If your intent is to stay cool without racking up your energy bills, you’ll likely depend on your ceiling fan considerably this summer. A prevalent technique is to operate a fan without AC until it gets really hot, then turn the fan off and try the air conditioner when you really need it. This is a mistake! Having the ceiling fan and air conditioner together is the most beneficial way to optimize comfort and energy savings.
It can appear redundant to pursue two cooling methods at once, but fans make your air conditioner more powerful. Use these five tips to help you get more from your AC system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First off—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, consider installing a number of them. You should have the opportunity to switch out any light fixture in the center of the room for a quiet, reliable and stylish ceiling fan.
Keep in mind that ceiling fans function best when the blades are 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 have to be at the least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings may not benefit the way rooms with lower ceilings will.
As you can imagine, longer fans can push more air than smaller ones. Get a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms up to 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for bigger rooms. You can also put in multiple fans in a line to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Determine the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can spin in both directions. Verify yours is ready to spin counterclockwise during summer. This forces air back down to make the breeze feel more obvious.
If you’re uncertain whether the fan is turning the right way, turn it on and stay exactly underneath it. If the breeze appears inadequate for how fast the blades are spinning, you likely need to change the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, particularly if they’re put in on a vaulted ceiling. Search for a button on the remote to change the direction. If your fan doesn’t possess a remote, feel around the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can spin either way because pushing the air upward is useful for cutting down heating expenses in the winter. So when the seasons change, adjust your fan to spin clockwise and keep it on low to circulate warm air toward the ceiling back toward the living room without generating a breeze. This method is particularly effective in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Adjust the Thermostat
You have to change the thermostat to enjoy energy savings from using 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 up to 4 degrees cooler. This concept, which can make winter cold miserable, is the key to home comfort and energy savings for the summer.
If you typically keep your house about 75 degrees, consider adjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to compensate for the wind chill effect made by running a ceiling fan. Then, change your outfit to improve your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season permits you to enhance comfort while reducing cooling costs.
Switch Off the Fans in Unusued Areas
It’s a popular misconception that ceiling fans reduce the temperature in the room. Yes, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is move air around. As a result, there’s no reason to keep a ceiling fan working in an empty room. Fans may cost pennies on the dollar to use versus AC systems, but every little bit matters, so shut off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
Watch Your Energy Savings Grow
If you use the tips listed above, you will recognize a drop in your air conditioning bills throughout the summer. After all, you can save as much as 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you raise the thermostat. And by taking advantage of the wind chill effect created by the ceiling fan, you can enjoy savings without sacrificing 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 at any time, check out Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to solve your problem promptly. 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.