Try These Five Tips for Using Ceiling Fans Along with Your AC 

If your intent is to keep cool without racking up your energy bills, you’ll probably depend on your ceiling fan a lot this summer. A prevalent technique is to use a fan without AC until it gets too hot, then shut the fan off and use the air conditioner instead. This is a mistake! Having the ceiling fan and air conditioner at the same time is the best way to optimize comfort and energy savings. 

It may feel redundant to use two cooling methods at the same time, but fans make your air conditioner more powerful. Consider these five tips to help you get the most from your AC system this summer. 

Install a Ceiling Fan 

First off—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, consider installing a number of them. You should be able to change out any light fixture in the center of the room for a smooth, reliable and stylish ceiling fan. 

Don’t forget 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 as much. 

As you might imagine, longer fans can push more air than shorter ones. Get a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms approximately 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for bigger rooms. You can also install multiple fans in a line to cool rooms longer than 18 feet. 

Confirm the Fan’s Direction 

Ceiling fans can move in both directions. Verify yours is adjusted to spin counterclockwise in the summertime. This pushes air back down to make the breeze appear more obvious. 

If you’re uncertain whether your fan is rotating the right way, turn it on and stay directly under it. If the breeze appears inadequate for how rapidly the blades are rotating, you probably need to switch the direction. 

Some fans have a remote control, usually if they’re fitted on a vaulted ceiling. Look for a button on the remote to switch the direction. If your fan doesn’t possess a remote, check the motor housing for a reversing switch. 

Ceiling fans can rotate either way because forcing the air upward is useful for decreasing heating costs in the winter. So when the seasons change, flip your fan to spin clockwise and use it on low to disperse warm air close to the ceiling back down to the living room without creating a breeze. This approach is particularly effective in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings. 

Turn Up the Thermostat 

You must turn up 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 created by turning on a ceiling fan makes the room seem around 4 degrees cooler. This approach, which can make winter weather particularly bad, is the trick to home comfort and energy savings for the summer. 

If you typically keep your house around 75 degrees, try readjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to cover 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 improve comfort while minimizing cooling costs

Switch Off the Fans in Unusued Areas 

It’s a widespread misconception that ceiling fans reduce the temperature in the room. Yes, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is shift air around. As a result, there’s never a reason to keep a ceiling fan moving in an unused room. Fans might cost pennies on the dollar to run versus AC systems, but every little bit matters, so turn off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room. 

Watch Your Energy Savings Grow 

If you stick to the tips shown above, you should recognize a drop 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 appreciating the wind chill effect formed by the ceiling fan, you can enjoy savings without sacrificing comfort. 

Keep Cool with Help from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 

Truly, you shouldn’t underestimate the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort this summer! If you need air conditioning services sometime soon, check out Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to solve your problem fast. 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 arrange an appointment with the HVAC pros at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. 

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