If your idea is to stay cool without racking up your energy bills, you’ll certainly count on your ceiling fan a great deal this summer. A good approach is to use a fan without AC until it gets very hot, then shut the fan off and use the air conditioner instead. This is a mistake! Running the ceiling fan and air conditioner at the same time is the optimal way to increase comfort and energy savings.
It might appear redundant to use two cooling methods together, but fans make your air conditioner more efficient. Try these five tips to help you get the maximum benefit from your AC system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, think about installing a few. You should have the ability to change out any light fixture in the center of the room for a smooth, efficient and stylish ceiling fan.
Remember that ceiling fans work best when the blades sit seven to nine feet above the floor, 10 to 12 inches from the ceiling, and at least 18 inches from the walls. This means your ceilings must be a minimum of eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings may not benefit as much.
As you may imagine, bigger fans can propel more air than shorter ones. Opt for a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms up to 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for larger rooms. You can also install multiple fans in the same area to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Check the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can run in both directions. Verify yours is set to spin counterclockwise in the summertime. This forces air back down to make the breeze feel more apparent.
If you’re uncertain whether a fan is turning the right way, flip it on and stand right below it. If the breeze feels weak for how rapidly the blades are rotating, you might need to reverse the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, especially if they’re put in on a vaulted ceiling. Check for a button on the remote to change the direction. If your fan doesn’t have a remote, inspect the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can turn in both directions because moving the air upward is useful for lowering heating bills in the winter. So when the seasons change, set your fan to turn clockwise and run it on low to distribute warm air around the ceiling back toward the living room without generating a breeze. This technique is especially effective in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Adjust the Thermostat
You should adjust the thermostat to make the most of energy savings from running a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t stress over feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect made by turning on a ceiling fan makes the room seem around 4 degrees cooler. This principle, which can make winter cold unpleasant, is the key to home comfort and energy savings during the summer.
If you normally keep your house around 75 degrees, consider readjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to compensate for the wind chill effect made by using a ceiling fan. Then, adjust your outfit to improve your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season permits you to maximize comfort while lowering cooling costs.
Turn Off the Fans in Empty Areas
It’s a common belief that ceiling fans bring down the temperature in the room. Sure, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is push air around. As a result, there’s not a good reason to keep a ceiling fan working in an empty room. Fans might cost pennies on the dollar to run versus air conditioners, but every little bit counts, so switch off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
Watch Your Energy Savings Grow
If you use the tips outlined above, you will recognize a reduction in your air conditioning costs all summer long. After all, you can save as much as 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you increase the thermostat. And by taking advantage of the wind chill effect created by the ceiling fan, you can experience savings without sacrificing comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning
Simply, you shouldn’t disregard the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort this summer! If you want air conditioning services at any time, choose Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to resolve your problem quickly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner run as proficiently as possible, ensuring it works along with your ceiling fans to keep your home and family comfortable for less. Call us today to schedule an appointment with the HVAC pros at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.