If your intent is to stay cool without racking up your energy bills, you’ll certainly rely on your ceiling fan a lot this summer. A common technique is to use a fan without AC until it gets extremely hot, then flip the fan off and run the air conditioner when you really need it. This is a mistake! Running the ceiling fan and air conditioner in unison is the most beneficial way to increase comfort and energy savings.
It might feel redundant to use two cooling methods simultaneously, but fans make your air conditioner more powerful. Try these five tips to help you get the most from your cooling system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First things first—if you don’t already have ceiling fans in your home, think about installing a few. You should have the ability to switch out any light fixture in the heart of the room for a smooth, reliable and fashionable ceiling fan.
Don't forget that ceiling fans work 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 a minimum of 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 move more air than smaller sized ones. Try a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms approximately 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for bigger rooms. You can also install multiple fans in the same area 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 summer. This pushes air downward to make the breeze seem more prominent.
If you’re uncertain whether your fan is turning the right way, turn it on and stand directly beneath it. If the breeze seems weak 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 have a remote, check the motor housing for a reversing switch.
Ceiling fans can turn either way because moving the air upward is useful for cutting down heating bills in the winter. So when the seasons change, adjust your fan to rotate clockwise and use it on low to disperse warm air toward the ceiling back to the living room without creating a breeze. This method is especially effective in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Reset the Thermostat
You need to turn up the thermostat to enjoy energy savings from using a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t concern yourself with feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect made by turning on a ceiling fan makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. This concept, which can make winter conditions unpleasant, is the secret to home comfort and energy savings in the summer.
If you typically keep your house around 75 degrees, try setting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to compensate for the wind chill effect created by running a ceiling fan. Then, switch up your outfit to enhance your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season allows you to enhance comfort while minimizing cooling costs.
Shut Off the Fans in Unusued Areas
It’s a popular assumption that ceiling fans lower the temperature in the room. Sure, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is move air around. As a result, there’s never a reason to keep a ceiling fan on in an unused room. Fans might cost pennies on the dollar to use versus air conditioners, but every little bit counts, so switch off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room.
See Your Energy Savings Grow
If you follow the tips listed above, you should recognize a decrease in your air conditioning costs all summer long. After all, you can save approximately 3 percent on your cooling costs for every degree you adjust the thermostat. And by taking advantage of the wind chill effect created by the ceiling fan, you can enjoy savings without sacrificing comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from BW/Cook Service Experts
Plainly, you shouldn’t undervalue the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort in summer! If you want air conditioning services sometime soon, check out BW/Cook Service Experts to solve your problem fast. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work as efficiently as possible, ensuring it works in tandem with your ceiling fans to keep your home and family comfortable for less. Contact us today to arrange an appointment with the HVAC pros at BW/Cook Service Experts.