If the plan is to keep cool without spiking your energy bills, you’ll probably rely on your ceiling fan all the time this summer. A good approach is to operate a fan without AC until it gets extremely hot, then shut the fan off and try the air conditioner when you really need it. This is a mistake! Operating the ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously is the optimal way to increase comfort and energy savings.
It might appear redundant to use two cooling methods at once, but fans make your air conditioner more efficient. 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 in your home, look into installing some. You should have the opportunity to change out any light fixture in the center of the room for a smooth, reliable and fashionable ceiling fan.
Keep in mind that ceiling fans work 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 might not benefit as much.
As you might imagine, longer fans can move more air than smaller sized ones. Opt for a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms up to 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for bigger rooms. You can also set up multiple fans in a line to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Check the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can work in both directions. Make sure yours is set to spin counterclockwise during the summer. This pushes air back down to make the breeze seem more apparent.
If you’re unsure whether the fan is turning the right way, turn it on and stand right under it. If the breeze feels inadequate for how fast the blades are rotating, you might need to switch the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, particularly if they’re put in on a vaulted ceiling. Look for a button on the remote to change the direction. If your fan doesn’t possess a remote, run your hand along the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can spin in both directions because forcing the air upward is useful for reducing heating costs in the winter. So when the seasons change, adjust your fan to turn clockwise and use it on low to distribute warm air around the ceiling back toward the living space without producing a breeze. This strategy is especially beneficial in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Reset the Thermostat
You should change the thermostat to make the most of energy savings from using a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t worry about feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect produced by turning on a ceiling fan makes the room seem up to 4 degrees cooler. This approach, which can make winter weather miserable, is the key to home comfort and energy savings in the summer.
If you typically keep your house about 75 degrees, try readjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to cover 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 enables you to improve comfort while reducing cooling costs.
Switch Off the Fans in Empty Areas
It’s a popular belief that ceiling fans reduce the temperature in a room. Sure, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is move air around. As a result, there’s never a reason to keep a ceiling fan working in an unused room. Fans might cost pennies on the dollar to use compared to 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 adhere to the tips shown above, you will observe a reduction in your air conditioning expenses for the rest of the summer. After all, you can save approximately 3 percent on your cooling costs for every degree you adjust the thermostat. And by enjoying the wind chill effect produced by the ceiling fan, you can receive savings without giving up comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning
Plainly, you shouldn’t underestimate the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort in summer! If you want air conditioning services sometime soon, check out Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to solve your problem promptly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work 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 arrange an appointment with the HVAC pros at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.