Does a fan really cool the air?

Over half of the energy that we use in our house is used for heating and for cooling. In the summer, some people suggest that you turn on a fan instead of your air conditioner (or raise the temperature of your air conditioner and use a fan) as a way to save energy and save money.

1. On a hot day, place a portable fan on a table. Use a thermometer to record the temperature in the room.

2. Turn the fan on and hold the thermometer three feet from it so that the air blows on the thermometer. After one minute, record the temperature.

3. Hold the thermometer two feet from the fan. Record the temperature after one minute.

4. Repeat Step 3 with the thermometer one foot away.