If your plan is to keep cool without jacking up your energy bills, you’ll certainly rely on your ceiling fan a lot this summer. A good strategy is to use a fan without AC until it gets extremely hot, then shut the fan off and try the air conditioner instead. This is a mistake! Operating the ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously is the best way to improve comfort and energy savings.
It may appear unnecessary to use two cooling methods simultaneously, but fans make your air conditioner more effective. Try 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 all over your home, think about installing some. You should have the opportunity to swap out any light fixture in the middle of the room for a quiet, reliable and stylish ceiling fan.
Don't forget that ceiling fans function 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 will not benefit as much.
As you can imagine, larger fans can propel more air than smaller sized ones. Choose a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms as much as 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for larger rooms. You can also install multiple fans in the same area to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Check the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can spin in both directions. Confirm yours is adjusted to spin counterclockwise during summer. This pushes air down to make the breeze seem more apparent.
If you’re not sure whether a fan is spinning the right way, flip it on and stand straight below it. If the breeze appears low for how rapidly the blades are turning, you might need to switch the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, especially if they’re fitted on a vaulted ceiling. Check 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 rotate in both directions because forcing the air upward is useful for lowering heating costs in the winter. So when the seasons change, set your fan to spin clockwise and use it on low to disperse warm air close to the ceiling back toward the living space without creating a breeze. This technique is particularly beneficial in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Turn Up the Thermostat
You need to change 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 running a ceiling fan makes the room appear about 4 degrees cooler. This approach, which can make winter cold particularly bad, is the key to home comfort and energy savings in the summer.
If you ordinarily keep your house about 75 degrees, think about adjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to make up for the wind chill effect produced by running a ceiling fan. Then, adjust your outfit to improve your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season allows you to maximize comfort while lowering cooling costs.
Shut Off the Fans in Empty Areas
It’s a widespread misconception that ceiling fans lower the temperature in a room. Yes, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is shift air around. As a result, there’s no reason to keep a ceiling fan moving in an empty room. Fans may cost pennies on the dollar to run in contrast to AC systems, 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 adhere to the tips shown above, you should notice a decrease in your air conditioning expenses throughout the summer. After all, you can save nearly 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you adjust the thermostat. And by taking advantage of the wind chill effect created by the ceiling fan, you can experience savings without compromising comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Stallion Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning
Clearly, you shouldn’t disregard the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort during summer! If you need air conditioning services at any time, choose Stallion Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning to fix your problem quickly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work as proficiently as possible, ensuring it works together with your ceiling fans to keep your home and family comfortable for less. Contact us today to request an appointment with the HVAC pros at Stallion Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning.