Science Behind Using An Electric Fan

Posted by Jacklyn Chen on: 2005-08-12 18:28:59

Electric fan once was an essential heatstroke prevention item in summer for many families. Though the number of families that use electric fans has somewhat decreased due to the popularity of the air conditioner, staying in an air conditioning room for too long can cause the immunity of our body to drop, some can easily catch cold, get a fever, contract allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma, and more. These are all because of the bad air quality caused by almost no circulations in an air conditioning room, which in turn multiples the cause of disease microorganism. Since electric fan is convenient to use, it blows naturally, and does not pollute the air, from the environmental protection and health point of view, it should be the first choice when it comes to heatstroke prevention.

The question is: how should we use an electric fan scientifically?

1. Do not get too close to the fan
When using an electric fan, some people prefer to stay very close to the fan and let the wind fiercely blow on them, especially after having strenuous exercises. This may cause the body get indisposed, feeling weary, sultry, incapable, hands and feet may feel aching and limp. In worse case, it may result in headache, fever, cold feeling, or even lead to other diseases. In summer time, the perspiration, radiation, and temperature adjustment of a human body are all mainly through the skin. When sweat evaporated, our body then cools down. But long time blowing in front of an electric fan will cause the surface temperature of our body to quickly drop. This will block the pore, which then causes heat to be kept in our body and makes us feel sultry.

2. Do not chill with the fan for too long
It is especially not healthy if you let the fan runs all night long. Skin surface temperature of any spots that are exposed to the blowing for excessively long time drops, while epidermis blood vessels are still diastolic, this will cause abnormal blood circulation, which in turn will affect excretion of sweat, result in the adjustment of nerve center to lose balance. The internal organs and nerve system must then strengthen their work, consequently fatigue and headache may appear.

3. Use middle or low speed as much as possible
Speaking of the usage of a fan, the bigger the fan blades, the higher the power it requires, then the more energy it consumes. Power consumption of a fan is in direct ratio to speed of its blades. The energy used in 1 hour at the fastest speed would allow the same fan to run nearly 2 hours at the lowest speed. Choose high speed only when necessary, turn to low speed after cooling down, this will reduce consumption of electricity. Use head turning, low speed, natural blowing options in general, choose "sleep" (if this option is available) at bed time.

4. Put fan at door or window if possible
In summer evenings, put fan at places near a door or a window when possible. This is good for air circulation by blowing cool outdoor air to indoor. Let the fan blow with the wind will increase the efficiency of lowering the temperature.

5. High speed to low speed
When turning on a fan, the switch should be set at "high speed" first, then change it to the "middle" or "low" after it runs at full speed. This is to avoid unnecessary longer motor starting time. Fans with manual tuning options are already set up in the way so the high speed has to be on first. But make sure it is at full speed before switch to lower speed. If you sense any burning smell, turn off the fan and unplug immediately.

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About the Author

Jacklyn Chen - Webmaster of news-blogs.com, satellite info, and emobile-news.com. She is a full time mom who works very hard to make living with multiple web sites.