trekker just let the fan run full time it wont hurt the fan motor and will keep the air circulating . What hurts electric motors is the same thing that hurts our car motors initial startup when they get hitt by a jolt of electricity to get them moving once they are moving it doesnt take much juice to keep them going . I have all my ceiling fans on 24/7 and the blower motor in my furnace runs 24/7 I also recomend leaving the furnace blower on to my customers if they can stand the noise as it keeps the air circulating in the house instead of seperating and the hot air rising and cold air falling.

Rick

 

[SteveU]

I run the ceiling fan in my house all winter long & have for most of the time I've lived here (19 yrs) and haven't had any problems from doing it. It is also a lot cheaper to run than having your heater running all the time.

 

[83trekker]

Thanks guys, gonna install my fan this weekend i hope. What speed do you run your fan on?

 

[SteveU]

I run the house fan on low but if it was in the shop would do either med or high. Get either a 52" or 60" fan when you get one, they move a lot more air than the smaller ones.

 

[rickairmedic]

I would run the ceiling fan on low or medium and you want it turning in the winter so it pushes air down from the ceiling . Running it on high will move the air to quickly and make you feel colder than it actually is you dont want it slinging the air just enough to keep it moving .

Rick

 

[trloh]

Hey Rick,

What is your business phone number? I have a heat pump problem located in Spencer county.

Troy

 

[rickairmedic]

Hey Troy,

I just sent you an email back with my cell number feel free to call me and I can call you back I have unlimited time and long distance on my cell.

Thanks
Rick

 

[CraigFL]

I have 52" fans in my garage. You don't need an expensive one. I bought the one from Home Depot for $46.99 by Harbor Breeze and it's been working great.

 

[comp]

post up pics of what you do

 

[83trekker]

how many fans you have and how big is your garage?

 

[83trekker]

Is it safe to use a dimmer switch to replace the light switch that runs the fan? That way I can have the fan on high and adjust speed @ the dimmer switch, that way i dont need to get a step ladder anytime i want to adjust the fan.

 

[rickairmedic]

Trekker I cant say wether or not it would be safe but I am pretty sure it would Piss off the motor as Dimmer adjust the amount of power going to the fixture . A better option if you wanted would be a wall mountable remote which I have seen at Homie Desperate and the other box stores which can be retrofited into an older ceiling fan.

Rick

 

[mt_spiffy]

First, to answer the individual questions:

It is best to run ceiling fans 24/7 as long as any HVAC equipment is activated and/or the room in question has people in it. So, if your heaters are on AND/OR there is people in the room, the fans should be running. As long as the fans are in good shape it wont hurt them.

For heat recirculation, you run ceiling fans at the fastest possible speed that does not cause you to feel a significant draft. For summer cooling, run them as fast as they will go, unless it's too noisy or blows your stuff all over!

Ceiling fans can not be wired to a dimmer switch, it will burn out the motor. You can buy infinitely variable speed controls that are similar to dimmer switches, you can only use these on fans rated for use with solid state speed controls. This is only American Made fans, SOME older imported fans (1980s and previous), and most industrial grade fans. For conventional fans you can buy a 3 speed wall control. I do not recommend remote kits, they are subject to failure.

To address the initial question, ceiling fans will help immensely with heat recirculation and recovery. I think you will be shocked at the amount of difference it makes. I have spoken a little more about it on some other threads here, and I also wrote this document. It's geared towards commercial installations but is VERY applicable to garages:

http://www.ceiling-fans-n-more.com/why-use-ceiling-fans.php

I specifically recommend industrial ceiling fans for use in garages. They are much more effective for heigher ceilings, deal with the elements and dust and such better, and you get a better fan for your money. The model I specifically recommend is the Envirofan Gold Line. You can see why in this other document I wrote here:

http://www.ceiling-fans-n-more.com/industrial-ceiling-fan-brand-guides-and-reviews.php

Let me know if you have any further questions.

For the record, I have two 56" ceiling fans in my one car garage! Perhaps I will post pictures someday.