If your idea is to keep cool without spiking your energy bills, you’ll likely rely on your ceiling fan all the time this summer. A good technique is to use a fan without AC until it gets extremely hot, then switch the fan off and run the air conditioner instead. This is a mistake! Running the ceiling fan and air conditioner together is the optimal way to optimize comfort and energy savings.
It can seem unnecessary to pursue two cooling methods at the same time, but fans make your air conditioner more efficient. Try these five tips to help you get more from your cooling system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First—if you don’t already have ceiling fans throughout your home, think about installing a number of them. You should have the opportunity to swap out any light fixture in the heart of the room for a smooth, reliable and stylish ceiling fan.
Keep in mind that ceiling fans work best when the blades sit 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 least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings may not benefit the same amount.
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 bigger rooms. You can also put in multiple fans in a line to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Confirm the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can run in both directions. Make sure yours is adjusted to spin counterclockwise during the summer. This pushes air back down to make the breeze seem more prominent.
If you’re unsure whether a fan is spinning the right way, turn it on and sit straight under it. If the breeze seems weak for how rapidly the blades are rotating, you potentially need to change the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, in particular if they’re put in on a vaulted ceiling. Search for a button on the remote to change the direction. If your fan doesn’t use a remote, feel around the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can spin either way because forcing the air upward is useful for reducing heating costs in the winter. So when the seasons change, flip your fan to rotate clockwise and run it on low to circulate warm air close to the ceiling back to the living room without producing a breeze. This technique is especially helpful in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Reset the Thermostat
You must adjust the thermostat to fully appreciate energy savings from running a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t stress over feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect created by running a ceiling fan makes the room appear around 4 degrees cooler. This principle, which can make winter cold miserable, is the secret to home comfort and energy savings for the summer.
If you typically keep your house at 75 degrees, consider readjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to cover for the wind chill effect made by using a ceiling fan. Then, adjust your outfit to enhance your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season enables you to maximize comfort while reducing cooling costs.
Turn Off the Fans in Unusued Areas
It’s a widespread belief that ceiling fans lower the temperature in a room. Of course, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is shift air around. As a result, there’s not a good reason to keep a ceiling fan working in an empty room. Fans will cost pennies on the dollar to run in contrast to AC systems, but every little bit helps, so switch off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
See Your Energy Savings Grow
If you follow the tips outlined above, you will recognize a reduction in your air conditioning expenses for the rest of the summer. After all, you can save as much as 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you adjust the thermostat. And by using the wind chill effect produced by the ceiling fan, you can enjoy savings without compromising comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Barlow Service Experts
Clearly, you shouldn’t undervalue the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort this summer! If you need air conditioning services sometime soon, choose Barlow Service Experts to address your problem promptly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner perform 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 Barlow Service Experts.