If your goal is to keep cool without spiking your energy bills, you’ll certainly depend on your ceiling fan considerably this summer. A common approach is to run a fan without AC until it gets very hot, then flip the fan off and use the air conditioner in its place. This is a mistake! Running the ceiling fan and air conditioner in unison is the best way to maximize comfort and energy savings.
It might seem excessive to use two cooling methods at the same time, but fans make your air conditioner more efficient. Try these five tips to help you get more from your AC system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, consider installing some. 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.
Remember 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 have to be at least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings may not benefit the same amount.
As you may imagine, larger fans can push more air than smaller ones. Choose a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms as much as 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for deeper rooms. You can also set up multiple fans in the same area to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Check the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can operate in both directions. Confirm yours is adjusted to spin counterclockwise during the summer. This forces air downward to make the breeze appear more obvious.
If you’re uncertain whether a fan is turning the right way, flip it on and stay exactly below it. If the breeze feels inadequate for how quickly the blades are turning, you probably need to reverse the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, particularly if they’re mounted on a vaulted ceiling. Search for a button on the remote to reverse the direction. If your fan doesn’t use a remote, check the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can rotate in both directions because forcing the air upward is useful for lowering heating expenses in the winter. So when the seasons change, adjust your fan to turn clockwise and use it on low to distribute warm air near the ceiling back down to the living space without creating a breeze. This approach is especially beneficial in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Turn Up the Thermostat
You should adjust the thermostat to fully appreciate energy savings from running a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t concern yourself with feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect created by turning on a ceiling fan makes the room seem up to 4 degrees cooler. This strategy, which can make winter conditions unpleasant, is the answer to home comfort and energy savings during the summer.
If you typically keep your house about 75 degrees, think about adjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to compensate for the wind chill effect made by using a ceiling fan. Then, switch up your outfit to improve your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season allows you to improve comfort while lowering cooling costs.
Switch Off the Fans in Unoccupied Areas
It’s a common assumption that ceiling fans drop 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 running in an unoccupied room. Fans might cost pennies on the dollar to run as opposed to air conditioners, but every little bit matters, 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 detailed above, you should notice a reduction in your air conditioning bills throughout the summer. After all, you can save nearly 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you adjust the thermostat. And by using the wind chill effect produced by the ceiling fan, you can experience savings without compromising comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Strogen's Service Experts
Simply, you shouldn’t underestimate the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort this summer! If you need air conditioning services sometime soon, look to Strogen's Service Experts to address your problem quickly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner run as efficiently as possible, ensuring it works in tandem 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 Strogen's Service Experts.