If the plan is to stay cool without increasing your energy bills, you’ll probably rely on your ceiling fan a great deal this summer. A well-known technique is to use a fan without AC until it gets really hot, then flip the fan off and try the air conditioner when you really need it. This is a mistake! Operating the ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously is the most beneficial way to maximize comfort and energy savings.
It may seem redundant to use two cooling methods at the same time, but fans make your air conditioner more effective. Try these five tips to help you get the maximum benefit from your AC system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First things first—if you don’t already have ceiling fans throughout your home, think about installing a number of them. You should have the opportunity to switch out any light fixture in the center of the room for a smooth, effective and stylish ceiling fan.
Bear in mind that ceiling fans run best when the blades rest 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 should be a minimum of eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings may not benefit the way rooms with lower ceilings will.
As you may imagine, larger fans can push more air than smaller ones. Go for a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms as much as 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for bigger rooms. You can also set up multiple fans in the same area to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Confirm the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can work in both directions. Confirm yours is adjusted to spin counterclockwise during summer. This drives air back down to make the breeze feel more apparent.
If you’re not sure whether your fan is spinning the right way, turn it on and sit directly underneath it. If the breeze feels inadequate for how quickly the blades are turning, you might need to switch the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, usually if they’re mounted on a vaulted ceiling. Check for a button on the remote to switch the direction. If your fan doesn’t possess a remote, run your hand along the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can rotate in both directions because driving the air upward is useful for decreasing heating bills in the winter. So when the seasons change, set your fan to spin clockwise and keep it on low to circulate warm air around the ceiling back toward the living room without creating a breeze. This approach is very useful in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Reset the Thermostat
You have to turn up the thermostat to fully appreciate energy savings from running a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t stress over feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect produced by using a ceiling fan makes the room appear about 4 degrees cooler. This approach, which can make winter conditions particularly bad, is the secret to home comfort and energy savings during the summer.
If you normally keep your house at 75 degrees, try setting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to cover for the wind chill effect produced by running a ceiling fan. Then, change your outfit to increase your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season enables you to improve comfort while lowering cooling costs.
Switch Off the Fans in Empty Areas
It’s a popular belief that ceiling fans bring down the temperature in the room. Sure, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is move air around. As a result, there’s never a reason to keep a ceiling fan moving in an empty room. Fans might cost pennies on the dollar to run as opposed to AC systems, but every little bit helps, so turn off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
See Your Energy Savings Grow
If you adhere to the tips shown above, you should observe a drop in your air conditioning bills all summer long. After all, you can save approximately 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you adjust the thermostat. And by enjoying the wind chill effect formed by the ceiling fan, you can receive savings without giving up comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning
Simply, you shouldn’t undervalue the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort during summer! If you want air conditioning services sometime soon, check out Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to resolve your problem fast. 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. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with the HVAC pros at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.