If your idea is to stay cool without spiking your energy bills, you’ll probably count on your ceiling fan a lot this summer. A common technique is to run a fan without AC until it gets really hot, then flip the fan off and run the air conditioner instead. This is a mistake! Having the ceiling fan and air conditioner at the same time is the most beneficial way to maximize comfort and energy savings.
It might feel redundant to use two cooling methods simultaneously, but fans make your air conditioner more productive. Follow these five tips to help you get the maximum benefit from your air conditioning system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First things first—if you don’t already have ceiling fans throughout your home, consider installing a number of them. You should be able to change out any light fixture in the center of the room for a quiet, efficient and eye-catching ceiling fan.
Bear in mind that ceiling fans work 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 must be a minimum of eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings may not benefit the same amount.
As you can imagine, bigger fans can push more air than shorter ones. Try a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms approximately 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for bigger rooms. You can also install multiple fans in the same area to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Confirm the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can run in both directions. Ensure yours is set to spin counterclockwise during the summer. This pushes air down to make the breeze seem more obvious.
If you’re unsure whether the fan is spinning the right way, turn it on and sit exactly below it. If the breeze appears low for how quickly the blades are turning, you potentially need to change the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, usually if they’re fitted 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 rotate both ways because driving the air upward is useful for lowering heating costs in the winter. So when the seasons change, flip your fan to rotate clockwise and run it on low to disperse warm air toward the ceiling back down to the living room without creating a breeze. This strategy is especially useful in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Reset the Thermostat
You should adjust the thermostat to fully appreciate energy savings from running a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t worry about feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect made by running a ceiling fan makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. This approach, which can make winter cold miserable, is the answer to home comfort and energy savings in the summer.
If you typically keep your house about 75 degrees, consider setting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to cover for the wind chill effect created by using a ceiling fan. Then, change your outfit to enhance your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season permits you to optimize comfort while reducing cooling costs.
Turn Off the Fans in Unoccupied Areas
It’s a popular assumption that ceiling fans reduce the temperature in the room. Yes, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is push air around. As a result, there’s never a reason to keep a ceiling fan running in an empty room. Fans will cost pennies on the dollar to use in contrast to air conditioners, but every little bit helps, so switch off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
Watch Your Energy Savings Grow
If you follow the tips outlined above, you could notice a decrease in your air conditioning bills throughout the summer. After all, you can save nearly 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 receive savings without compromising comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning
Plainly, you shouldn’t overlook the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort this 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 work as proficiently as possible, ensuring it works together with your ceiling fans to keep your home and family comfortable for less. Contact us today to arrange an appointment with the HVAC pros at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.