If your plan is to keep cool without increasing your energy bills, you’ll probably rely on your ceiling fan a great deal this summer. A good approach is to use a fan without AC until it gets excessively hot, then flip the fan off and run the air conditioner when you really need it. This is a mistake! Running the ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously is the optimal way to increase comfort and energy savings.
It may feel excessive to use two cooling methods together, 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 things first—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, consider installing some. You should have the ability to swap out any light fixture in the middle of the room for a quiet, efficient and stylish ceiling fan.
Remember that ceiling fans run 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 the least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings may not benefit as much.
As you can imagine, larger fans can push more air than smaller ones. Go for a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms as much as 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for deeper rooms. You can also install 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 in the summertime. This pushes air back down to make the breeze appear more apparent.
If you’re not sure whether a fan is turning the right way, turn it on and stay straight underneath it. If the breeze feels weak for how fast the blades are rotating, you might need to change the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, particularly if they’re fitted on a vaulted ceiling. Look for a button on the remote to reverse the direction. If your fan doesn’t use a remote, run your hand along the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can rotate both ways because forcing the air upward is useful for cutting down heating costs in the winter. So when the seasons change, set your fan to spin clockwise and run it on low to distribute warm air around the ceiling back to the living room without creating a breeze. This strategy is especially beneficial in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Adjust the Thermostat
You have to adjust the thermostat to fully appreciate energy savings from using a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t concern yourself with feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect created by turning on a ceiling fan makes the room appear about 4 degrees cooler. This principle, which can make winter weather miserable, is the key to home comfort and energy savings for the summer.
If you generally keep your house around 75 degrees, think about setting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to compensate for the wind chill effect produced by using a ceiling fan. Then, change your outfit to boost your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season enables you to improve comfort while reducing cooling costs.
Switch Off the Fans in Unoccupied Areas
It’s a popular misconception that ceiling fans drop the temperature in the 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 working in an unoccupied room. Fans might cost pennies on the dollar to run compared to AC systems, but every little bit counts, so turn off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
Watch Your Energy Savings Grow
If you follow the tips laid out above, you should observe a drop in your air conditioning expenses throughout the summer. After all, you can save approximately 3 percent on your cooling costs for every degree you adjust the thermostat. And by enjoying the wind chill effect formed by the ceiling fan, you can experience savings without losing out on comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Church Services
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, look to Church Services to address your problem promptly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work as proficiently as possible, ensuring it works together 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 Church Services.