If the plan is to stay cool without spiking your energy bills, you’ll likely depend on your ceiling fan considerably this summer. A well-known approach is to use a fan without AC until it gets extremely hot, then turn the fan off and run the air conditioner in its place. This is a mistake! Operating the ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously is the best way to optimize comfort and energy savings.
It may feel excessive to pursue two cooling methods together, but fans make your air conditioner more efficient. Consider these five tips to help you get the most from your cooling system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, look into installing a number of them. You should be able to change out any light fixture in the middle of the room for a quiet, reliable and fashionable 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 have to be at least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings might not benefit as much.
As you may imagine, longer fans can move more air than smaller sized ones. Go for 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 set up multiple fans in a line to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Check the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can work in both directions. Make sure yours is adjusted to spin counterclockwise during summer. This forces air down to make the breeze seem more apparent.
If you’re uncertain whether the fan is turning the right way, flip it on and sit right under it. If the breeze seems weak for how rapidly the blades are spinning, you likely need to change the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, in particular if they’re mounted on a vaulted ceiling. Look for a button on the remote to switch the direction. If your fan doesn’t have a remote, feel around the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can spin either way because driving the air upward is useful for decreasing heating expenses in the winter. So when the seasons change, adjust your fan to spin clockwise and keep it on low to distribute warm air near the ceiling back down to the living room without creating a breeze. This technique is especially effective in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Turn Up the Thermostat
You should change the thermostat to make the most of energy savings from running a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t stress over feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect made by running a ceiling fan makes the room appear around 4 degrees cooler. This strategy, which can make winter cold unpleasant, is the key to home comfort and energy savings during the summer.
If you normally keep your house around 75 degrees, try adjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to make up for the wind chill effect created by using a ceiling fan. Then, switch up your outfit to enhance your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season allows you to maximize comfort while reducing cooling costs.
Switch Off the Fans in Empty Areas
It’s a popular belief that ceiling fans reduce the temperature in the room. Sure, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is move air around. As a result, there’s no reason to keep a ceiling fan working in an empty room. Fans will cost pennies on the dollar to use as opposed to air conditioners, but every little bit matters, so shut 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 recognize a drop in your air conditioning bills all summer long. After all, you can save approximately 3 percent on your cooling costs for every 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 Comfort Masters Service Experts
Clearly, you shouldn’t disregard the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort during summer! If you want air conditioning services at any time, turn to Comfort Masters Service Experts to fix your problem promptly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work 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 request an appointment with the HVAC pros at Comfort Masters Service Experts.