If the goal is to stay cool without racking up your energy bills, you’ll probably depend on your ceiling fan a great deal this summer. A prevalent approach is to use a fan without AC until it gets very hot, then flip the fan off and try the air conditioner in its place. This is a mistake! Having the ceiling fan and air conditioner simultaneously is the optimal way to optimize comfort and energy savings.
It might feel excessive to use two cooling methods together, but fans make your air conditioner more productive. Consider these five tips to help you get more from your air conditioning system this summer.
Install a Ceiling Fan
First—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, consider installing a few. You should have the ability to change out any light fixture in the heart of the room for a silent, reliable and eye-catching ceiling fan.
Keep in mind that ceiling fans work 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 a minimum of eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings will not benefit the same amount.
As you can imagine, longer fans can move more air than shorter ones. Choose a 36- to 44-inch diameter fan for rooms as much as 225 square feet and 52-inch fans for bigger rooms. You can also install multiple fans in a line to cool rooms longer than 18 feet.
Confirm the Fan’s Direction
Ceiling fans can run in both directions. Verify yours is adjusted to spin counterclockwise during summer. This pushes air back down to make the breeze seem more apparent.
If you’re uncertain whether the fan is rotating the right way, switch it on and sit directly below it. If the breeze appears inadequate for how fast the blades are spinning, you potentially need to change the direction.
Some fans have a remote control, especially if they’re mounted on a vaulted ceiling. Look 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 spin both ways because driving the air upward is useful for decreasing heating expenses in the winter. So when the seasons change, adjust your fan to turn clockwise and keep it on low to circulate warm air around the ceiling back to the living room without creating a breeze. This strategy is particularly beneficial in stairwells and rooms with vaulted ceilings.
Reset the Thermostat
You must adjust the thermostat to fully appreciate energy savings from using a ceiling fan in the summer. Don’t be afraid of feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect created by running a ceiling fan makes the room feel up to 4 degrees cooler. This concept, which can make winter cold unpleasant, is the secret to home comfort and energy savings during the summer.
If you normally keep your house at 75 degrees, try readjusting 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 boost your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season permits you to improve comfort while reducing cooling costs.
Switch Off the Fans in Empty Areas
It’s a popular misconception that ceiling fans bring down the temperature in the room. Yes, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is shift air around. As a result, there’s not a good reason to keep a ceiling fan working in an unoccupied room. Fans may cost pennies on the dollar to run versus air conditioners, but every little bit helps, 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 listed above, you could notice 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 each degree you adjust the thermostat. And by enjoying the wind chill effect formed by the ceiling fan, you can enjoy savings without compromising comfort.
Keep Cool with Help from Midway Services
Simply, you shouldn’t undervalue the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort this summer! If you need air conditioning services at any point, check out Midway Services to address your problem quickly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work as proficiently as possible, ensuring it works together 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 Midway Services.