If your intent is to stay cool without spiking your energy bills, you’ll probably count on your ceiling fan a lot this summer. A well-known strategy is to run a fan without AC until it gets really hot, then turn the fan off and try the air conditioner in its place. This is a mistake! Having the ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously is a great way to optimize comfort and energy savings.
It can seem redundant to pursue two cooling methods at the same time, but fans make your air conditioner more effective. Try these five tips to help you get more from your cooling system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First things first—if you don’t already have ceiling fans in your home, consider installing some. You should be able to switch out any light fixture in the heart of the room for a smooth, effective and eye-catching ceiling fan.
Bear in mind that ceiling fans run 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 should be at the least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings may not benefit the same amount.
As you can imagine, longer fans can push more air than smaller ones. Try a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms approximately 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for bigger rooms. You can also put in 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 set to spin counterclockwise during the summer. This pushes air downward to make the breeze appear more apparent.
If you’re not sure whether the fan is turning the right way, turn it on and stay straight beneath it. If the breeze seems low for how fast the blades are turning, you probably need to reverse the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, in particular if they’re put in on a vaulted ceiling. Check for a button on the remote to change the direction. If your fan doesn’t have a remote, run your hand along the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can turn either way because driving the air upward is useful for decreasing heating costs in the winter. So when the seasons change, flip your fan to turn clockwise and run it on low to disperse warm air toward the ceiling back down to the living room without creating a breeze. This strategy is particularly useful in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Turn Up the Thermostat
You have to adjust the thermostat to fully appreciate energy savings from using a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t stress over feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect made by turning on a ceiling fan makes the room appear up to 4 degrees cooler. This principle, which can make winter conditions miserable, is the secret to home comfort and energy savings in the summer.
If you generally keep your house around 75 degrees, consider readjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to compensate for the wind chill effect made by running a ceiling fan. Then, adjust your outfit to boost your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season permits you to enhance comfort while lowering cooling costs.
Turn Off the Fans in Empty Areas
It’s a common misconception that ceiling fans bring down the temperature in a room. Of course, 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 moving in an empty room. Fans will cost pennies on the dollar to run versus AC systems, but every little bit helps, so turn off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
See Your Energy Savings Grow
If you use the tips shown above, you could notice a drop in your air conditioning expenses all summer long. After all, you can save as much as 3 percent on your cooling costs for every degree you adjust the thermostat. And by appreciating the wind chill effect created by the ceiling fan, you can enjoy savings without compromising comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Strand Brothers Service Experts
Truly, you shouldn’t overlook the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort in summer! If you want air conditioning services sometime soon, look to Strand Brothers Service Experts to address your problem fast. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work as effectively as possible, ensuring it works along with your ceiling fans to keep your home and family comfortable for less. Call us today to request an appointment with the HVAC pros at Strand Brothers Service Experts.