If your idea is to stay cool without increasing your energy bills, you’ll probably depend on your ceiling fan a lot this summer. A prevalent strategy is to operate a fan without AC until it gets excessively hot, then flip the fan off and use the air conditioner in its place. This is a mistake! Operating the ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously is the best way to improve comfort and energy savings.
It may feel redundant to pursue two cooling methods at the same time, but fans make your air conditioner more efficient. Use these five tips to help you get the most from your AC system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First—if you don’t already have ceiling fans throughout your home, look into installing a few. You should be able to switch out any light fixture in the heart of the room for a quiet, reliable and fashionable ceiling fan.
Keep in mind that ceiling fans function best when the blades are 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 should be at the least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings might not benefit the same amount.
As you can imagine, longer fans can push more air than smaller ones. Choose a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms approximately 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for larger rooms. You can also put in multiple fans in a line to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Determine the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can run in both directions. Ensure yours is adjusted to spin counterclockwise in the summertime. This pushes air back down to make the breeze seem more prominent.
If you’re not sure whether the fan is rotating the right way, switch it on and sit straight below it. If the breeze seems inadequate for how quickly the blades are rotating, you likely 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 switch the direction. If your fan doesn’t use a remote, check the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can rotate both ways because moving the air upward is useful for decreasing heating bills in the winter. So when the seasons change, flip your fan to rotate clockwise and use it on low to circulate warm air close to the ceiling back toward the living room without producing a breeze. This approach is especially beneficial in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Adjust the Thermostat
You should change the thermostat to fully appreciate energy savings from running a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t worry about feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect made by turning on a ceiling fan makes the room feel up to 4 degrees cooler. This principle, which can make winter conditions miserable, is the trick to home comfort and energy savings for the summer.
If you generally keep your house around 75 degrees, think about setting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to compensate for the wind chill effect made by using a ceiling fan. Then, adjust your outfit to improve your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season allows you to enhance comfort while minimizing cooling costs.
Shut Off the Fans in Unoccupied Areas
It’s a common misconception that ceiling fans bring down the temperature in the room. Sure, 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 working in an unused room. Fans may cost pennies on the dollar to operate in contrast to air conditioners, 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 stick to the tips laid out above, you will notice a drop in your air conditioning bills for the rest of the summer. After all, you can save approximately 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you adjust the thermostat. And by enjoying the wind chill effect produced by the ceiling fan, you can experience savings without losing out on comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Wesley Wood Service Experts
Plainly, you shouldn’t disregard the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort during summer! If you want air conditioning services at any point, check out Wesley Wood Service Experts to fix your problem fast. Our technicians can help your air conditioner run as proficiently as possible, ensuring it works in tandem with your ceiling fans to keep your home and family comfortable for less. Call us today to schedule an appointment with the HVAC pros at Wesley Wood Service Experts.