If the intent is to stay cool without spiking your energy bills, you’ll certainly rely on your ceiling fan a lot this summer. A well-known approach is to use a fan without AC until it gets really hot, then flip the fan off and use the air conditioner when you really need it. This is a mistake! Operating the ceiling fan and air conditioner together is the optimal way to optimize comfort and energy savings.
It can appear unnecessary to pursue two cooling methods simultaneously, but fans make your air conditioner more effective. Use these five tips to help you get the most from your cooling system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First off—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, consider installing a few. You should have the opportunity to swap out any light fixture in the center of the room for a smooth, reliable and stylish ceiling fan.
Keep in mind that ceiling fans run 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 the least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings might not benefit the way rooms with lower ceilings will.
As you may imagine, longer fans can push more air than smaller ones. Get 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 a row to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Check the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can operate in both directions. Confirm yours is set to spin counterclockwise during the summer. This forces air down to make the breeze appear more apparent.
If you’re uncertain whether a fan is spinning the right way, switch it on and stand directly beneath it. If the breeze feels low for how rapidly the blades are spinning, you probably need to change the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, in particular if they’re put in on a vaulted ceiling. Look for a button on the remote to reverse the direction. If your fan doesn’t have a remote, check the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can spin both ways because forcing the air upward is useful for decreasing heating expenses in the winter. So when the seasons change, adjust your fan to spin clockwise and run it on low to distribute warm air around the ceiling back down to the living space without generating a breeze. This approach is particularly beneficial in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Reset the Thermostat
You should turn up the thermostat to enjoy energy savings from running a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t worry about feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect made by using a ceiling fan makes the room appear up to 4 degrees cooler. This strategy, which can make winter cold miserable, is the key to home comfort and energy savings for the summer.
If you typically keep your house around 75 degrees, think about readjusting 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 boost your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season allows you to enhance comfort while reducing cooling costs.
Turn Off the Fans in Unusued Areas
It’s a widespread assumption that ceiling fans bring down the temperature in the room. Sure, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is shift air around. As a result, there’s not a good reason to keep a ceiling fan on in an empty room. Fans may cost pennies on the dollar to run versus AC systems, but every little bit counts, so switch off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
See Your Energy Savings Grow
If you adhere to the tips laid out above, you will notice a decrease in your air conditioning costs throughout the summer. After all, you can save as much as 3 percent on your cooling costs for every degree you adjust the thermostat. And by taking advantage of the wind chill effect created by the ceiling fan, you can enjoy savings without giving up comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Teays Valley Service Experts
Truly, you shouldn’t underestimate the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort during summer! If you want air conditioning services at any time, choose Teays Valley Service Experts to solve your problem fast. 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 Teays Valley Service Experts.