If your intent is to stay cool without increasing your energy bills, you’ll likely count on your ceiling fan considerably this summer. A good approach is to run a fan without AC until it gets extremely hot, then switch the fan off and try the air conditioner instead. This is a mistake! Running the ceiling fan and air conditioner together is a great way to optimize comfort and energy savings.
It can feel excessive to use two cooling methods at the same time, but fans make your air conditioner more powerful. Try these five tips to help you get more from your cooling system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First off—if you don’t already have ceiling fans throughout 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, reliable and fashionable 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 have to be at the least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings may not benefit the way rooms with lower ceilings will.
As you may imagine, larger fans can push more air than smaller sized ones. Try 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.
Determine the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can move in both directions. Confirm yours is ready to spin counterclockwise during summer. This forces air downward to make the breeze feel more prominent.
If you’re unsure whether the fan is rotating the right way, turn it on and stay straight beneath it. If the breeze feels inadequate for how fast the blades are turning, you likely need to reverse the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, particularly if they’re mounted 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 both ways because driving the air upward is useful for reducing heating costs in the winter. So when the seasons change, set your fan to turn clockwise and use it on low to circulate warm air near the ceiling back toward the living room without creating a breeze. This method is particularly beneficial in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Reset the Thermostat
You should adjust the thermostat to enjoy energy savings from using a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t stress over feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect created by using a ceiling fan makes the room appear around 4 degrees cooler. This principle, which can make winter conditions unpleasant, is the key to home comfort and energy savings during the summer.
If you usually keep your house at 75 degrees, consider adjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to make up for the wind chill effect produced by using a ceiling fan. Then, adjust your outfit to increase your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season permits you to improve comfort while minimizing cooling costs.
Turn Off the Fans in Empty Areas
It’s a widespread assumption that ceiling fans lower the temperature in the room. Yes, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is push air around. As a result, there’s no reason to keep a ceiling fan running in an unused room. Fans might cost pennies on the dollar to operate compared to air conditioners, but every little bit helps, 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 listed above, you will notice a decrease in your air conditioning expenses throughout the summer. After all, you can save approximately 3 percent on your cooling costs for every degree you increase the thermostat. And by appreciating the wind chill effect created by the ceiling fan, you can experience savings without sacrificing comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Finch Air Conditioning & Heating
Truly, you shouldn’t overlook the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort during summer! If you need air conditioning services sometime soon, turn to Finch Air Conditioning & Heating to resolve your problem promptly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work as effectively as possible, ensuring it works in tandem 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 Finch Air Conditioning & Heating.