If your plan is to stay cool without spiking your energy bills, you’ll certainly depend on your ceiling fan considerably this summer. A common strategy is to use a fan without AC until it gets excessively hot, then turn the fan off and use the air conditioner when you really need it. This is a mistake! Operating the ceiling fan and air conditioner at the same time is the best way to maximize comfort and energy savings.
It can seem unnecessary to try two cooling methods together, 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, look into installing a number of them. You should have the ability to change out any light fixture in the heart of the room for a smooth, effective and stylish ceiling fan.
Bear in mind that ceiling fans function best when the blades will be 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 least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings might not benefit as much.
As you might imagine, larger fans can move more air than shorter ones. Choose a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms approximately 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.
Determine the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can operate in both directions. Make sure yours is set to spin counterclockwise during summer. This pushes air back down to make the breeze feel 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 rapidly the blades are turning, you might need to reverse the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, usually if they’re fitted on a vaulted ceiling. Look for a button on the remote to change the direction. If your fan doesn’t have a remote, check the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can rotate both ways because forcing the air upward is useful for lowering heating bills in the winter. So when the seasons change, flip your fan to turn clockwise and run it on low to circulate warm air close to the ceiling back to the living space without generating a breeze. This strategy is very beneficial in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Turn Up the Thermostat
You need 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 produced by running a ceiling fan makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. This concept, which can make winter cold unpleasant, is the secret to home comfort and energy savings during the summer.
If you typically keep your house about 75 degrees, think about setting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to cover for the wind chill effect made by using a ceiling fan. Then, adjust your outfit to enhance your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season allows you to improve comfort while minimizing cooling costs.
Switch Off the Fans in Unusued Areas
It’s a common assumption that ceiling fans bring down the temperature in a room. Yes, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is push air around. As a result, there’s no reason to keep a ceiling fan on in an empty room. Fans might cost pennies on the dollar to operate as opposed to air conditioners, but every little bit helps, so shut off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
Watch Your Energy Savings Grow
If you adhere to the tips listed above, you could recognize a reduction in your air conditioning costs all summer long. After all, you can save up to 3 percent on your cooling costs for every degree you adjust the thermostat. And by taking advantage of the wind chill effect formed by the ceiling fan, you can receive savings without compromising 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 in summer! If you need air conditioning services sometime soon, choose Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to fix your problem promptly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work as effectively as possible, ensuring it works along with your ceiling fans to keep your home and family comfortable for less. Call us today to request an appointment with the HVAC pros at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.