If the idea is to keep cool without increasing your energy bills, you’ll certainly depend on your ceiling fan a great deal this summer. A well-known approach is to use a fan without AC until it gets excessively hot, then shut the fan off and try the air conditioner when you really need it. This is a mistake! Having the ceiling fan and air conditioner at the same time is the most beneficial way to improve comfort and energy savings.
It might feel unnecessary to pursue two cooling methods at the same time, but fans make your air conditioner more efficient. Follow these five tips to help you get the most from your AC system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First things first—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, look into installing a number of them. You should have the ability to switch out any light fixture in the center of the room for a silent, effective and stylish ceiling fan.
Remember that ceiling fans work 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 a minimum of eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings will not benefit the same amount.
As you can imagine, larger fans can propel more air than shorter ones. Get a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms approximately 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for deeper rooms. You can also set up multiple fans in a row to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Check the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can operate in both directions. Verify yours is ready to spin counterclockwise in the summertime. This pushes air back down to make the breeze seem more obvious.
If you’re uncertain whether the fan is rotating the right way, flip it on and stay right below it. If the breeze seems low for how quickly the blades are spinning, you likely need to switch 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 switch the direction. If your fan doesn’t possess a remote, check the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can rotate both ways because forcing the air upward is useful for cutting down heating expenses in the winter. So when the seasons change, set your fan to turn clockwise and use it on low to disperse warm air near the ceiling back down to the living space without generating a breeze. This method is particularly helpful in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Turn Up the Thermostat
You should change the thermostat to fully appreciate energy savings from using a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t be afraid of feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect produced by using a ceiling fan makes the room seem about 4 degrees cooler. This approach, which can make winter conditions miserable, is the answer to home comfort and energy savings for the summer.
If you typically keep your house at 75 degrees, try 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 increase your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season allows you to optimize comfort while reducing cooling costs.
Switch Off the Fans in Unusued Areas
It’s a popular assumption that ceiling fans lower the temperature in a room. Yes, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is move air around. As a result, there’s not a good reason to keep a ceiling fan working in an unoccupied room. Fans might cost pennies on the dollar to operate compared to 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 stick to the tips detailed above, you will recognize a decrease in your air conditioning costs for the rest of the summer. After all, you can save up to 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you adjust the thermostat. And by enjoying the wind chill effect formed by the ceiling fan, you can enjoy savings without compromising comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning
Truly, you shouldn’t undervalue the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort during summer! If you want air conditioning services sometime soon, check out Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to resolve your problem promptly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner perform as efficiently as possible, ensuring it works along with your ceiling fans to keep your home and family comfortable for less. Call us today to arrange an appointment with the HVAC pros at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.