If your goal is to keep cool without jacking up your energy bills, you’ll likely rely on your ceiling fan all the time this summer. A good approach is to use a fan without AC until it gets extremely hot, then flip the fan off and use 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 might feel excessive to pursue two cooling methods at the same time, but fans make your air conditioner more productive. Consider these five tips to help you get the maximum benefit 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 have the opportunity to change out any light fixture in the center of the room for a silent, reliable and eye-catching ceiling fan.
Don't forget that ceiling fans run best when the blades sit 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 must be at the least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings will not benefit as much.
As you may imagine, longer fans can propel more air than shorter ones. Choose a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms up to 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for larger rooms. You can also put in multiple fans in the same area to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Check the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can spin in both directions. Confirm yours is ready to spin counterclockwise during the summer. This drives air down to make the breeze feel more obvious.
If you’re uncertain whether a fan is rotating the right way, turn it on and stand straight under it. If the breeze seems inadequate for how quickly the blades are spinning, you likely need to reverse the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, usually if they’re fitted on a vaulted ceiling. Check for a button on the remote to reverse the direction. If your fan doesn’t possess a remote, feel around the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can turn both ways because pushing the air upward is useful for lowering heating bills in the winter. So when the seasons change, flip your fan to rotate clockwise and keep it on low to distribute warm air toward the ceiling back toward the living room without producing a breeze. This method is particularly effective in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Turn Up the Thermostat
You need to turn up the thermostat to make the most of energy savings from using a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t worry about feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect made by turning on a ceiling fan makes the room seem about 4 degrees cooler. This principle, which can make winter weather unpleasant, is the secret to home comfort and energy savings for the summer.
If you normally keep your house at 75 degrees, think about setting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to compensate for the wind chill effect created by running a ceiling fan. Then, modify your outfit to increase your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season enables you to enhance comfort while reducing cooling costs.
Switch Off the Fans in Empty Areas
It’s a common belief that ceiling fans drop the temperature in a room. Of course, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is shift air around. As a result, there’s no reason to keep a ceiling fan running in an unoccupied room. Fans will cost pennies on the dollar to run as opposed to AC systems, but every little bit counts, so shut off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
See Your Energy Savings Grow
If you adhere to the tips outlined above, you will recognize a reduction in your air conditioning expenses all summer long. After all, you can save as much as 3 percent on your cooling costs for every degree you adjust the thermostat. And by appreciating the wind chill effect created by the ceiling fan, you can enjoy savings without compromising comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Golden Seal Service Experts
Simply, you shouldn’t underestimate the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort during summer! If you need air conditioning services at any point, choose Golden Seal Service Experts to solve your problem quickly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner run 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 arrange an appointment with the HVAC pros at Golden Seal Service Experts.