If the goal is to keep cool without spiking your energy bills, you’ll certainly depend on your ceiling fan considerably this summer. A good technique is to run a fan without AC until it gets very hot, then flip the fan off and run the air conditioner in its place. This is a mistake! Running the ceiling fan and air conditioner in unison is a great way to improve comfort and energy savings.
It may seem redundant to use two cooling methods together, but fans make your air conditioner more efficient. Consider these five tips to help you get the most from your cooling system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First off—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, look into installing some. You should have the ability to switch out any light fixture in the middle of the room for a smooth, effective and fashionable ceiling fan.
Remember 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 least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings might not benefit the same amount.
As you can imagine, bigger fans can propel more air than smaller ones. Get a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms up to 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for bigger 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 work in both directions. Confirm yours is set to spin counterclockwise during the summer. This forces air downward to make the breeze feel more prominent.
If you’re not sure whether a fan is rotating the right way, turn it on and stand straight under it. If the breeze appears weak for how quickly the blades are turning, you likely need to change the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, especially if they’re put in on a vaulted ceiling. Search for a button on the remote to change the direction. If your fan doesn’t have a remote, run your hand along the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can rotate either way because moving the air upward is useful for decreasing heating expenses in the winter. So when the seasons change, flip your fan to turn clockwise and keep it on low to disperse warm air close to the ceiling back down to the living space without generating a breeze. This approach is very beneficial in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Reset the Thermostat
You must change the thermostat to enjoy energy savings from running a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t stress over feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect created by running a ceiling fan makes the room appear about 4 degrees cooler. This principle, which can make winter weather miserable, is the trick to home comfort and energy savings in the summer.
If you typically keep your house around 75 degrees, consider adjusting 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 increase your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season permits you to maximize comfort while minimizing cooling costs.
Turn Off the Fans in Empty Areas
It’s a common belief that ceiling fans bring down the temperature in a room. Of course, 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 working in an unoccupied room. Fans might cost pennies on the dollar to use in contrast to air conditioners, but every little bit helps, so turn off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
See Your Energy Savings Grow
If you use the tips shown above, you will recognize a decrease in your air conditioning expenses throughout the summer. After all, you can save nearly 3 percent on your cooling costs for each degree you adjust the thermostat. And by using the wind chill effect created by the ceiling fan, you can receive savings without compromising comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Pardee Service Experts
Simply, you shouldn’t underestimate the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort during summer! If you want air conditioning services sometime soon, check out Pardee Service Experts to address your problem promptly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner perform as proficiently 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 Pardee Service Experts.