If the goal is to keep cool without jacking up your energy bills, you’ll probably depend on your ceiling fan a lot this summer. A prevalent approach is to run a fan without AC until it gets too hot, then flip the fan off and try the air conditioner in its place. This is a mistake! Operating the ceiling fan and air conditioner in unison is the optimal way to improve comfort and energy savings.
It can seem unnecessary to use two cooling methods at the same time, but fans make your air conditioner more efficient. Consider these five tips to help you get more from your AC system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First off—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, think about installing a number of them. You should be able to swap out any light fixture in the heart of the room for a silent, efficient and fashionable ceiling fan.
Keep in mind that ceiling fans function 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 least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings may not benefit the way rooms with lower ceilings will.
As you may imagine, bigger fans can move more air than smaller sized ones. Choose a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms up to 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for deeper rooms. You can also put in multiple fans in a line to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Determine the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can run in both directions. Ensure yours is ready to spin counterclockwise in the summertime. This drives air down to make the breeze seem more apparent.
If you’re unsure whether your fan is spinning the right way, switch it on and stay exactly below it. If the breeze appears low for how fast the blades are turning, you might need to switch the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, in particular if they’re mounted on a vaulted ceiling. Look for a button on the remote to switch the direction. If your fan doesn’t use a remote, check the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can rotate either way because moving the air upward is useful for lowering heating costs in the winter. So when the seasons change, adjust your fan to rotate clockwise and run it on low to disperse warm air around the ceiling back to the living room without creating a breeze. This method is very useful in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Adjust the Thermostat
You should change the thermostat to fully appreciate energy savings from running a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t be afraid of feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect created by using a ceiling fan makes the room feel around 4 degrees cooler. This principle, which can make winter cold particularly bad, is the key to home comfort and energy savings for the summer.
If you typically keep your house around 75 degrees, consider adjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to compensate for the wind chill effect made by using a ceiling fan. Then, change your outfit to enhance your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season enables you to optimize comfort while reducing cooling costs.
Shut Off the Fans in Unoccupied Areas
It’s a widespread misconception that ceiling fans drop the temperature in a room. Sure, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is move air around. As a result, there’s no reason to keep a ceiling fan running in an unused room. Fans may cost pennies on the dollar to operate 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 laid out above, you could observe a drop in your air conditioning bills throughout the summer. After all, you can save approximately 3 percent on your cooling costs for every degree you adjust the thermostat. And by appreciating the wind chill effect produced by the ceiling fan, you can enjoy savings without losing out on comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Midland Air Service Experts
Truly, you shouldn’t overlook the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort in summer! If you need air conditioning services sometime soon, turn to Midland Air Service Experts to solve your problem promptly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner perform as efficiently as possible, ensuring it works together with your ceiling fans to keep your home and family comfortable for less. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with the HVAC pros at Midland Air Service Experts.