If your idea is to stay cool without jacking up your energy bills, you’ll probably depend on your ceiling fan a lot this summer. A common approach is to use a fan without AC until it gets very hot, then switch the fan off and run the air conditioner instead. This is a mistake! Having the ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously is the optimal way to maximize comfort and energy savings.
It can feel redundant to try two cooling methods simultaneously, but fans make your air conditioner more productive. Use these five tips to help you get the most from your air conditioning system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First things 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 switch out any light fixture in the heart of the room for a smooth, efficient and eye-catching ceiling fan.
Keep in mind that ceiling fans work best when the blades are 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 might not benefit as much.
As you might imagine, bigger fans can propel more air than shorter ones. Try a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms approximately 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for larger rooms. You can also set up multiple fans in a row to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Determine the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can move in both directions. Verify yours is ready to spin counterclockwise during summer. This drives air back down to make the breeze appear more prominent.
If you’re unsure whether a fan is rotating the right way, turn it on and stand exactly beneath it. If the breeze appears inadequate for how fast the blades are turning, you probably need to change the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, particularly if they’re installed on a vaulted ceiling. Search for a button on the remote to change the direction. If your fan doesn’t possess a remote, inspect the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can turn either way because forcing the air upward is useful for decreasing heating expenses in the winter. So when the seasons change, adjust your fan to turn clockwise and keep it on low to circulate warm air near the ceiling back to the living room without creating a breeze. This approach is especially effective in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Turn Up the Thermostat
You need to 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 made by using a ceiling fan makes the room appear up to 4 degrees cooler. This approach, which can make winter cold particularly bad, is the answer to home comfort and energy savings for the summer.
If you usually keep your house about 75 degrees, think about readjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to cover for the wind chill effect produced by using a ceiling fan. Then, switch up your outfit to enhance your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season allows you to enhance comfort while minimizing cooling costs.
Turn Off the Fans in Unoccupied Areas
It’s a common belief that ceiling fans drop the temperature in a room. Sure, 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 running in an unused room. Fans may cost pennies on the dollar to run compared to AC systems, but every little bit matters, so switch off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
Watch Your Energy Savings Grow
If you adhere to the tips detailed above, you could observe 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 raise the thermostat. And by appreciating the wind chill effect formed by the ceiling fan, you can receive savings without sacrificing comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Coastal Service Experts
Truly, you shouldn’t underestimate the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort in summer! If you need air conditioning services sometime soon, look to Coastal Service Experts to resolve your problem fast. Our technicians can help your air conditioner perform as efficiently as possible, ensuring it works together with your ceiling fans to keep your home and family comfortable for less. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with the HVAC pros at Coastal Service Experts.