Are Ceiling Fans In Your Rental Property Worth It?

Are ceiling fans in your rental property worth the cost and do they help save energy for the landlord or tenants is the maintenance tip this week from Keepe.

Yes, they can save energy.  If you have air conditioning in your rental property, then you probably know that it is responsible for about 25 percent of all energy consumption.

If you have ceiling fans and air conditioning operating, you can turn your thermostat up by four degrees without losing comfort. By using this method, landlords and tenants can lower energy bills.

Can ceiling fans replace air conditioning?

No. Fans don’t actually cool a room, they create a wind-chill effect that makes it feel cooler without lowering the temperature of a room.

If the room is already extremely hot, ceiling fans will be pushing hot air around the room, not making anything cooler (though it may feel cooler because of the air moving across your skin).

Any negatives to ceiling fans in rental property?

Ceiling fans need routine maintenance in your rental property, so be aware of these things:

• Inspecting – This should happen at least once a year to ensure everything is working correctly. An inspection of the ceiling fan is fairly easy using a ladder.
• Cleaning – While inspecting the fan, you will probably notice a layer of dust. Dust accumulation can reduce airflow, make the fan work less efficiently, and have a negative impact on your health or the health of your tenants. When cleaning the blades, make sure not to use a product that will take away the finish.
• Lubrication – Check with the guide that came with your ceiling fan before adding any lubrication. Typically, you make sure the fan is turned off before adding 4-6 drops of lubrication oil to the small hole located near the motor. Some models are maintenance-free and don’t require lubrication, so make sure to check which kind of model you have.

What can go wrong and need maintenance?

• Wobbling – Over time, ceiling fans can start to wobble. There are balancing kits made to fix this specific issue.
• Noise – When ceiling fans are making excessive noise, it is usually due to a loose part, or a sign that it needs lubrication. Try tightening up any fixtures or lubricating the motor.

So, are ceiling fans in your rental property worth it?

When looking at the positives and negatives of ceiling fans, the cost of a fan and the small amount of routine maintenance seems worth it if you are able to save money on energy costs.

Keep in mind that landlords or tenants are only able to save energy by coupling ceiling fans with air conditioning and raising the thermostat four degrees higher.

Extra tips for ceiling fans in your rental property

• Don’t leave the fan running 24/7. Turn it off when no one is in the room.
• Make sure the ceiling height is at least eight feet.
• Ceiling fans can also to warm rooms in the winter by flipping the switch that reverses the direction of the rotation. This makes the air move up toward the ceiling, forcing warm air down into the room.

Recent Keepe Maintenance Tips You May Have Missed:

6 Tips for Fixing Those Annoying Tenant Clogged Toilets

More Tips on Fixing Tenants’ Clogged Drains

7 Types Of Kitchen Countertops For Your Apartments