Every day brings new reports of drastic change to our planet and dire consequences that follow wanton energy consumption and careless human activity.
Even if you are inclined to dismiss all the politics with a giggle and a shrug, the choices you make when you shop can have far-reaching implications. Whether you are a skeptic or a true believer, it's summer and the heat is on.
If you are searching for a stylish and eco-friendly way to keep your cool, check out the latest models in ceiling fans.
"Ceiling fans have come a long way. They are more energy-efficient," says light consultant Marcy Goemans.
There is a wide range of styles and options available to the consumer.
Many fans will accept energy-efficient light bulbs. According to a recent market study for Natural Resources Canada, 91 per cent of ceiling fans sold come with light fixtures and those lights account for about 80 per cent of the energy consumption of the fixture.
The Office of Energy Efficiency is proposing new regulations for energy consumption of fans, consistent with those imposed in January 2007 (Visit www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca and search ceiling fans).
Ceiling fans reduce energy consumption by decreasing the use of air conditioning. In summer, they create a downdraft which increases the rate of evaporation of moisture on the skin. In the winter, they de-stratify the air, displacing the heated layer that rises to the ceiling with cooler air from the lower levels of the room.
Fans are operated with a clockwise rotation in the winter to create an updraft and counter clockwise direction in the summer to create downdraft. This direction is determined as you look up at the fan. The amount of air movement is a function of the size of the blades and their pitch, which varies from about 12 to 20 degrees, says Goemans. Other factors include the distance from the ceiling and between the blades, as well as the length of the blades to the size of the room.
Signature Lighting carries fans ranging in size from 61 to 183 centimetres (24 to 72 inches) with designs to flatter any room or decor. Customers are installing them anywhere and everywhere they need air movement, says Goemans. They want the fan to either disappear into the ceiling or offer an important decorative statement.
The futuristic Nebula fan ($924.88) from Kendal is the newest addition to the showroom. The motor housing is covered with brushed aluminum with propeller-like blades in a matching finish.
You can find the traditional romance of the south in the Savannah fan ($320.87) with palm-style leaf blades. A similar model with rattan wrapping the blades ($749.87) offers a tropical ambience. The oil-rubbed bronze finish on the motor housing is a very popular colour this year.
For shoppers seeking plug-in cool, Vintage Original tabletop fans ($124.88, less 50 per cent on sale) offer three finishes: black, copper and satin nickel. This tidy appliance provides a serious breeze on even the lowest setting.
You can carry your cool with you with a neat little gizmo called the Cobber ($19.95). This poly-cotton neck wrap, made in Australia, is worn bandana style. Once it has been soaked in water, the beads inside the scarf stay cool for up to 30 hours:www.bodycool.tv
It's a fun product which can be reused many times, says Greg McCorquodale of Pipestone Travel, who sells it to travellers visiting hot steamy climates.
-- Canwest News Service
