If the intent is to stay cool without racking up your energy bills, you’ll likely count on your ceiling fan a great deal this summer. A well-known approach is to use a fan without AC until it gets very hot, then turn the fan off and run the air conditioner instead. This is a mistake! Operating the ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously is the most beneficial way to improve comfort and energy savings.
It may seem redundant to use two cooling methods at the same time, but fans make your air conditioner more powerful. Consider these five tips to help you get more from your AC system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First—if you don’t already have ceiling fans in your home, look into installing some. You should be able to swap out any light fixture in the center of the room for a quiet, effective and stylish ceiling fan.
Bear in mind that ceiling fans run best when the blades will be 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 will not benefit as much.
As you can imagine, bigger fans can move more air than smaller sized ones. Opt for a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms up to 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for larger rooms. You can also install multiple fans in a row to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Check the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can operate in both directions. Confirm yours is ready to spin counterclockwise in the summertime. This pushes air downward to make the breeze seem more obvious.
If you’re not sure whether the fan is rotating the right way, switch it on and sit right underneath it. If the breeze appears inadequate for how fast the blades are spinning, you potentially need to switch the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, especially if they’re installed on a vaulted ceiling. Look for a button on the remote to change the direction. If your fan doesn’t possess a remote, run your hand along the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can spin either way because driving the air upward is useful for decreasing heating expenses in the winter. So when the seasons change, set your fan to rotate clockwise and use it on low to disperse warm air around the ceiling back to the living space without producing a breeze. This strategy is very helpful in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Reset the Thermostat
You have 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 produced by using a ceiling fan makes the room feel up to 4 degrees cooler. This approach, which can make winter conditions unpleasant, is the key to home comfort and energy savings for the summer.
If you ordinarily keep your house at 75 degrees, consider adjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to make up for the wind chill effect created by running a ceiling fan. Then, modify your outfit to enhance your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season permits you to enhance comfort while minimizing cooling costs.
Turn Off the Fans in Empty Areas
It’s a widespread misconception that ceiling fans drop the temperature in the room. Of course, 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 on in an unused room. Fans will cost pennies on the dollar to use in contrast to air conditioners, but every little bit matters, so turn off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
See Your Energy Savings Grow
If you follow the tips featured above, you will observe a drop in your air conditioning bills 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 produced by the ceiling fan, you can experience savings without losing out on comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from A1 Chesney Service Experts
Simply, you shouldn’t underestimate the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort this summer! If you need air conditioning services sometime soon, check out A1 Chesney Service Experts to fix your problem quickly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work as efficiently as possible, ensuring it works along with your ceiling fans to keep your home and family comfortable for less. Contact us today to request an appointment with the HVAC pros at A1 Chesney Service Experts.