If the idea is to keep cool without increasing your energy bills, you’ll likely rely on your ceiling fan all the time this summer. A well-known technique is to use a fan without AC until it gets very hot, then shut the fan off and run the air conditioner in its place. This is a mistake! Operating the ceiling fan and air conditioner together is a great way to maximize comfort and energy savings.
It might seem unnecessary to use two cooling methods together, but fans make your air conditioner more productive. Follow these five tips to help you get the maximum benefit from your air conditioning system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First things first—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, look into installing a number of them. You should have the ability to switch out any light fixture in the center of the room for a silent, effective and stylish ceiling fan.
Keep in mind 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 must be at the least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings will not benefit the same amount.
As you might imagine, longer fans can move more air than smaller ones. Get a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms up to 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for bigger 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 move in both directions. Confirm yours is ready to spin counterclockwise in the summertime. This forces air back down to make the breeze seem more obvious.
If you’re unsure whether your fan is spinning the right way, turn it on and sit directly below it. If the breeze seems low for how rapidly the blades are spinning, you potentially need to change the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, usually if they’re installed on a vaulted ceiling. Look for a button on the remote to switch the direction. If your fan doesn’t have a remote, inspect the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can rotate either way because forcing the air upward is useful for cutting down heating costs in the winter. So when the seasons change, adjust your fan to spin clockwise and keep it on low to distribute warm air close to the ceiling back down to the living room without producing a breeze. This strategy is very effective in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Reset the Thermostat
You should change the thermostat to enjoy energy savings from running a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t worry about feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect created by using a ceiling fan makes the room appear around 4 degrees cooler. This approach, which can make winter conditions miserable, is the key to home comfort and energy savings in the summer.
If you usually keep your house at 75 degrees, try adjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to make up for the wind chill effect produced by using a ceiling fan. Then, modify your outfit to increase your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season allows you to enhance comfort while minimizing cooling costs.
Shut Off the Fans in Unusued Areas
It’s a widespread misconception that ceiling fans reduce the temperature in a room. Yes, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is push air around. As a result, there’s not a good reason to keep a ceiling fan running 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 stick to the tips listed above, you will observe a drop in your air conditioning expenses all summer long. After all, you can save approximately 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you raise the thermostat. And by using the wind chill effect created by the ceiling fan, you can receive savings without losing out on comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Air Engineers Service Experts
Simply, you shouldn’t disregard the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort this summer! If you want air conditioning services at any time, check out Air Engineers Service Experts to solve your problem promptly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner run as efficiently as possible, ensuring it works along 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 Air Engineers Service Experts.