Try These Five Tips for Using Ceiling Fans Along with Your AC 

If your plan is to stay cool without racking up your energy bills, you’ll certainly count on your ceiling fan all the time this summer. A good technique is to operate a fan without AC until it gets very hot, then flip the fan off and run the air conditioner instead. This is a mistake! Having the ceiling fan and air conditioner at the same time is the most beneficial way to optimize comfort and energy savings. 

It can feel redundant to try two cooling methods together, but fans make your air conditioner more effective. Use these five tips to help you get the most from your AC system this summer. 

Install a Ceiling Fan 

First—if you don’t already have ceiling fans all over your home, think about installing some. You should have the opportunity to switch out any light fixture in the center of the room for a smooth, efficient and eye-catching ceiling fan. 

Bear 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 must be at the least eight-feet high, and rooms with vaulted ceilings may not benefit as much. 

As you might imagine, bigger fans can move more air than smaller ones. Choose 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 line to cool rooms longer than 18 feet. 

Determine the Fan’s Direction 

Ceiling fans can operate in both directions. Verify yours is adjusted to spin counterclockwise during summer. This pushes air downward to make the breeze seem more obvious. 

If you’re not sure whether the fan is rotating the right way, turn it on and stand straight below it. If the breeze seems low for how rapidly the blades are turning, you potentially need to reverse 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 reverse the direction. If your fan doesn’t use a remote, inspect the motor housing for a reversing switch. 

Ceiling fans can turn either way because pushing the air upward is useful for reducing heating bills in the winter. So when the seasons change, set your fan to spin clockwise and use it on low to disperse warm air around the ceiling back toward the living space without producing a breeze. This strategy is very effective 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 concern yourself with feeling uncomfortable—the “wind chill” effect made by running a ceiling fan makes the room appear up to 4 degrees cooler. This approach, which can make winter weather particularly bad, is the trick to home comfort and energy savings during the summer. 

If you typically keep your house about 75 degrees, consider readjusting the thermostat to 77 or 78 degrees to make up for the wind chill effect produced by running a ceiling fan. Then, adjust your outfit to improve your comfort level even more. Dressing for the season allows you to improve comfort while lowering cooling costs. 

Turn Off the Fans in Unoccupied Areas 

It’s a widespread misconception that ceiling fans bring down the temperature in a room. Sure, they make you feel cooler, but all they do is move air around. As a result, there’s not a good reason to keep a ceiling fan on in an empty room. Fans will cost pennies on the dollar to operate in contrast to AC systems, but every little bit helps, so switch off the fan if you’re the last person to leave the room. 

Watch Your Energy Savings Grow 

If you adhere to the tips detailed above, you will recognize a reduction in your air conditioning expenses throughout the summer. After all, you can save up to 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 experience savings without giving up comfort. 

Keep Cool with Help from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 

Truly, you shouldn’t overlook the impact ceiling fans can have on your home comfort this summer! If you need air conditioning services at any time, check out Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to address your problem promptly. Our technicians can help your air conditioner work as proficiently 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 Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.